Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading, writing and information processing. It involves difficulties with recognising speech sounds and understanding their relation to letters and words, spelling, and visual-verbal response. These difficulties typically result from differences in function in areas of the brain that are responsible for processing language.

Reviewed October 2022 (details below)

The content on this page is provided solely for information purposes and provides an overview of the subject matter covered. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are living with this disability, condition or chronic illness, please seek further information. The information on this page is subject to change without notice

Dyslexia is an invisible disability 

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    Common Dyslexia is the most common specific learning disability. 
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    1 in 10 of the world’s population are estimated to have dyslexia. 
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    No Link There is no link between dyslexia and intelligence.
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    Runs in families Parents with dyslexia are highly likely to have children with dyslexia.
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    All backgrouds People from all backgrounds are equally affected by dyslexia. 

Although dyslexia is characterised by impaired reading and writing ability, it is not due to intelligence or other reading or writing problems caused by hearing and visual conditions.

Dyslexia is a lifelong disability that causes individuals to experience challenges on a day-to-day basis. However, changes to the environment can affect the nature and extent of difficulties experienced.

Signs of Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects everyone differently with their own profile of strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common signs of dyslexia are outlined here:

  • Slow reading and writing.
  • Problems with spelling.
  • Omitting words or letters when writing or reading.
  • Writing letters, the wrong way (for instance, writing “d” instead of “b”).
  • Difficulty with math.
  • Spending longer time to complete tasks that involve reading or writing.
  • Confusion with visually similar words such as “bat” and “bot”.

Sources:

Acacia Learning: https://acacialearning.com/blog/human-resources/supporting-dyslexia-in-the-workplace/

British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/how-can-i-support-my-dyslexic-employees/reasonable-adjustments-in-the-workplace

British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice

International Dyslexia Org: https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics/

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyslexia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353552

NHS UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/symptoms/

People Management UK: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1755077/why-hr-tailor-recruitment-process-candidates-dyslexia

The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity: https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/dyslexia-faq/

Understood Org: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-employee-with-dyslexia

 

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The content on this page is provided solely for information purposes and has been kindly reviewed by British Dyslexia Association (Oct 2022).

For more information, please visit British Dyslexia Association.

The content on this page is provided solely for information purposes and provides an overview of the subject matter covered. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information on this page is subject to change without notice

 

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