Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neuro-developmental condition characterised by specific problems in learning to read and write.
It is best described as a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning processes in reading, spelling and/or writing but are not due to intellectual impairment. The dyslexias are often referred to as Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs).
Although dyslexia often causes significant problems in the classroom – especially if not spotted early in life – it does not hinder the development of intellectual talents.
Possible features of dyslexia
- Poor working memory
- Difficulties with phonology – the sounds in words
- Problems in distinguishing left and right
- Poor sense of direction
- Difficulties with time and tense
- Visual and auditory perceptual difficulties
- Unexpectedly poor reading in relation to general ability
- Spelling problems
- Difficulty remembering telephone numbers and appointments
- Bad handwriting
- Difficulty learning things by rote (eg. months of the year)
- Poor concentration
Associated difficulties
Dyscalculia – specific difficulties with mathematics
Dysgraphia – specific difficulties in the ability to write that are not associated with the ability to read or due to intellectual impairment.