Dyslexia affects 10% of the UK population, with 4% severely affected, including famous faces such as Jamie Oliver, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom. It is a common belief that boys are affected more than girls but this has not been proven. Girls tend to be more withdrawn when they have problems so that those around them are not aware of the struggle that they have. It has been found that in some ethnic groups dyslexia is not well understood or there is a stigma attached so they are reluctant to come forward about it.

What is dyslexia and is there a known cause of the condition?

Dyslexia is a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing. There may be difficulties for example with speed of processing information, short-term memory, organisation, sequencing, spoken language and motor skills. No two dyslexics are the same.

Throughout their school career a dyslexic child may display these ‘tell tale’ signs:

• Appear bright and able, but unable to get their thoughts down on paper;
• Have areas in which they excel, particularly in drama, art and debating;
• Clumsiness;
• Disorganisation or forgetfulness e.g. over sports equipment, lessons, homework, appointments;
• Processing problems at speed;
• Misunderstanding complicated questions;
• Become withdrawn and isolated, sitting at the back and not participating;
• Able to do one thing at a time very well but unable to remember an entire list;
• Go home exhausted at the end of a normal day because they have had to put so much effort into learning;
• Be bullied.

There are also more age specific signs, primary school children may show:

• A poor sense of direction and confusion between left and right;
• Pronounced reading difficulties, specifically look out for-
  • Hesitant or laboured reading;
  • Omitted lines or repetition of the same line or loss of place in the text;
  • Difficulties in saying multi syllabic words;
• Confusion of similar letters, like ‘b’ and ‘d’, ‘p’ and ‘q’ and ‘w’ and ‘m’- resulting in bizarre spelling.

If the child has a cluster of difficulties together with abilities in specific areas, they may be dyslexic.

Fortunately every learner has strengths and for the dyslexic child these may typically include:

• Being creative, maybe artistic;
• Having ‘hands on’ and design skills;
• Being a good ‘lateral thinker’;
• Having great interpersonal or social skills.

How teachers can help?

Screening of all young children would help to flag up those with possible dyslexic difficulties.  There is a list of screening tests on the BDA website (http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/schools-colleges-and-universities/sreening-and-assessments.html).  It is important to remember that a screening test is not a diagnosis and only gives the probability of dyslexic difficulties.  No screening test is 100% accurate and there may be bright, well compensated dyslexic pupils on a good day, who do not show up when they should.  The results of the test should not be taken in isolation, but considered with information about the pupil in the round, preferably by a teacher with some training in dyslexia.

The earlier a child’s dyslexia is identified and given specialist support, the sooner the child will be able to access the curriculum. There is no mileage in adopting a wait-and-see approach.  Leaving a child to fail can do serious psychological damage. There is no ‘magic’ age at which it is appropriate to assess a child for dyslexia: this should be done as soon as the difficulties become apparent.

What approaches work?

Ideally, dyslexics need to be taught by specialist dyslexia teachers in a multi-sensory way so that their particular difficulties can be worked on in a way that is helpful for the young person. It is important not to overload them with instructions or criticisms, as they can have a negative impact. Multi-sensory teaching methods are clear and simple in their approach, using more of the senses, especially the use of touch and movement. This will give the brain tactile memories to hang on to, as well as the visual and auditory ones.

Where can I find out more information?

The British Dyslexia Association has a website with extensive information: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia.html or call their National Helpline on 0845 251 9002, which is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and also late from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The BDA also run a number of low cost training courses to help parents, teachers and others understand and support dyslexia. For further information contact the BDA on 0845 251 9003.