Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that mostly affects the skills involved in accurate and confident word reading and spelling. Dyslexia can also occur alongside other learning difficulties. It’s estimated that up to 1 in every 10 to 20 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia.

People with dyslexia are often of average or above average intelligence, but tend to have specific learning difficulties with reading, spelling and writing. Mathematical ability and musical notation may also be affected. A person with Dyslexia may have a range of underlying difficulties, not immediately associated with reading and writing, including perceptual problems.

The signs and symptoms

Features of dyslexia can include difficulty with:

• Reading words correctly and comprehension
• Blending sounds, for example when reading, saying and spelling words
• Remembering more than one thing at a time
• Constructing written sentences
• Slower speed of information processing, including finding the right word when talking
• Slower reading speed, especially if sensitive to light
• Time management and organisation, including completing activities
• Frustration at own difficulties which do not reflect their ability
• Sustaining concentration

Ideas to support inclusion

• Offer reading support if needed, including the use of support devices
• Use diagrams, audio and images where possible
• Give employees time to read things properly and check that they have understood
• Share print-outs so that the employees have time to read through key documents. If reading is a problem, provide handouts electronically and encourage reading with Text Help
• Provide words and their definitions for key topics in advance
• Separate feedback of spelling, punctuation and written expression from content
• Give guidelines on organising, dating and filing notes at the start of the employment
• Ensure access arrangements are sorted out in good time where necessary
• Where people have a lower reading speed and are sensitive to light, they may benefit from using a coloured overlay on computers and changing the screen background