What is Dyslexia?
The word dyslexia has its roots in Greek. “Dys” means difficulty, while “lexia” means words or language. Many people think it is a difficulty with reading, spelling, handwriting or even seeing letters, but this is only part of the picture. Dyslexia can impact many areas of learning – and it is often a source of gifts and talents too!
What is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SPLD)?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty (SPLD). This is an umbrella term that is often used in schools to describe difficulties in certain skills. It is different from General Learning Difficulties, a term used to describe pupils with difficulties in all areas of learning. Many practitioners prefer the term “Specific Learning Difference” because it describes a pattern of strengths and weaknesses; there are often positives from having dyslexia as well as negatives.
Other specific learning difficulties include dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
Definitions of Dyslexia
The most commonly recognised description of dyslexia can be found in Sir Jim Rose’s Report on ‘Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties’, written in 2009, as follows:
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 (the ability to discriminate and manipulate speech sounds)
- verbal memory
- 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 co-ordination, 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.
The NHS description of dyslexia is also helpful:
“Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It’s a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing. Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn’t affected. It’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. Dyslexia is a lifelong problem that can present challenges on a daily basis, but support is available to improve reading and writing skills and help those with the problem be successful at school and work.”
Dyslexia: what it is and what it isn’t
There are many suppositions about the causes of dyslexia, not all of which are based on scientific evidence. It is useful to think of dyslexia as an umbrella term: no two individuals with dyslexia present with the same learning profile.
Pupils with dyslexia who have slow processing speed may have difficulty keeping up in class.
Pupils with dyslexia whose memory is weak may appear to be off task frequently and forget instructions.
Those with poor phonological awareness are likely to have difficulty learning to read and spell. Some pupils with dyslexia may find maths difficult as well, and vocabulary is a challenge for some. Some pupils with dyslexia are very articulate but their writing does not match their oral ability; others get lost in their speech and have word finding difficulties. This variation is known as neurodiversity.
FACT SHEET
You may also find this “essential fact sheet about dyslexia” useful
What is it like to have Dyslexia?
For learners with dyslexia and reading difficulties, the experience of school can be exhausting, demoralising and overwhelming. A sense of failure can lead to a vicious cycle of negative self-belief. This can lead to disruptive behaviour, isolation, shyness or even acting the class joker.
Famous people with dyslexia
Many people with dyslexia however have learnt to overcome their difficulties and built successful careers. Some talk about their story with a view to helping others.
Watch these inspiring films about how famous dyslexics have overcome their difficulties:
The Power of Dyslexia
Richard Branson
Jamie Oliver
Thinking Differently: Dyslexia as a difference not a difficulty
It can be useful to think of dyslexia as a “learning difference”. This term can be an extremely helpful way to support pupils in building on their strengths. This film will give you further insight.
Today in Y6 we looked at poems that could be read forwards & backwards. I was stunned by this one written by one of my 10 year olds. Please share - I would love her work to be appreciated further afield. I wonder if it could even find a publisher? pic.twitter.com/tmEQpiRrhq
— Jb5Jane💙 (@Jb5Jane) February 27, 2019
One example of how thinking differently about dyslexia can change pupil’s schooling experience can be found in this poem, which was written by a 10 year old girl with dyslexia in Hertfordshire. The poem is a reverse poem designed to be read line by line forwards, then backwards.