What is Dyslexia?

It is thought that up to one in ten people may be dyslexic and many of these people are unaware that there is a reason behind their struggles. Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty which affects a person’s ability to read or write fluently.  Learners may have problems with short term memory, spelling, writing, rapid naming (objects, colours, letters or numbers), spelling, distinguishing sounds in words or concentrating. Dyslexia can affect people from any background or walk of life, regardless of intellectual ability.  It should be seen as a continuum as no two people have exactly the same symptoms or level of severity of dyslexia.  Some may find they are particularly gifted in other areas such as art, yet all have their own strengths and weaknesses.