Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images©As it’s Dyslexia Awareness Week (from October 5), we asked Sue Flohr, Head of Policy at the British Dyslexia Association, to answer a few questions in order to shed some light on this condition.
What is dyslexia, and how common is it?
“Between 10-15% of the UK population have dyslexia. Yet it is still something that a lot of people don’t fully understand.
“Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills that we need in order to be able to read and spell fluently.
“However, it does not only affect these skills. People with the condition may have difficulty processing and remembering information that they see and hear. It can also impact other areas such as organisation.
“As well as challenges, it can also bring many strengths,” Sue explains. “People with dyslexia see the world differently. Some have strengths such as design, problem solving, creative skills, interactive skills and oral skills.”
Sue Flohr. Picture courtesy of British Dyslexia Association.
What are the signs of dyslexia?
“In young children, early signs of speech delay, auditory processing or motor control can be contributory factors to watch out for.
“For example, a problem with muddling words, learning nursery rhymes, coordination, or simply with following instructions could be indicators that need following up.
“Concerns can be raised with a Nursery Key Worker, a Health Visitor or GP.
“Dyslexia can have an impact on adults’ lives, too. Our organisation’s website or Helpline is a good place to start to find help and resources.”
How can I help?
“You can help by ensuring that you fully understand how the disability can affect their day-to-day living.
“Offering to help complete forms, write letters or to simply act as memory prompter would be an enormous benefit.
“If you think that you or someone that you know might need help, start by looking at the website above to learn more.”
For more health advice from “The People’s Friend”, click here.
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
