Dyslexia

Words can be difficult to read for many different reasons!

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a hidden disability that hinders the learning of literacy and numeracy skills. It does not compromise intelligence and thus dyslexic children may have a great deal of potential. However, due to the individual way that dyslexic people learn, traditional teaching methods do not always cater for them appropriately. It may be because of this that a dyslexic child is often seen to struggle at school.

Dyslexia is a very complex specific learning difficulty because of the number of characteristics associated with it, such as:

  • Difficulties encoding words – spelling
  • Difficulties decoding words – single word identification
  • Poor sequencing skills
  • Poor short-term memory
  • Lack of phonological awareness
  • Confusion about left and right
  • Problems with reading comprehension
  • Difficulties with mathematics
  • Difficulties with musical notation
  • Poor handwriting
  • Difficulties expressing thoughts orally

It is rare for a dyslexic child to have all of the characteristics of dyslexia. The number, type and severity of the characteristics vary amongst dyslexic individuals.

The characteristics listed above are often referred to as the primary characteristics of dyslexia but these can be the cause of further problems. Dyslexia can cause frustration and a lack of self-esteem, which can be manifested in disruptive and/or bad behaviour. Some dyslexic children become very withdrawn and their lack of confidence can cause further social problems.

How do I know if my child is dyslexic?

Because of its complex nature dyslexia requires identification through a full formal assessment, conducted by a chartered educational psychologist but a specially qualified teacher can give an informed opinion about educational progress.

Dyslexia is relatively common; it affects approximately 10 per cent of the population to varying degrees, four per cent severely. It can affect anyone, at any age.

If the answer to the majority of the following questions is ‘yes’, you would be wise to seek further advice.

Does your child:

  • Make unexpected errors when reading aloud, miss words out or read the wrong word?
  • Take ages to read something and understand it?
  • Have difficulties with spelling?
  • Have difficulties copying from the blackboard?
  • Excel at some things while having difficulties with others?
  • Has/had difficulties learning times tables, days of the week or months of the year?
  • Find it difficult to remember a series of numbers, such as a telephone number?
  • Find it difficult to remember a list of instructions?
  • Confuse left and right?
  • Confuse names or objects or use Spoonerisms e.g. par cark?
  • Find it difficult to learn songs?
  • Appear to have miss-heard what you have asked him/her?

It is possible to have a child assessed as young as five years but many parents do suspect dyslexia in their under-fives. If you suspect that your child is dyslexic at an early age then there are things that you can do at this stage. The Dyslexia Institute produces an informative booklet called Helping the Young Child, which is available from their Head Office.

If you suspect that your child is dyslexic it is imperative that this is recognised at the earliest possible stage. If the problem is not known it is very difficult to be able to help appropriately.

How can I help my dyslexic child?

For many parents it is a great relief to have an explanation for their child’s difficulties, but what next?

One of the most important things to realise about dyslexia is that it is a very individual problem and thus each dyslexic child’s difficulties should be dealt with at an individual level.

Dyslexia is not a disease and therefore it cannot be cured or treated. However, it is possible to help a dyslexic child learn to cope and eventually overcome their difficulties.

The Dyslexia Institute believes that the best way to help a dyslexic individual of any age is through multi-sensory specialist tuition, with a specialist teacher. This sort of teaching is designed to use the individual’s strengths to help with their weaknesses.

The Institute has also produced a resource that parents can use at home with their child called the DIY Readers Support Pack for Parents. To purchase a copy please contact the Dyslexia Institute’s Trading company on 01784 222300 or visit the Trading Company Online at

Further tips for parents

  • Try not to get frustrated with your child. Many dyslexic children will spell a word correctly and then later not be able to spell the same word. This often makes the child appear lazy but often their difficulties cause these sorts of spelling phenomena.
  • Emphasis on literacy skills tends to overshadow other talents and abilities that a dyslexic child may have. Dyslexic people are often creative, original, lateral thinkers. They devise their own, often highly successful, if rather unusual route to problem- solving. Because they have to try so hard to succeed, many dyslexic people develop qualities of determination and attention to detail which are valuable in later life. Try to be as encouraging as possible and focus on your child’s strengths. This can help to build a dyslexic child’s confidence.
  • Many parents worry that they are being over-anxious or are perhaps looking for an excuse for their child’s slow progress. Trust your instincts. If your child seems very bright but is showing signs of a learning difficulty, arrange to have your child assessed. If your child is not dyslexic at least you will have ruled this out.
  • Some parents feel that they do not want to give their child a label. Dyslexia is not a label; it is a word that describes why a child is having difficulties.
  • It is very upsetting and frustrating for a parent to watch their child struggle and many feel that they failed as a parent in some way. Dyslexia is no one’s fault and with the correct help, many of the problems which it can bring can be alleviated.