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You might be wondering what mental health has to do with dyslexia, after all it’s a neurological condition not a mental health issue but left undiagnosed it can have a devastating impact which can lead to longer term mental health problems.

Although it’s commonly believed to be a difficulty with reading and writing, in reality that is a consequence of dyslexia. In fact, dyslexia is a neurological issue which affects the way the brain processes information. This means that anyone with dyslexia can have difficulty processing and remembering information and it can impact on many areas of life, not only reading accurately and writing fluently, but also organisational skills, coordination and memory.

But this same neurological difference can mean that dyslexics often have real strengths in reasoning and creative or visual fields. Having dyslexia is absolutely not a sign of a child’s intelligence, it’s actually the gap between their ability and achievement. Once that gap has been identified it’s just a case of working out the best way to bridge it.

Buying the perfect gift is never easy, no matter who you are buying for, but the great news is there are a wide variety of toys and games out there that are fun to play whilst also having an added educational benefit for dyslexic children. This matters, because although we’re all in need of a rest by the time the big day finally arrives, it’s really important for dyslexic children to make sure that a break from school doesn’t result in a complete break from learning and progressing.

Children with dyslexia often have to work harder than non-dyslexic children and so they are determined to prove how dyslexia will not hold them back. It can be frustrating for them so as a parent/guardian or teacher, it’s worth taking the time to really listen and understand the child and the struggles they are facing.

Every individual with dyslexia experiences it differently and will have a mix of strengths and difficulties. They are often strong in other areas such as creativity and have the ability to think outside the box so you help them to make the most of their dyslexic skills.

It’s important to spread awareness about dyslexia so it is understood more, and people can spot the signs and get a diagnosis. This will open up a world of support and allows accessibility to resources and ways of doing things to be easier.

Dyslexia shouldn’t hold a person back, no matter what age. Every year in October there is dyslexia awareness week but we should strive to raise awareness all year round.

Most of us have heard of dyslexia but there are still misconceptions.

School can be an exciting but also daunting period for a child as well as the parents/guardians, whether that be starting a new school or going into a new year group.  

October is often when the first parents evening of the academic year takes place. This is a time for teachers to talk about how your child is performing in school but it’s also a time to voice any concerns you may have.  

You may have noticed indicators of dyslexia when your child is at home doing day to day tasks or when they are completing their homework. It is also more likely that your child will have dyslexia if your family has a history of it.  

It’s tempting to give children a break from reading and writing over the summer holidays, and in some ways they do need to relax from the structured learning of a school environment. Dyslexic children in particular will appreciate a change of approach away from the classroom. However, once they are back at school, it is equally important to keep the momentum going at home too, albeit in a more fun way.

I did my Batchelor of Education degree at Liverpool University. My first school I taught at was an old grammar school; it was like the secret garden, it looked horrible from the outside, but really beautiful inside and at the rear as it looked out on to a nature reserve. I said this at my interview and apparently that’s what got me the job.

Dyslexia isn’t caused by visual problems, flipping letters or reading letters backwards, and it is certainly not related to intelligence. It is the result of a brain with a different organization making reading and writing more difficult. In order to understand what is happening in a Dyslexic person’s brain, it is useful to learn about the four areas in the brain that we use for reading and which must be connected to make reading an effortless process. Together they form a reading circuit that links these different areas of the brain and then runs at a speed so fast it’s practically automatic.