Dyslexia is a fairly common, yet specific learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.  It does not affect intelligence.  

An estimated 1 in 10 people in the UK have some degree of dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a learning difference which affects approximately 10% of the population. 

In 2009, Sir Jim Rose’s report on ‘Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties’ gave the following definition of dyslexia:

• ‘Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
• Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed.
• Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.
• It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points.
• Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia.

There are many advantages to dyslexia too; good spatial knowledge, improved pattern recognition, sharper peripheral vision, highly creative and an ability to think outside the box.

Did you know?  1 in 3 business entrepreneurs in America have dyslexia.
Here are some highly successful and famous people who have dyslexia:
Jennifer Aniston and Tom Cruise - Actors
Steve Jobs - Creator of Apple Computers
Cath Kidston - Fashion designer
Pablo Picasso - Painter
Richard Branson - Virgin owner and entrepreneurs
Walt Disney - Creator of Disney
Dr Carol Greider - Noble Prize Winner 2009
Albert Einstein - Inventor, theorist and all round genius
Thomas Edison - Inventor (of the lightbulb amongst others)
Winston Churchill - British Prime Minister
George Washing, J F Kennedy and Thomas Jefferson - U.S. Presidents
(the list could go on and on).
 
We're also here to support parents with dyslexia who can request newsletters and information in a different format.
 
For further support, please speak to your class teacher or school SENDCO, Miss Carter

Additional support can be found online (please follow the links):

The BDA Helpline (0333 405 4567) is completely free and confidential for all dyslexia related calls and emails. The BDA Helpline provides dyslexia information and advice surrounding dyslexic issue