Dyslexic people don't just "see" words differently; their brains struggle to process the sounds (phonemes) and sequences of letters, leading to text appearing blurry, jumbled, or moving, while they also confuse similar letters (b/d, p/q) and struggle to connect letters to sounds, making reading slow, effortful, and sometimes causing headaches or eye strain, though it's a language-based difficulty, not a visual acuity problem. Text might seem to jump, shake, or swirl, words can get mixed up (like "now" for "how"), and recognizing familiar words becomes a fresh challenge each time.
When people with dyslexia see text on a page, a whole range of different phenomena can occur. For example, some people may experience letters appearing to jump around, while others might confuse similar-looking letters that are close in appearance. It can vary greatly from person to person.
People with dyslexia may say a wrong word that sounds similar to the right one (like extinct instead of distinct). Or they may talk around it using vague words like thing or stuff. This kind of mental hiccup can happen when they're writing too. Trouble finding the right word is one of the most common signs of dyslexia.
Five key characteristics of dyslexia include difficulty with accurate and fluent reading, problems with spelling and writing, trouble retrieving words or mixing up sounds, avoiding reading/writing tasks, and challenges with sequencing (like days of the week or times tables), often stemming from difficulties with phonological processing (connecting sounds to letters).
Characteristics of dyslexia-friendly fonts include: The heavier bottom portion of letters, helps to indicate direction. Wider letter spacing to reduce crowding. Distinct letter shapes prevent confusion between similar-looking letters such as 'b' and 'd'.
A dyslexic person might have any of the following problems:
Understanding and supporting individuals with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyspraxia is essential for fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment. These disorders can also coincide with other conditions such as ADHD and Autism, requiring a comprehensive approach.
Confusion between left and right. Struggling with tasks like tying shoes. Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words. Trouble memorizing important things like their address or phone number.
No, dyslexia is not a form of ADHD; they are two separate, distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, but they frequently co-occur because they share some overlapping symptoms like inattention, memory issues, and executive function challenges, making accurate diagnosis important for proper treatment. ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder affecting focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while dyslexia is a specific learning disability impacting reading, spelling, and language processing.
5 things not to say to your child about dyslexia
According to UMHS, the following conditions can present similar symptoms and difficulties to dyslexia:
Tricky words in English often involve confusing spellings, silent letters, or subtle meaning differences, with examples including homophones like there/their/they're, spelling challenges like accommodate (double letters) and rhythm (no vowels), and usage confusion such as imply vs. infer, bring vs. take, and sight words like was, are, and the that don't follow phonetic rules. These words can trip up both learners and native speakers due to pronunciation discrepancies or similar forms with distinct meanings.
Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world didn't let his dyslexia hold him back.
But if a child has a low IQ and additional problem with dyslexia, that just is going to mean that they're going to have even more difficulty learning to read. But knowing that, most people with dyslexia are, at least, average or above-average IQ. So, it is not related to intelligence at all.
Famous actors like Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom all have dyslexia. Pablo Picasso's teachers described him as “having difficulty differentiating the orientation of letters”.
Signs of dyslexia (adult)
Symptoms of dyslexia in children aged 5 to 12 include:
The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functions (like self-regulation, planning, and emotional control) in people with ADHD develop about 30% slower than in neurotypical individuals, meaning a 10-year-old might function more like a 7-year-old in these areas, requiring adjusted expectations for maturity, task management, and behavior. It's a tool for caregivers and adults with ADHD to set realistic goals, not a strict scientific law, helping to reduce frustration by matching demands to the person's actual developmental level (executive age) rather than just their chronological age.
All people, young and old, can experience overwhelming stress and exhibit signs of anxiety, but children, adolescents, and adults with dyslexia are particularly vulnerable.
General signs to look for are:
While there are various ways to classify dyslexia, four commonly discussed types focus on specific reading challenges: Phonological Dyslexia (sound-letter connection), Surface Dyslexia (whole-word recognition), Rapid Naming Dyslexia (speedy identification), and Double Deficit Dyslexia (a combination of phonological and rapid naming issues). These types highlight different core difficulties, from sounding out words to recognizing them quickly, and help guide tailored support strategies.
Dyslexia does not worsen over time. However, the demands of adult life—more complex reading, multitasking, or workplace expectations—can make its effects more noticeable. With continued support, individuals often learn to manage their challenges and build on their strengths.
Three dimensional thinking and making connections
Many people with dyslexia demonstrate better skills at manipulating 3D objects in their mind. Many of the world's top architects and fashion designers have dyslexia.
The BDA Level 7 Diploma in Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention (AMBDA and AMBDA FE/HE) provides training for individuals who already hold ATS/APS (or equivalent) and have a professional interest in assessment for dyslexia.
Famous dyslexics