Understanding dyslexia
Dyslexia is a pattern — not one score, one symptom or one stereotype.
Dyslexia is a developmental learning difference. It can affect the development of accurate and fluent reading and spelling, alongside related processing skills, but people’s profiles vary considerably.
Things that can be part of the picture
Reading
Accuracy, fluency, speed or retaining what you have read.
Spelling
Inconsistent or effortful spelling, especially under pressure.
Writing
Getting ideas into written form can be slow and exhausting.
Phonological processing
Working with the sounds within words can be difficult.
Memory & processing
Holding spoken information or processing it quickly can be harder.
Compensatory strategies
Bright, capable people may build strong workarounds that hide difficulties for years.
Common myths
- “But I can read.”
- “My spelling isn’t that bad.”
- “I did well at school.”
- “I have a degree.”
- “I don’t mix up b and d.”
People don’t always fit neatly into one box
Dyslexia, ADHD and Dyspraxia/DCD can overlap. Organisation, memory, processing, written work and time management can have more than one explanation.