While it is often regarded as a learning difference, many are not aware of the unique skills that come with having dyslexia, for example strong visual, creative and problem-solving skills.
Some people are born with dyslexia, but others develop dyslexia later in life, usually as a result of damage to the brain. This is known as ‘alexia’.
Dyslexia varies from person to person and no two people have the same set of strengths and challenges. Characteristic features of dyslexia include challenges in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed.
Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities and is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, there are no clear cut-off points.
Many people with dyslexia possess unique skills. These skills vary from person to person, but commonly include having the ability to alter and create perceptions, see the bigger picture, coming up with big ideas and being great with creativity, story-telling and problem-solving.
Facts
- There is more than one type of dyslexia
- Dyslexia often runs in families
- Dyslexia does not affect intelligence
- Many famous people have dyslexia (for example, Richard Branson, Kiera Knightly, Whoopi Goldberg and Stephen Spielberg)