What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.  Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points. Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor coordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia. A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds or has responded to well-founded intervention.' 

In addition to these characteristics, the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) acknowledges the visual and auditory processing difficulties that some individuals with dyslexia can experience and points out that dyslexic readers can show a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process. Some also have strengths in other areas, such as design, problem-solving, creative skills, interactive skills and oral skills. 

(BDA 2012)

● They are bright and articulate but when it comes to putting pen to paper they really struggle

● They surprise you and their teachers because in every other way they are bright and alert

● They love listening to stories but do not enjoy reading for themselves

● They find it difficult to rhyme

● They have good and bad days for no apparent reason

● They muddle up their words eg ‘psketti’ for ‘spaghetti’

● They sometimes have difficulty thinking of the correct word for something

● They put letters and numbers the wrong way round

● They confuse b and d and no and on

● They have a poor sense of direction

● They confuse left and right

● They are generally disorganised

● They confuse places dates and times

● They have great difficulty with spelling

● They have difficulty with remembering common sequences such as the days of the week, the months of the year and the alphabet 

● They have difficulty recalling number bonds and times tables

● You have spoken to the school but they say ‘he/she will grow out of it’

● You are still very concerned and your gut feeling is that something is not right

An individual with Dyslexia will NOT have all of these symptoms but they WILL have several of them.

If you feel you or your child may fit this profile please contact me for an individual conversation.