What is dyslexia?

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Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects reading, writing and spelling.

Many people find that dyslexia brings all sorts of positive gifts, such as exceptional creativity, imagination, communication skills, problem-solving and the ability to think outside the box.

However, people with dyslexia may also have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, and this can affect the development of their literacy skills.

Dyslexia can also affect other areas such as organisational skills, numeracy, language, motor coordination and concentration.

No two people with dyslexia are the same.

Dyslexia can range from mild to severe.

It often runs in families and is a life-long learning (neurological) difference.

It is estimated that at least one in ten people in the UK have dyslexia.

Dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence; it affects people from all cultures and all different walks of life.

Many of the great breakthroughs in the way we lead our lives today have resulted from the ability of people with dyslexia to think differently, and come up with new solutions to old problems. Einstein was dyslexic. And so was Steve Jobs. And Leonardo da Vinci.

We know that dyslexia can overlap with other specific learning difficulties such as dyspraxia and attention problems.

Children and adults with dyslexia often experience low confidence, low self-esteem and may find it hard to reach their full potential without appropriate support in place. But because people with dyslexia see the world differently, often more creatively, they are the people more likely to make a difference to the world.

The key is to get the right support at the right time.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity are here to help.