What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is primarily a genetic condition affecting around 15% of the population—approximately 10 million people in the UK. Dyslexic brains process information differently, which can make reading large volumes tiring and learning more challenging. There is no correlation between dyslexia and low IQ.
Famous Dyslexics
- Keira Knightley (actress)
- Jamie Oliver (chef)
- Albert Einstein (scientist)
- Tom Cruise (actor)
- Holly Willoughby (television personality)
Traits of Dyslexia
- Strong sense of humour - Many people with dyslexia are creative thinkers who use humour as a way to connect with others and navigate challenges. Their unique perspective often leads to witty, original observations.
- High empathy and helpfulness - Struggling with learning differences can foster deep empathy for others facing challenges. Dyslexic individuals often show strong interpersonal skills and a desire to support others.
- Often chatty - Verbal communication may be a strength, especially in informal or social settings. Many dyslexic people are storytellers, using spoken word to express themselves when writing is more difficult.
- Prone to lateness - Difficulties with time management, organization, and working memory can make punctuality a challenge.
- Reading difficulties – Slow, effortful reading; trouble decoding words.
- Spelling issues – Frequent spelling errors, even in familiar words.
- Writing challenges – Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper; messy handwriting.
Strengths & Challenges associated with Dyslexia
Strengths
- Seeing the big picture
- Creative problem-solving
- Excellent team players and communicators
- Natural entrepreneurs and businesspeople
- Rich imagination and creativity
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Challenges
- Organisation can be difficult (e.g. untidy spaces)
- Short-term memory issues (forgetting facts or names)
- Limited concentration span (around 10–15 minutes)
- Spelling and punctuation often problematic
Helpful tips for the individual
- Use a diary or planner to stay organized – Helps manage time, reduce stress, and track tasks.
- Leverage technology and computer tools – These can reduce the strain of reading and writing.
- Understanding and self-awareness – Understand how dyslexia impacts you. Knowledge builds confidence and Self-advocacy.
Helpful tips for educators and employers
- Avoid assuming laziness – Recognize that reading-intensive tasks can be mentally exhausting.
- Discuss and clarify any areas where support is needed – Open dialogue helps tailor support to individual needs.
- Offer genuine compliments on their achievements – Celebrate effort, creativity, and progress, not just outcomes.
Assistive technology resources
- Mind Mappping - Can help visually plan tasks and layout ideas without using sentences.
- Text-to-speech - Supports reading by turning written words into spoken language, making long texts easier to follow.
- Speech-to-text - Lets you speak ideas out loud and have them written down, reducing spelling and typing difficulties.
- Screen readers - Read out digital content so information can be understood without relying only on visual reading.
- Reading comfort & overlays - Change background colours or apply filters to reduce visual stress and improve focus.
- Spelling & grammar tools - Highlight mistakes and suggest corrections, making writing clearer and easier to edit.
- Organisation & time management - Use reminders, calendars, and planners to keep track of tasks and deadlines step by step.