What Is Dyslexia?

1 in 10 of the UK population are affected

A specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the ability to learn to read and spell.

It affects the ability to learn to read and spell.
It involves difficulties in dealing with the sounds of words, which makes it especially hard to learn to use phonics to read words.
Dyslexia is a life-long condition which has a substantial effect on an individual’s day to day activities and is classed as a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
It can affect short-term memory and speed of recalling names.
Dyslexia varies from person to person; no two people have the same strengths and weaknesses

People with dyslexia often have strengths in reasoning, in visual and creative fields; dyslexia is not related to general intelligence; and is not the result of visual difficulties.
Dyslexia usually runs in families, but there is still much that can be done, especially if intervention is given early.
Many people learn strategies to manage the effects of dyslexia, but it does not go away and its effects may be felt in new situations or in times of stress.

People with dyslexia often, but do not always, show characteristics of other specific learning difficulties such as dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder or dyscalculia.