Dyslexia affects around one in ten people. It varies from mild to severe and many people with dyslexia can improve their literacy skills with skilled intervention for a relatively short time and by using specialist software, especially for reading and writing tasks.
‘Dyslexia’ is a term that can be helpful as a first step in specifying what a person’s strengths and learning needs are, what needs to be taught, how it needs to be taught, and for how long.
A diagnostic assessment by an HCPC,
BPS Chartered Practitioner Psychologist includes standardised testing of general cognitive ability, verbal ability, perceptual
reasoning (non-verbal ability), reading (phonic skills, word recognition, reading comprehension/understanding and reading speed), spelling (in and out of context) written English, handwriting skills (speed, letter formation, word fluency) maths, working memory, (both auditory and visual / motor), phonological skills, fine motor skills for pencil control and motor co-ordination and balance.
The testing provides valid measures of any under-achievement, and information about the person’s learning style that helps in planning more effective tuition to address weaknesses.
The diagnostic assessment is the first step towards planning effective, targeted teaching programmes for the learner that address the complexity of the individual’s needs.
If you think you may be dyslexic, please contact us for a discussion with one of our team.
Fast facts about Dyslexia
- Affects between 5% and 10% of the population
- Tends to run in families
- Usually an inherited neurological condition
- Varies from mild to severe
- Many dyslexics are gifted, talented and successful
- Dyslexia isn’t just about reading difficulties – writing and spelling are very often affected
- Many dyslexics suffer from frustration and low self-esteem
- Many dyslexics under-achieve in school and in the work place
- Many dyslexics are only diagnosed for the first time when they get to university
- There is no ‘cure’ for dyslexia, but dyslexic learners can be helped to acquire reading, writing and spelling skills through individual teaching programmes
- IT equipment can be a help to many dyslexics but is usually not enough alone to help a dyslexic learner
- The earlier a person is identified and helped with specialist teaching and/or practice at home, the better the outcome
- Young people often have to experience failure before they are identified
- Dyslexic learners have rights as disabled people
- We know a lot about how to teach dyslexics effectively
- There is some evidence that specialist, targeted teaching and therapies can change and ‘improve’ neurological functioning in the learning brain
- There are lots of helpful organisations for dyslexics, for example, www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
- A professional diagnosis by an HCPC, BPS Chartered Practitioner Psychologist is the first, essential step to moving forward