What is dyslexia?

A definition of dyslexia

Education expert Sir Jim Rose gave the following definition when presenting his dyslexia research to the UK Government in 2009.

“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.

A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds or has responded to well founded intervention.”

How many people are affected by dyslexia?

Approximately 10% of the UK’s population is affected by dyslexia to varying degrees and about 4% is severely affected.  This may include a significant number of a company’s staff, associates and customers. 

Dispelling dyslexia myths

Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, race or social background and many people with dyslexia are very creative and determined, excelling in a range of occupations. Dyslexia need not be a barrier to success but it is important for many that they are given appropriate support to help them overcome problems which might arise in the workplace.

This can enable employees to work to their full potential and at the same time boost staff morale and lead to greater efficiency and success.

Source: Dyslexia Action website

http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/Page.aspx?PageId=207

Is Richard Branson sweeping your shop floor?

The film “Good Will Hunting” is about a young man with a menial janitor’s job who is actually a mathematical genius. Many dyslexic people have an unusual ability to “see the whole picture”, or create innovative designs. Many visionaries are dyslexic. There are many dyslexic employees in the workplace whose inability to succeed at school work has consigned them to menial jobs, but who may actually have the strategic vision of a Richard Branson (dyslexic), the inventive ability and perseverence of an Edison (dyslexic) or the creative originality of a John Lennon (dyslexic). If you’ve never perused a list of famous dyslexics, click on this link: http://www.dyslexia.com/famous.htm, and ask yourself: do I have any such talents working for me, unrecognised, unfulfilled and unproductive?

Dyslexia Assessment

There are a number of assessment tools available to help you identify the hidden dyslexics in your workforce, and there may be money available to help fund their training. Your local Business Link should point you in the right direction. For an excellent online test, developed as a collaborative project between the BDA and Lucid Research, go to the British Dyslexia Association site  and click on the Dyslexia Test link at the top.

Given the right support, a dyslexic individual can become - to use a gardening image - a significant tree at the centre of the garden; not a little forget-me-not hiding under a stone, or even worse, a weed by the wayside!