Dyslexia

1. What is it?
Dyslexia comes from the Greek word
meaning difficulty with words.

2. Meaning?
Dys lexia
Difficult. Word.
Difficulty with words.
But it’s just not that!!!
Difficulty with reading.
Difficulty with Spelling.
Difficulty with memory.
Difficulty with numbers.
Difficulty with
time management.
Difficulty with
confidence.

3. Dyslexia is…
 ‘A specific learning difference which is
neurological in origin and may, for a given
level of ability, cause unexpected difficulties
in the acquisition of certain literacy and
numeracy skills.’
 Some Dyslexics have outstanding creative
skills. Others have strong oral skills. They all
have strengths.
 Dyslexia can occur despite normal
intellectual ability and teaching.

4. Dyslexia Affects…
 All races, gender, sexuality, nationality, ages
(does not diminish with age).
 No-one is exempt.
 Usually more males are identified, as they
are easier to identify and recognise the signs
of Dyslexia in.
 Some Dyslexics tend to develop good coping
strategies from an early age and disguise it
well.

5. Coping with Dyslexia…
 No cure for Dyslexics just coping strategies/
things that help them.
 Dyslexia is not just one thing, it is a combination
of difficulties and problems in many areas
including literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and
numeracy, as well as other things like
organisation, processing, memory, confidence
and coordination.
 An understanding of these difficulties and
problems allows us to put effective and
appropriate support in place to help people.

6. Dyslexia is…
 Dyslexia is hereditary passed on through
generations of the family.
 10% of the population are Dyslexic in the UK,
4% are deemed severely Dyslexic.
 4% of HE/ FE students are Dyslexic.
 50% of the prison population are Dyslexic.
 Each persons Dyslexia is like a thumb print ~
all different and unique to that person.

7. Problems associated with
Dyslexia…
 Do not have a good short term memory.
 Reading.
 Writing.
 Spelling.
 Maths.
 Confidence.
 Dexterity.
 Sequencing.
 Visual problems.
 Lateral thinking.
 Self esteem/ bad attitude.
 Attention span.
 A confident Dyslexic will learn more than someone
with a low self esteem.

8. Dyslexia Affects…
 Dyslexia is a processing problem with language. This can
affect different kinds of language such as reading, writing,
maths, music, speech etc.
 Dyslexia affects the way information is processed, stored
and retrieved, with problems of memory, speed of
processing, time perception, organisation and sequencing.
Some may also have difficulty navigating a route, with left
and right and with directions.
 Dyslexics don't usually process information in the same
way as other people.
 Dyslexia is a different way of thinking and a different way
of learning.

9. What are Dyslexics good at…
 Thinking out of the box.
 Planning.
 Holistic thinking.
 Visual and auditory aspects.
 Innovated.
 Motivated by experiences.
 Risk takers ~ do not mind failing.
 Determined.
 Focused.
 Good leaders.
 Good at delegating.
 See patterns, connections, and similarities very easy.
 Very driven, ambitious and persistent.
 Capable of seeing things differently than others.
 Creative and imaginative. Not following the crowd.
 They are usually millionaires!!   

10. Learning Styles…
 “If a student cannot learn in the way we teach them,
we need to teach them in the way they learn.”
 As the pathway to the memory is through
the senses, the more senses that are used
at one time, the more direct and powerful
the learning.
 It helps if Dyslexics can listen to things,
visualise things, smell things, taste and
touch items. It helps them to learn better
in the style that suits them more.
 Note we remember 90 % of what we read,
hear, see, say AND do. This is the most
effective way of learning for all students.

11. Fact…
 The Dyslexic memory can be brilliant at mechanical
and technical construction and design.
 Dyslexic mechanics have been known to look at an
engine and quickly understand how everything is
connected and easily see the best solution to a
practical problem.
 Many people with learning differences are capable of
some extraordinary thinking and can be extremely
successful once they learn some coping strategies.

12. Irlen Syndrome…
 Refers to a syndrome or difficulty with processing
light efficiently enough to be able to read. Also
called word blindness.
 Recommended treatment is tinted lenses, coloured
overlays, coloured paper and coloured backgrounds
on the boards when going through presentations.
 These colours are usually the ‘learners specific
colour’ and this is usually pastel shades – cream,
yellow, blue, green, pink, purple.
 Individuals then claim it stops the visual distortion
effects and improves reading.

13. Co-Morbidity…
 This is where learners have several conditions or
specific learning difficulties, so basically it is the
presence of one or more disorders.
 The other SpLD’s they have are usually masked by
their primary one.
 For example, a learner with Dyslexia often has
Dyspraxia but because their Dyslexic difficulties
prevail their Dyspraxic traits are masked/ hidden/
less obvious.

14. More Information…
 Speak to your personal tutor or your
subject tutors.
 Contact Karen Bates (kbs@osfc.ac.uk)
Room 138. Dyslexia Co-ordinator.