What is it?What is it?

Dyslexia comes from the Greek word Dyslexia comes from the Greek word meaning difficulty with words.meaning difficulty with words.

MeaningMeaning??

Dys lexia

Difficult. Word.Difficulty with words.But its just not that!!!

Difficulty with reading.

Difficulty with Spelling.

Difficulty with memory.

Difficulty with numbers.

Difficulty with time management.

Difficulty withconfidence.

DyslexiaDyslexia isis…… ‘‘A specific learning difference which is A specific learning difference which is

neurological in origin and may, for a given neurological in origin and may, for a given level of ability, cause unexpected difficulties level of ability, cause unexpected difficulties in the acquisition of certain literacy and in the acquisition of certain literacy and numeracy skills.’numeracy skills.’

Some dyslexics have outstanding creative Some dyslexics have outstanding creative skills. Others have strong oral skills. They all skills. Others have strong oral skills. They all have strengths. have strengths.

Dyslexia can occur despite normal Dyslexia can occur despite normal intellectual ability and teaching. intellectual ability and teaching.

Dyslexia Affects…Dyslexia Affects… All races, gender, sexuality, nationality, ages All races, gender, sexuality, nationality, ages

(does not diminish with age).(does not diminish with age).

No-one is exempt.No-one is exempt.

Usually more males are identified, as they Usually more males are identified, as they are easier to identify and recognise the signs are easier to identify and recognise the signs of dyslexia in. of dyslexia in.

Some dyslexics tend to develop good coping Some dyslexics tend to develop good coping strategies from an early age and disguise it strategies from an early age and disguise it well.well.

Coping with dyslexia…Coping with dyslexia… No cure for dyslexics just coping strategies/ No cure for dyslexics just coping strategies/

things that help them.things that help them.

Dyslexia is not just one thing, it is a combination Dyslexia is not just one thing, it is a combination of difficulties and problems in many areas of difficulties and problems in many areas including literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and including literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and numeracy, as well as other things like numeracy, as well as other things like organisation, processing, memory, confidence organisation, processing, memory, confidence and coordination.and coordination.

An understanding of these difficulties and An understanding of these difficulties and problems allows us to put effective and problems allows us to put effective and appropriate support in place to help people.appropriate support in place to help people.

Dyslexia is…Dyslexia is… Dyslexia is hereditary passed on through Dyslexia is hereditary passed on through

generations of the family.generations of the family.

10% of the population are dyslexic in the UK, 10% of the population are dyslexic in the UK, 4% are deemed severely dyslexic.4% are deemed severely dyslexic.

4% of HE/ FE students are dyslexic.4% of HE/ FE students are dyslexic.

Each persons dyslexia is like a thumb print ~ Each persons dyslexia is like a thumb print ~ all different and unique to that person.all different and unique to that person.

Problems associated with Problems associated with dyslexia…dyslexia…

Do not have a good short term memory.Do not have a good short term memory. Reading.Reading. Writing.Writing. Spelling.Spelling. Maths.Maths. Confidence.Confidence. Dexterity.Dexterity. Sequencing.Sequencing. Visual.Visual. Lateral thinking.Lateral thinking. Self esteem/ bad attitude.Self esteem/ bad attitude. Attention span.Attention span. A confident dyslexic will learn more than someone A confident dyslexic will learn more than someone

with a low self esteem.with a low self esteem.

What are dyslexics good at…What are dyslexics good at… Thinking out of the box.Thinking out of the box. Planning.Planning. Holistic thinking.Holistic thinking. Visual and auditory aspects.Visual and auditory aspects. Innovated.Innovated. Motivated by experiences.Motivated by experiences. Risk takers ~ do not mind failing.Risk takers ~ do not mind failing. Determined.Determined. Focused.Focused. Good leaders.Good leaders. Good at delegating.Good at delegating. Creative.Creative. They are usually millionaires!! They are usually millionaires!!

Learning Styles…Learning Styles… ““If a student cannot learn in the way we teach them, If a student cannot learn in the way we teach them,

we need to teach them in the way they learn.”we need to teach them in the way they learn.”

As the pathway to the memory is through As the pathway to the memory is through the senses, the more senses that are used the senses, the more senses that are used at one time, the more direct and powerful at one time, the more direct and powerful the learning. the learning.

It helps if dyslexics can listen to things, It helps if dyslexics can listen to things, visualise things, smell things, taste and visualise things, smell things, taste and touch items. It helps them to learn better touch items. It helps them to learn better in the style that suits them more.in the style that suits them more.

Note we remember 90 % of what we read, Note we remember 90 % of what we read, hear, see, say AND do. This is the most hear, see, say AND do. This is the most effective way of learning for all students.effective way of learning for all students.