Useful Information About Dyslexia

This page contains some basic information about dyslexia and related issues.
It also tells you where to go for more detailed information.
Click on a question, or read through the whole page.
There are short answers to the following questions:

• What is dyslexia?
  
  
• How can you tell if a person is dyslexic?
  
  
• How can dyslexic people learn and make progress?
  
  
• How can school help my dyslexic child?
  
  
• How can I find out more?
  
  

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Dyslexic people find it particularly difficult to learn to read, write and/or spell, even though their abilities in other ways may be average or better. They usually also have an unusual pattern of strengths and weaknesses in other areas.

Dyslexic people often feel as if their mind is 'differently wired' from other people.

The British Dyslexia Association describes dyslexia as follows:

Dyslexia is best described as a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing.

Accompanying weaknesses may be identified in areas of speed of processing, short-term memory, sequencing and organisation, auditory and/or visual perception, spoken language and motor skills.

It is particularly related to mastering and using written language, which may include alphabetic, numeric and musical notation.

Some dyslexics have outstanding creative skills, others have strong oral skills. Some have no outstanding talents. All have strengths.

Dyslexia can occur despite normal intellectual ability and teaching. It is independent of socio-economic or language background.

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There is no simple answer to this question, because all dyslexic people are different. The people who can make a definite diagnosis of dyslexia are qualified professionals, who would need to make a detailed individual assessment.

There are various simpler (and less costly) tests, called dyslexia screening tests, which identify signs of possible dyslexia, and assess the risk of a person's being dyslexic.

There are some signs to look out for if you are wondering whether a person might be dyslexic:

• Difficulty with reading/writing (or had difficulty as a child)
• Inconsistent spelling - tends to leave letters out or reverse letter order
• Difficulty remembering lists, telephone numbers, spoken instructions etc
• Difficulty telling right from left or reading maps
• Disorganised in day-to-day life - forgets appointments, loses possessions
• Difficulty organising written work - reports, essays etc (adults and teenagers)
• Difficulty learning a foreign language (adults and teenagers)
• Lack of confidence in own abilities -poor self esteem and motivation (older children and adults)
• An unusual balance of strengths and weaknesses
• May be very creative
• May be a good problem solver.

A list like this is only a very rough indicator of possible dyslexia, but if several of these items seem to apply, it might be worth further investigation.

You can find longer lists of indicators, organised by the age of the individual, on the British Dyslexia Association website. Look at the information pages for adults or parents.

NDA can carry out dyslexia screening tests on adults.
NDA also offers adult assessments carried out by teachers with an appropriate specialist dyslexia qualification.
There is a charge for these services, but funding may be available to offer them free to eligible adults
NDA can provide contact details for local educational psychologists who carry out private assessments.

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Many dyslexic people learn to cope with their difficulties, to make good use of their areas of strength and to become successful and fulfilled individuals. They develop strategies which compensate for areas of weakness, and use strengths.

Dyslexic people are likely to find learning skills like reading and writing much harder than others, but they can be helped by careful, systematic teaching.
There are well-established methods for teaching reading and writing to dyslexic people, and with patience and hard work, they are effective. Many dyslexic people learn to read and write well, though spelling often continues to be a weakness.

Dyslexic children learn most easily if their difficulty is identified early, and appropriate teaching methods are introduced ... but it's never too late to start.

Dyslexic adults, teenagers and older children benefit from understanding their individual learning style and pattern of strengths and weaknesses. That way, they can study and work in a way which is most likely to be successful. They can consciously learn strategies appropriate to their learning style.

Dyslexic people often find it helpful to use technological aids such as computer packages. This frees them from some of the effort involved in written work, and allows them to concentrate on the parts of their work they do best.

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Teachers expect to adjust the way they teach to meet the needs of the individual child. Some mildly dyslexic children learn well with this basic adjustment. Other children may need extra help and special teaching methods. This help is usually given at mainstream schools, within the pattern of a normal school day. Parents who are concerned about the way their child is coping at school might start by discussing the issues with their child's class or form teacher.

State schools in England and Wales are required by law to "identify, assess and make provision for" their pupils' special needs, which may include dyslexia. Every school must write a document, the Special Educational Needs Policy, which sets out their plan for making sure that this requirement is met. Parents can get a copy from the school on request. There should be a system for monitoring the progress of children who are having particular difficulties and adjusting the teaching methods until satisfactory progress is made. Every child has a right to be given access to the full curriculum.

Independent schools differ greatly in the provision they make for dyslexic children. Schools should be willing to give parents and prospective parents a policy statement, and to explain what provision is available.

Dyslexic children may need help with other skills as well as reading and writing. Their work in other areas of the curriculum may needed to be adjusted so that they can work at an appropriate level in spite of poor reading and/or writing. They may need a different approach in learning maths. As they grow up, they need to be taught to recognise their own learning style, and to approach learning in a way which makes good use of their strengths.

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There is a great deal of more detailed information on the web.

If you want to know more, we suggest that you start with the British Dyslexia Association website, which has a very useful selection of information pages and lots more besides.

If you have not found the information you need, or if you need advice concerning dyslexia, you might wish to discuss your problem by phone or email. Click here to find out how to contact an appropriate person.

Nottinghamshire Dyslexia Association
is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 3941946
and a registered charity no. 1082345.
Registered office - Sherwood House, 7 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 6LB