What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It is estimated that up to 1 in 10 people struggle with dyslexia, and it is common in both children and adults.
Below we introduce you to dyslexia, answering your common questions around the disability.
What does dyslexia mean?
As a Greek word meaning ‘difficulty with words’, dyslexia was first associated as a learning disability in 1887 when a German ophthalmologist, Rudolf Berlin, used it in place of ‘word blindness’, after observing the difficulties his patients found when reading.
What are the signs of dyslexia?
The signs will vary between child and adult, and we have a useful checklist on our website.
When a child starts school and begins to learn reading and writing, the signs will become more apparent. They may struggle with letters, simple rhymes (such as cat and mat) and confuse the direction of letters when writing (for example writing ‘big’ instead of ‘dig’).
They’ll understand information verbally, but when it comes to recording it, they may struggle.
In response, individuals with dyslexia tend to naturally gravitate towards other areas such as creative thinking and problem-solving tasks.
Will dyslexia go away?
Dyslexia is a lifelong learning disability and it impacts how your child begins to learn and will further have an impact on their further education and working life. In fact, those with dyslexia face higher rates of anxiety and depression because of how it can impact day to day life.
A 2020 report by the British Dyslexia Association stated that ‘88% of parents say their child has poor self-esteem because of their dyslexia.’
Read our tips for how to manage your child’s wellbeing in our blog.
What does dyslexia feel like?
This video explains the feelings, emotions and struggles an individual with dyslexia experiences each day, and how a dyslexia assessment helped him understand why he felt different to other children in the school.
Can dyslexia be cured?
No, dyslexia can’t be cured but dyslexic individuals can learn methods to help them in everyday tasks.
Having a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment is the first step to ensuring that the dyslexic individual receives the correct specialist support, strategies and interventions that they need to succeed and to make progress.
The benefits of a dyslexia diagnosis
A dyslexia diagnosis is life-enhancing. It can turn the negative aspects of normal life into positive experiences that shine a light on the individual.
In most cases, children and parents have reported how a diagnosis changed how they felt about themselves, around others and in education or work.
Read our blog, A Clear Path With a Dyslexia Assessment for more detail.
About Dyslexia First
Dyslexia First provides first-class dyslexia assessments for children and adults across the North West.
Owner Michala Morton has worked in the field of Special Needs for over 20 years, across a wide range of educational settings, and works closely with The British Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Association assessing children and adults.
Based in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, Dyslexia First is conveniently accessible by train, linking to Central Liverpool, Manchester and cities within an hour’s commute.
By helping you to get the right support, a world of possibilities will open, that might not have seemed accessible before.
Contact us to discuss your assessment needs at michala@dyslexia-first.co.uk or call 07711 904 589.
Editors note: This post was originally published in 2021 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
What is dyslexia? The new definition
Historically the definition for dyslexia has caused confusion for professionals and parents alike, and an urgent need to review the definition.
Now the Delphi Definition comes into play, a new definition for dyslexia with an emphasis on processing skills and fluency. Read more in our blog.
Increasing Awareness of Dyslexia – and dispelling the myths
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.
A Student’s Guide to the DSA
If you or your child is going to University this Autumn and diagnosed as dyslexic, did you know that you are eligible for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)?
In our Student’s Guide to the DSA, we share how you can prepare for the application process to avoid delays and get the help you need to reach your full potential.
Exam Season Tips and Support for Dyslexics: How to Prepare and Succeed
With exam season fast approaching, dyslexic students can often face additional challenges in preparing for and sitting exams.
In this blog post, we’ll provide advice and tips for dyslexic students and also offer guidance on how teachers, parents, and friends can support them during this time. Let’s help empower dyslexic learners and leave them feeling confident walking into exams!
Why Rest Breaks Matter for Dyslexic Students: Unlocking Their Full Potential
As exam season approaches, we look at the importance of rest breaks for dyslexic learners and share our top tips to make rest breaks most effective.
How Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Dyslexic Challenges?
Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning are becoming a part of every day life. We look at how Artificial Intelligence applications and tools are dyslexic individuals to overcome common challenges associated with dyslexia.
