Advice

One in ten people is dyslexic. But having difficulty with words doesn't have to hold you back. Get clued-up on dyslexia here, including how we know we've got it and how it's treated...

What does it mean?

Dyslexia literally means "difficulty with words". It affects one in ten of us, some more than others, and famous dyslexics include Jamie Oliver and Richard Branson.

If we have dyslexia:

• We often have difficulty with reading, writing and spelling. It takes us longer to do these things. We have to try harder.
• We may be better at talking than we are at writing.
• We learn best by being "hands on" and trying things out.
• We are often very good at other stuff; like art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, or engineering.
• We may get fed up at school as we often fall behind in some subjects. Or get told we're not trying. Or get put on the slow table.

Why does it happen?

Being dyslexic doesn't mean we're thick. We may score very highly on IQ tests. It has nothing to do with intelligence. Dyslexia often runs in families. It may be in our genes.

How do I know if I have dyslexia?

If you think you have dyslexia, speak to your teacher. Every school should have a special needs coordinator who could test you for dyslexia, or arrange an educational specialist to do this.

How is dyslexia treated?

If we have dyslexia we should receive educational support. This support aims to help overcome the problems dyslexia brings. So that we can maximise your potential.