Dyslexia, Explained
Whether you’re dyslexic yourself, or trying to help your dyslexic child, here is the advice you’re looking for in navigating the confusing world of SpLD (specific learning difficulties) and dyslexia assessment.
Key Signs of Dyslexia
You’ve read definitions of dyslexia, you’ve gone through our 5-minute dyslexia checklist, but still you may be confused… How can you recognise dyslexia ‘on the ground’? What does it look like in practice? Here’s a rundown of the most common…
Dyslexia Checklist: Free Dyslexia Test
Checklists of common signs associated with dyslexia can give a rough idea of whether dyslexia may be the root cause of a child’s learning difficulties. Don’t expect a dyslexic child to answer ‘yes’ to every single checklist item, though. Every…
What Is Dyslexia?
Most people know dyslexia as a difficulty with reading, writing and spelling. However, dyslexic traits can also affect other areas of a child’s life – in both positive and negative ways. In fact, dyslexia is so wide-ranging that, while researching…
Myths and Facts About Dyslexia
There’s so much chatter in the media about dyslexia that it can be hard to know what’s real and what’s just a myth. Let’s clear the air and separate fact from fiction. MYTH: Dyslexia is ‘middle class for stupid’ FACT:…
What to Expect from a Dyslexia Assessment in the UK
Many people approach getting a dyslexia assessment with fear and trepidation. This guide is designed to set your mind at ease and demystify what can be a scary process. How long does a dyslexia assessment take? A full, formal Dyslexia…
At What Age Can You Diagnose a Child With Dyslexia?
It’s possible for parents to detect signs of dyslexia in their child from a very young age. They may wish to ensure a good start in life for their child by formalising a dyslexia diagnosis and getting the classroom accommodations…
Can I Get a Dyslexia Assessment For Free on the NHS or via the School?
If you’re in the UK and you suspect that you (or your child) is dyslexic, you may be hoping to secure a dyslexia assessment for free, funded by the state. Is dyslexia assessment free on the NHS? No. Unfortunately, dyslexia…
Which Tests are Used in an Official Dyslexia Assessment?
Specialist Dyslexia Assessors use a rigorous suite of highly-regarded diagnostic tests. These include an underlying ability test, reading tests, spelling test, rapid naming tests, phonological processing tests, short-term and working memory tests. Other tests that can be added on are…
True or False? Dyslexia Assessors Will Diagnose ANYONE With Dyslexia
“Specialist Dyslexia Assessors will diagnose a wooden spoon as being dyslexic!” This is a common misconception, but it’s completely false. Specialist Dyslexia Assessors like Holly Swinton follow the well-respected Rose Report definition of dyslexia. They are fully qualified and accredited,…
Top 10 Tips for Reducing Dyslexic Visual Distortion
Moving letters, washed-out text, or rivers of white space – no matter what form your child’s dyslexic visual distortion takes, there are plenty of ways to ease the pain of reading. Of course, an ideal long-term solution might involve enlisting…
6 Ways to Help a Child Who Has ‘Secret’ Dyslexia
Compensating dyslexics, or ‘secret’ dyslexics, who put in heaps of time and effort, so that they don’t ‘seem’ dyslexic, are less likely to be noticed – or supported – in school. However, there are lots of ways for switched-on parents…
‘Secret’ Dyslexia? 6 Signs of a Compensating Dyslexic
Some parents know that their child learns differently, but are told time and again by teachers and other professionals that he or she is not dyslexic. For many, the answer is that they are actually compensating dyslexics, who have devised…
6 Types of Dyslexic Visual Distortion (Plus a 7th That Might Surprise You!)
Words that seem to move on the page might be the most well-known feature of dyslexia. In fact, a new website even offers the chance to see how it feels to try and read if the words won’t stay still!…
‘Disleksia’ and the Ways Dyslexics Struggle with Spelling
Spelling causes problems for almost all dyslexics. This means, as a dyslexic child gets older, she may end up with a ‘spelling age’ that’s years behind her real intellect. An opaque language Part of the issue is that English-speaking spellers…
Examples of Dyslexic Spelling
Spelling is a common bugbear for dyslexics, but parents may be wondering what ‘dyslexic spelling’ looks like in practice. In fact, the way a dyslexic child spells will look very different depending on her age. Here are some broad examples…