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Dyslexia

This factsheet is for people who have dyslexia, people who want to know more about it, and for parents who have a dyslexic child.

Dyslexia causes difficulties with learning language-based skills. People with dyslexia tend to have trouble with spelling, writing, reading and sometimes speaking. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, and many who have it go on to be successful.

This factsheet tries to answer some of the commonly asked questions about dyslexia and suggests ways for you to manage it successfully.

What causes dyslexia?

The exact cause of dyslexia isn't known. However, it's thought to be caused by differences in the way that the brain processes information, especially if it's to do with language. Why some people's brains do this differently to others isn't fully understood, but most experts agree that it is partly because of physiological or biological differences, and that these tend to run in families.

Some experts think that dyslexia is mainly related to difficulties in phonological processing - the way that the brain deals with how parts of words sound - while others think that other differences, such as the way the brain processes vision - the way words look - may play an equal or greater role. Dyslexia doesn't only affect language-based skills. People with dyslexia may also have difficulties with their short-term memory, mathematics ability, concentration, personal organisation, speed of processing information, coordination and ability to think or do things in the right order (sequencing).

Deficit or difference?

Not all people think of dyslexia as a "problem". While people with dyslexia will usually have trouble with language processing, some also believe that the condition is associated with other strengths and talents, such as:

• increased creativity and innovation
• good lateral thinking ability
• intuitive problem solving skills

It's worth remembering that many famous personalities both from history and the present day, such as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Richard Branson, have not been held back by dyslexia.

How can you tell if your child has dyslexia?

Around 10 percent of people in the UK are thought to have dyslexia to some degree.

Dyslexia affects different people in different ways. Some are very good readers but may struggle with spelling or writing. Others may have only mild symptoms of dyslexia, or may have severe symptoms but only experience them now and then.

You can often spot signs of dyslexia in children at a young age. However, children develop at different rates, so it's important to remember that just because your child may have one or more of these characteristics, it doesn't mean that they necessarily have dyslexia.

It's probably worth discussing it with your doctor, health visitor, school or an organisation such as Dyslexia Action (see Further information) if you think your child is displaying a number of the following signs.

• Talking later than other children the same age.
• Difficulty pronouncing certain words, eg mawn lower instead of lawn mower, busgetti for spaghetti, although most children mix up pronunciation as they learn to talk, so this may be normal.
• Difficulty in spelling and reading (see Reading problems).
• Finding it hard to think of the right word when talking, or using substitute words.
• Difficulty with working out which words rhyme with each other.
• Problems learning the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, colours, shapes, how to spell and write her or his name.
• Difficulty telling left from right.
• Difficulty in following multi-step routines or directions such as those in action songs, games or activities such as getting dressed.
• Poor hand writing. Motor skills (ie being able to hold and use a pencil properly) develop far more slowly than in other children of the same age.
• Putting letters or figures in the wrong order, eg 14 for 41, b for d, 6 for 9, saw for was.

Reading problems

Some common problems with reading include:

• letters or words appearing to be reversed (eg reading was as saw, d's as b's and p's as q's)
• having difficulty recognising words that they have previously seen
• hesitancy or inaccuracy while reading

Can dyslexia be treated?

With help, the majority of people with dyslexia can learn to read and write perfectly well. Usually, the earlier you find out that a child has dyslexia the better. It means that additional help can be offered at school from teachers and tutors as well as from specialists and therapists.

Some people with dyslexia are sensitive to light or certain colours. Coloured paper to reduce glare and tinted lenses or coloured overlays are sometimes used to try to counter this, although it hasn't been proven either way how much this helps.

What can I do to help my child?

If you think your child has dyslexia, talk to their teachers at school, and arrange to see the special educational needs coordinator, so that any specialist teaching arrangements that are needed can be made. The British Dyslexia Association also recommends contacting your local dyslexia association for advice.

One the most important things you can do to help is to be as supportive as you can and build up their confidence. The following tips may also prove helpful.

• Read up on dyslexia and find out as much as you can from your doctor, health visitor or a specialist. You will be better equipped to encourage your child and overcome challenges as they progress.
• Keep a folder of your child's work including anything that they do at home or at playgroup, nursery or school. Jot down other information too, such as how they dealt with a certain situation or what their emotional state was at any given time. This type of record can be really useful when you want to look back and discuss progress with a tutor or specialist.
• The more you believe in your child's abilities rather than their disabilities, the more they will develop confidence in themselves.
• Visit your child's classroom as often as you can, as this will help you to get a better idea of how they are progressing in relation to their classmates. It will also give you more opportunities to speak to your child's teacher about their abilities and problem areas.
• Try and meet other parents whose children have dyslexia. Sharing tips and mutual support can help during setbacks.
• Read aloud to your child every day as it will help them with their vocabulary, understanding and de-coding skills.
• Talk openly with your child about their dyslexia and encourage them to discuss their feelings with you. Encourage them to update you regularly on their progress and provide positive reinforcement for even the smallest improvement.
• Point out successful role models with dyslexia and as they get older help them to explain their dyslexia to other people without embarrassment or apology.

Help at school or college

Under the 1996 Education Act and the Code of Practice, local authorities and schools must cater for children with special educational needs (including those who have dyslexia).

There are lots of things that can be done at school, including giving a child with dyslexia extra time to complete tasks. Your child's teacher may give taped tests or use alternative ways of assessing them. Other aids such as books on tape, writing on computers and using real objects during maths problems instead of printed figures can be arranged. In some cases, extra funding may be available to pay for a learning assistant who can spend time with your child on a one-to-one basis.

Further information

• Dyslexia Action
  01784 222 300
  www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
• The British Dyslexia Association
  0118 966 2677
  www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Published by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, November 2006.

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