Dyslexia is a learning difference that mainly affects reading and writing skills. Approximately 10% of the population has dyslexia. There is no ‘treatment’ for dyslexia as it is just a difference in how someone’s brain works, but there is support available to help with any struggles that having dyslexia may bring. Everyone experiences dyslexia differently, so the support they seek may be different as well.

Support available

The type of support someone seeks depends on the area of life they would like help in. There are lots of options available including:

👉🏽 Coaching

Dyslexia coaching focuses on supporting people with dyslexia in understanding their brains, strengths and communication preferences. They can also help to develop strategies for any struggles such as slow reading.

👉🏽 Assistive technology

Assistive technology can be helpful for everyday tasks or in your place of work or study. This could include text-to-speech software, voice recorders or anything else you might find useful.

👉🏽 Tutors

Tutors who specialise in dyslexia should have the knowledge and skills to support someone with dyslexia in their learning. You might even find that you enjoy studying more with this more personalised approach! You can find qualified tutors here.

👉🏽 Workplace or classroom accommodations

Accommodations that are offered by your place of work or study can differ, so it is best to talk to your employer or teachers about how they can best support you. Accommodations can include things like extra time on exams or the use of assistive technology such as voice-to-text software.

If someone is happy to discuss their dyslexia with their employer, they can ask for a workplace needs assessment and reasonable adjustments. A workplace needs assessment identifies an employee's unique strengths and challenges and recommends accommodations that might help them perform their job to the best of their ability.

People with dyslexia might also be able to get support from the government's Access to Work programme, which funds practical support in the workplace. People with dyslexia may also fall under the Equality Act (2010) and so their employer is legally obligated to provide reasonable adjustments and support.

At university, students with dyslexia are often provided with additional support. Again, this support can differ depending on the university so it is best to discuss it with the individual university. They might recommend different methods of learning such as using mindmaps instead of written lists.

Students with dyslexia may also be able to access the Disabled Student’s Allowance. This can cover study-related costs in addition to the student finance you receive, such as laptops or additional coaching to learn new studying techniques.

👉🏽 Support groups

Joining a support group or using online forums can help you connect with others who have had similar experiences to you. Sometimes just reading other people's experiences is beneficial, you don't have to post yourself.

Read more:

• Dyslexia at a Glance

• Strengths of Dyslexia

• Getting a Dyslexia Diagnosis (UK)

• Supporting Someone with Dyslexia