Understanding Dyslexia

Our health writer, Jackie Mitchell, chats to expert Helen Goodsall.

- Jackie Mitchell

DYSLEXIA is a specific learning difficulty affecting how people process and remember information they see and hear.

It can impact how quickly and easily a person can read and understand information, and how much they can remember.

It's a condition affecting about 10% of the population, and is usually first noticed when a child starts school.

Dyslexic children can be seen as forgetful or accused of not listening.

Many dyslexic children are not identified at school unless their difficulties start to have a negative impact on their behaviour.

In most people dyslexia is present from birth, even though it might not be formally identified until later.

"Those who are diagnosed later in life usually have an inkling that something is wrong and it can be a relief to receive a diagnosis," Helen Goodsall, Knowledge and Information Manager, British Dyslexia Association, explains.

Signs of dyslexia include finding it difficult to match letters and sound, or confusing left and right.

Dyslexic people can find it hard to remember instructions or follow directions.

"Spelling words and recognising unfamiliar words can be a struggle, so reading will take some effort and might be something many avoid.