What is dyslexia ❓

Dyslexia is a learning difference (not disability) mainly effecting reading and writing skills. Many people simplify dyslexia as being an issue of spelling or grammar but the effects are wider impacting phonological awareness, processing speed, verbal memory, working memory etc. Around 10% of the population is dyslexic.

Different types of dyslexia

There are different types of dyslexia.

👉🏽 Phonological dyslexia

People with this type of dyslexia will find it difficult to manipulate the sounds of language.

👉🏽 Rapid naming dyslexia

People with this type of dyslexia may experience slower or more difficult retrieval of numbers, letters, and colours.

👉🏽 Double deficit dyslexia

This refers to people who have both phonological and rapid naming dyslexia.

👉🏽 Surface dyslexia

People with this type of dyslexia will find it hard to read words which are spelt differently compared to how they sound (i.e. understanding phonics but may find it hard to read the whole word and attach meaning to it if it is spelt differently than what it sounds).

👉🏽 Visual dyslexia

People with this type of dyslexia may find it hard to visually process words and numbers. This means people may see the letters moving on the page.

The symptoms of dyslexia

Dyslexia impacts everyone differently but the common symptoms of dyslexia on an aggregative level are:

➡️ Difficulty in spelling accurately

➡️ Difficulty in grammar

➡️ Mispronouncing words

➡️ Weaker working memory

➡️ Difficulty retrieving information

➡️ Spending a significantly longer time to complete tasks involving reading or writing

Causes of dyslexia 🧠

There is a common misconception that people, particularly those diagnosed as children, can outgrow dyslexia. However, this is not true, as dyslexia is a neurological difference that affects how the brain processes language, speech, and sounds. People with dyslexia are wired differently, and it is not possible to simply outgrow it.

Researchers are not sure about the exact causes of dyslexia but it is observed to run in families which suggests a genetic link. Brain injury can also cause acquired dyslexia later in life, with different symptoms determined by where the injury has occurred.