2.6. The impact of dyslexia

Dyslexia can have positive and negative impacts on children, young people, parents/carers and school staff. In both children and adults, when dyslexia is unidentified or unsupported the negative impact can be high.

Activity 3 Reflective Log

Think about your own experience of working with learners with dyslexia.

This is the list of factors associated with dyslexia that we identified as having an impact on individuals.

CreativitySpatial awarenessFrustration
De-motivationSocial skillsResilience
Relationship difficultiesLower achievement and attainmentIsolation
Low self-esteemRidiculeMental health
Attention to detailProblem solvingDepression
Fewer qualificationsDeterminationStress
AngerFeeling different 

In your Reflective Log note down some of the factors that have a positive impact and some which are negative.

Click 'Discussion' to see what we thought. Do note that these factors are contextual and there is no right or wrong answer.

Discussion

Positive impactNegative impactPositive and negative impact
CreativityFrustrationSocial skills
Spatial awarenessAnger
Verbal skillsIsolation
Holistic thinkingLow self-esteem
Attention to detailRidiculed
Problem solvingMental health issues
Practical tasks Depression
DeterminationFewer qualifications
ResilienceStress
Feeling different
De-motivation
Relationship difficulties
Anxiety
Perfectionist
Lower achievement and attainment outcomes

Every child is different and dyslexia will affect them in different ways. It is important to understand that there are both positive and negative aspects and that children and young people may need support to recognise and appreciate their strengths. Their strengths can often be key factors in helping them overcome the barriers they experience.

Positive aspects of dyslexia

There can be positive things about dyslexia which might include:

  • Can be very creative and enjoy practical tasks

  • Can have strong visual thinking skills e.g. seeing and thinking in 3D, visualising a structure from plans

  • Can have good verbal skills and good social interaction and like being with people

  • Can be good at problem solving, thinking outside the box, seeing the whole picture.

Negative aspects of dyslexia

The negative impact of dyslexia can manifest in a variety of ways:

  • When dyslexia is unidentified or unsupported the negative impact can be high – children often lose motivation and become frustrated through the stress of trying to learn, not understanding what dyslexia is and knowing that they are ‘different’ to others because they find difficulty in doing what to others are simple tasks.
  • This can lead to acute behavioural problems both at school and at home including bullying and anti-social behaviour, as well as low self-esteem and severe frustration for children not reaching their potential.
  • Dyslexia can also impact on parents, families and carers who become distressed that their dependents cannot get the support they need. This applies to both children and adults.

2.5. Dyslexia and inclusive practice

2.7. Breaking the myths