Dyslexia - How to understand a Specific Learning Difficulties
- Mable Green
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects the processing of language-related information in the brain. With an average to above-average intelligence they can suceed with educational support.
'Nessy' was designed for children with Dyslexia and is now for whole class learning of phonics, maths, typing and early reading.
Nessy's Dyslexia Explained
Stats
1 in 5 people in the world is Dyslexic
80% leave school without being diagnosed
91% of teachers do not know how to support a child with Dyslexia
Common characteristics of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a brain-based difference in how we process information, which impacts reading, writing, and organisation in life.
Signs of Dyslexia in Primary-aged children
Slow processing speed, including slow-spoken or slow-written language
Poor and or inconsistent spelling
Poor handwriting
Mixing letters and numbers, omitting or getting them back to front (b and d)
Forgetfulness
Struggling to follow instructions or directions
Difficulty with concentration
Being easily distracted.
Signs of Dyslexia in Teenagers
Any of the above plus
A disparity between the way they communicate verbally and what they write on paper. Unwilling to read aloud, Poor comprehension skills, Struggling to stay organised and meet homework demands, Difficulty coping and taking notes, Social and Behaviour difficulties, Fatigue, positive dislike for reading and writing,
and /or school in general. Website - How to support children with Dyslexia in the classroom
What if we viewed dyslexia as a learning and processing style rather than a disorder? Reading and spelling challenges are trade-offs resulting from an entirely different brain organisation and information processing pattern. Dyslexic people possess powerful advantages, including incredible pattern detection, creativity, problem-solving and more.
Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide use their impressive backgrounds in neurology and education to debunk the standard deficit-based approach to dyslexia. People typically define "dyslexia" as a reading and spelling disorder. However, through published research studies, clinical observations, and interviews with dyslexic individuals, the Eides prove that these challenges are not dyslexia's main features but are trade-offs resulting from an entirely different pattern of brain organisation and information processing with powerful advantages.
How does Dyslexia affect learning?
Reading and writing tasks can be significantly slower for dyslexic individuals because of the effort required to decode words and organise thoughts on paper.
Poor phonological awareness
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognise and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. People with dyslexia often have difficulties with this, impacting their reading and spelling abilities.
Processing information
Remembering information that is seen and heard can be difficult. This makes learning and acquiring skills challenging because the brain can't keep them in place long enough to process and store them. Poor memory also makes remembering sequences, numbers, and letters, as well as planning and organising, difficult.
Dyslexic Strengths
Grasping an overview and 3D thinking
Visualisation, visual-spatial skills and design
Art, imagination, and creativity
Good people skills
Multitasking
Innovation
Problem-solving
Free thinking and making unexpected links.
Visionary thinkers
Dyslexia - a specific learning difficulty
Dyslexia is not related to a lack of intelligence or effort. It is a lifelong condition that can vary in severity from person to person. Early diagnosis and intervention, such as specialised reading programs and educational support, can significantly improve an individual's ability to overcome the challenges associated with dyslexia and succeed in academics and other areas of life. Additionally, many individuals with dyslexia develop compensatory strategies and strengths in problem-solving, creativity, and visual thinking.
Click here for the diagnosis Process.
More information about Dyslexia
British Dyslexia Association is a charity working to support Dyslexics since 1972
The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust is a Department for Education website
Dyslexia Research Trust helps with reading difficulties
Parenting a child with a learning disability - Disabilityadvice.org
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