Dyslexia

 The word ‘dyslexia’ comes from the Greek and means, literally, ‘difficult with words’.
> It is a language difficulty in which tiny differences in brain organisation lead to problems with reading, spelling, writing and speech.
> Dyslexia may vary greatly in the type and extent of the difficulty which the individual experiences.
> It may be helpful to think about dyslexia as an information processing difficulty. About 4% of the population of Great Britain is severely dyslexic.
> In addition to difficulties with reading, writing, spelling or written number skills, a dyslexic person may have problems with short term memory such as:

> remembering a telephone number;
> with word-finding and other spoken language skills,
> with personal organisation, which may, for example, result in lateness for appointments;
> and with following a sequence such as the alphabet or the months of the year or days of the week.

> Many dyslexic people are extremely creative, think laterally and have good problem solving skills; they often excel in fields such as the arts, design, architecture and computing.

Recognising Dyslexia
> If the answer to the following questions is ‘Yes’ it would be wise to seek further advice:

Do you:
> feel that you are bright but struggle with reading, writing and spelling and don’t get the marks you feel you deserve?
> take ages to read books and understand them?
> have difficulty in carrying out three instructions in sequence?
> put letters or figures the wrong way round – 15 for 51, 6 for 9, b for d or was for saw?
> read a word then fail to recognise it shortly afterwards?
> spell a word in several different ways and fail to recognise the correct version?
> have difficulty copying and taking notes quickly?
> have difficulty in planning and writing essays, assignments and projects?
> seem disorganised, forgetting to hand in essays and attend tutorials?
> have difficulty with revision?
> find difficulty with mental arithmetic?
> have problems with directions – left and right?
>lack confidence and self esteem?
>when speaking, lose the word you want to say?
>run out of time in examinations?
>misinterpret examination questions?

Click on:
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk

British Dyslexia Association
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Helpline: 0118 966 8271.

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