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Understanding dyslexia

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2 Signs and indicators

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty with a combination of strengths and weaknesses that can impact academic learning. Listed below are some of the possible strengths and challenges:

Table 1 Strengths and challenges
Strengths	Challenges
Ability to visualise in 3D	Lack of concentration
Vivid imagination/thinker	Distractibility
Motivation	Difficulties with sequencing
Determination	Slow processing
Perceptiveness	Taking notes
Multidimensional thinking	Writing logically
Intuition	Slow reading rate
Problem solver	Time management
Curiosity	Poor listening skills
Creative thinker	Low self-esteem
Original/inventiveness	Organisation
Ability to make connections	Short-term/working memory difficulties
Resourcefulness

Dyslexia will manifest differently in everyone, but there are some common indicators.

Table 2 Common indicators
Area	How dyslexia might impact your learning
Organisation/time management difficulties	Difficulties with personal organisation, time management and prioritising tasks Difficulty finishing exams within the time limit Can feel overwhelmed
Procrastination/emotional	Avoiding certain types of work or study Finding it very hard to get started Getting distracted easily
Reading	Slow reading pace and fluency Re-reading texts to understand them Frequently losing place in text
Spelling	Erratic spelling Similar sounds may cause confusion Difficulty ‘hearing’ sounds
Listening	Problems with note-taking Listening and taking notes in lectures simultaneously Finding background noise distracting
Writing	Difficulties in organising and structuring written work Difficulties in sequencing, e.g. alphabet, phone numbers Restricting written vocabulary and ideas due to known organisational and spelling difficulties
Memory difficulties	Retaining and recalling information Difficulties with short-term/working memory, e.g. dates Often forgetting conversations, important dates, messages
Concentration difficulties	Difficulty with listening and maintaining focus Finding it hard to concentrate if there are distractions Feeling mentally overwhelmed
Spatial/temporal	Left/right confusion Finding map reading difficult Getting confused when given several instructions at once
Number/maths difficulties	Difficulties in mental maths work Problems with remembering maths tables Can have difficulties with telling the time and understanding money
Motor control	Difficulty with copying Handwriting difficulties Coordination problems Poor pen or pencil grip
Self-confidence/self-esteem	Low self-esteem and confidence Knowing you can do something, but not understanding why you can’t perform as well as peers sometimes Finding some tasks really easy, but being unexpectedly challenged by others
Potential helpful skills	Good visualising skills Often thinking of creative solutions to problems Good verbal ability Good at presentations and speaking Ability to link information to the big picture, to a global view Seeing connections Seeing inconsistencies Using analogies and metaphors

Previous 1.2.3 Mood after the diagnosis

Next 3 Children, young people and dyslexia

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2 Signs and indicators