Dyslexia – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Dyslexia Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.’s)

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), appearing as severe difficulties with literacy skills.

We get quite a few questions from people asking about Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD’s), so I have tried to answer some of the more common questions.

1.          What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).

2.          What causes Dyslexia?
Most specialists consider dyslexia to be a hereditary genetic condition. Dyslexia often runs in families. The causes have not been fully established at the moment.
However, dyslexia can be caused by other ways, i.e., stroke, severe head injury etc.

3.          Is Dyslexia a ‘Gift’?
Many people think dyslexia is a ‘gift’ because they are very creative and are usually very good at their chosen careers. Also, most self-made millionaires have dyslexia, which is thought this is because they have the tenacity to succeed. Another reason may be that most dyslexics, ‘think outside of the box’, find it easier to ‘lead’ rather than work in a particular manner.

4.          Do People from other Countries have Dyslexia?
Dyslexia occurs from all races, backgrounds and abilities.

5.          What are the Symptoms of Dyslexia?
People with dyslexia usually have phonological difficulties (i.e., they find it difficult to sort out sounds within words). This means they have problems with reading, writing, spelling, number work, short-term memory, hand control and visual processing. Timekeeping, sense of direction and interpersonal skills can also be affected. For a fuller description, go to the ‘Dyslexia Checklist’.

6.          Is Dyslexia an Illness?
Dyslexia is definitely not an illness; it is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).

7.          Is Dyslexia a Disease?
Dyslexia is definitely not a disease; it is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).

8.          Is Dyslexia considered a Disability?
Dyslexia is a Registered Disability under the Equality Act (2010).

9.          Is Dyslexia a Learning Disability?
Dyslexia is recognised as a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)?

10.       Is Dyslexia Hereditary?

Most specialists consider dyslexia to be a hereditary genetic condition. Dyslexia often runs in families.

11.       Do People from other Countries have Dyslexia?
Dyslexia occurs from all races, backgrounds and abilities.

12.       What are the Symptoms of Dyslexia?
People with Dyslexia usually have phonological difficulties (i.e., find it difficult to sort out sounds within words, this means they have problems with reading, writing, spelling, number work, short-term memory, hand control and visual processing. Timekeeping, sense of direction and interpersonal skills can also be affected. For a fuller description, go to the ‘Dyslexia Checklist’.

13.       Is Dyslexia an Illness?
Dyslexia is definitely not an illness, and it is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).

14.       Is Dyslexia a Disease?
Dyslexia is definitely not a disease. It is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).

15.       Is Dyslexia considered a Disability?
Dyslexia is a Registered Disability under the Equality Act (2010).

16.       Is Dyslexia a Learning Disability?
Dyslexia is recognised as a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)?

17.       Is Dyslexia Hereditary?
Most specialists consider Dyslexia to be a hereditary, genetic condition. Dyslexia often runs in families.

18.       How many People have Dyslexia?
Dyslexia affects approximately 10% of the population.

19.       Does Dyslexia affect Men and Women equally?
Until recently, it was thought that Dyslexia affected more males than females (approximately 75-80% men). However, there has been some research in the last few years to suggest that it is more likely to be 50/50. Further research is being undertaken to try to find out more accurate figures.

20.       Are Dyslexics of Average Intelligence?
People with dyslexia are often of high or above-average intelligence. These difficulties often result in incredible frustration, bearing in mind that people with dyslexia are usually of high or above-average intelligence.

21.       How many People have Dyslexia? 
Dyslexia affects approximately 10% of the population.

22.       Does Dyslexia affect Men and Women equally?
Until recently, it was thought that Dyslexia affected more males than females (approximately 75-80% men). However, there has been some research in the last few years to suggest that it is more likely to be 50/50. Further research is being undertaken to try to find out more accurate figures.

23.       Are Dyslexics of Average Intelligence?
People with dyslexia are often of high or above-average intelligence. These difficulties often result in incredible frustration, bearing in mind that dyslexics are usually of high or above-average intelligence.

24.       If I think I have Dyslexia, what signs should I look for?
Look at the signs for Dyslexia on the dyslexia checklist or go online and try one of the free dyslexia online tests.

25.       If you have Dyslexia, will you always have it?
Yes, like colour blindness, it is permanent.

26.       Are there good things about having Dyslexia?
Yes, people with Dyslexia are usually very good at creative work and excel in areas such as:

Architecture
Arts
Computer sciences
Construction
Electronics
Engineering
Entertainment
Mathematics
Physics
Sports

27.       My school headmaster has told me that Dyslexia does not exist. What can I do about it?
In the UK, Dyslexia comes under the Equality Act (EA). Therefore, I think you should immediately make an official complaint to the Local Education Authority (LEA).  If you are outside the UK, where Dyslexia is not yet recognised, try to offer help to the teachers, schools etc., by showing them useful websites.

28.       Can you cure Dyslexia?
You cannot cure Dyslexia because it is not an illness. However, you can be taught ways to ‘overcome dyslexia’. Teachers should use multi-sensory learning methods.

29.       Can I demand the school assess my child for Dyslexia?

If you can show that your child needs a test, you can approach the teacher or headteacher and request an assessment. However, only the head-teacher can put your child forward for an assessment with an Educational Psychologist. Sometimes, this may take a very long time, whilst your child is falling further behind. It may be best for you to have your child tested privately.

30.       Is there a booklet where I can get factual information on Dyslexia and getting help at school?
Read the Code of Practice Information Booklet produced by the DfES.
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk.

31.       My son is at school. How can I get him tested for Dyslexia?
If you think your child has Dyslexia, you can ask the school to test/assess him. In the first instance:  Ask the class teacher, if you do not get a satisfactory answer in a reasonable time, say (two weeks), Ask the head-teacher to intervene, if you still do not have a satisfactory response, it may be better to   Go private, to a Specialist Teacher for a Diagnostic Assessment. Or  Go private to an Educational Psychologist or Go to a Specialist Dyslexia Testing Centre.

34.       Is there any treatment for Dyslexia?
If your child’s difficulties are identified, and an individual education plan (IEP) put into place, the child should be able to overcome his problems. This would usually involve a specialist teacher putting in alternative approaches to his work, i.e., (multi-sensory teaching methods), which use all the senses – especially visual techniques and physical movement. This method of teaching has proven to be highly effective and helps students to remember spellings more easily.

35.       Is there any research being carried out for Dyslexia?
*The NINDS and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Mental Health, conduct research on Dyslexia. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological basis of learning disabilities, and exploring the relationship between neurophysiological processes and cognitive functions with regard to reading ability.
*NINDS March 2005©

36.       Can you recommend some good books on Dyslexia?
There are hundreds of excellent good books around. dyslexia book list.

37.       Where can I get help for Dyslexia?
There are many useful organisations, click on dyslexia links.

38.       I want to get my child tested for Dyslexia, can I book a test?
Look at the signs for Dyslexia on the dyslexia checklist or go on-line and try one of the free dyslexia online tests.

39.       Can you test adults for Dyslexia?
Look at the signs for Dyslexia on the dyslexia checklist or go online and try one of the free dyslexia online tests.

40.       If I go to the Open University as a full-time student, can I get the ‘disabled student’s allowance’ (DSA)?

The Open University has a system similar to other Universities. To apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA), please go to their website. Open University to go direct to their website to obtain further help and advice.

It often takes quite a long time to claim this allowance, so you need to apply for it as soon as you intend to go to a university.
The Government is making changes to the DSA now so that things may change with this benefit.

What percentage of self-made millionaires are dyslexic?

According to LDOnline, 40% of the 300 millionaires who participated in the more comprehensive study had been diagnosed with dyslexia. Adrian Atkinson, a business psychologist who worked with the research group, noted that “Most people who make a million have difficult childhoods or have been frustrated in a major way.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/5665/

The Open University has a system in place similar to other Universities, to apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA), please go to their website. Open University to go direct to their website to obtain further help and advice.

It often takes quite a long time to claim this allowance so you should apply for it as soon as you intend to go a university.
The Government is making changes to the DSA at the moment, so things may change with this benefit.

1.   is Dyslexia real? Approximately 10% of the population have Dyslexia. Dyslexia is very real and is recognised as a registered disability and recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
2.   When was the term dyslexia invented? The term for Dyslexia was first invented in 1887 by a German Ophthalmologist Rudolf Berlin.
3.   Where was Dyslexia discovered? Dyslexia was discovered in Germany.
4.   Where does the word ‘dyslexia’ come from? The word ‘dyslexia’ comes from the Greek word, ‘dys’ term for ‘difficult’ and ‘lexia’ meaning reading, thus difficult with reading.
5.   Is it true that many self-made millionaires are dyslexic? Yes, most self-made millionaires are dyslexic. It is thought this is because they have often had to fight to succeed when they were younger and therefore have the tenacity to become a success.
6.   If you have Dyslexia are you stupid? No, you are not stupid if you have Dyslexia, on the contrary people who are dyslexic are usually very creative. Dyslexics think in a unique way, this is one of the reasons NASA have someone with Dyslexia on most of their teams. Another job they are really good at, is ‘spying’. In the UK, our ‘Spy Agencies’, actively recruit people with Dyslexia.
7.   Is Dyslexia a neurological disorder? pecialists consider Dyslexia to be a neurobiological condition that is genetic in origin – this means you can inherit this from your parents. This problem means it affects the part of the brain needed for learning to read.
8.   Is Dyslexia on the autism spectrum? Some people consider Dyslexia to be on the ‘autism spectrum’, however there are just as many people that say this is not correct. There is a lot of research being carried out at the moment. It is possible that you could have autism and Dyslexia in the same way you could have dyspraxia and Dyslexia or ADHD and Dyslexia.
9.   Is Dyslexia a condition? Dyslexia is a ‘condition’ that you have all your life. Specialist tutors can help teach you ways to overcome Dyslexia but you can never ‘cure it’ because it is not a disease.
10.              Is Dyslexia a special educational need? Dyslexia is a special educational need. In the UK, it is recognised as a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD).
11.              Is Dyslexia related to autism? Some people consider Dyslexia to be ‘related to ‘autism’, others however do not believe this is correct. There is a lot of research being carried out at the moment. It is possible that you could have autism and Dyslexia in the same way you could have dyspraxia and Dyslexia or ADHD and Dyslexia.
12.              Do chinese people have Dyslexia? It is estimated that 10% of Chinese are dyslexic. Just imagine what it must be like when they have over 50,000 characters to learn.
13.              Why do children want the same bedtime story over and over again? children who demand the same bedtime story be read to them over and over maybe learning more than those who choose a different tale every time, according to academics. More here