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10% of the population are dyslexic.

This means in New Zealand there are half a million people who are dyslexic. Dyslexia is easily hidden so it is hard to know if someone is dyslexic. Dyslexics use their problem solving strengths to cover their challenges, such as, getting other people to read or write for them, working harder to get something done or using phones to help with spelling, 

It also means many dyslexics, because they can read and write okay, do not know they are dyslexic. They may think they are not very smart because they cannot cope with their workload, it takes them longer to do tasks at work or while studying like writing emails and reports or they have difficulty understanding verbal instructions.

Challenges for Dyslexics

Phonological awareness
  • It's difficult to hear and process the sounds that make up words.
Short term memory
  • It's difficult to remember instructions.
  • It's hard to remember parts of sentences when you are reading.
  • It's hard to retain information if too much is given at once.
  • It's difficult to hold information in your head so you can write it down.
Ordering and sequencing information
  • It's difficult to write down what is in your head. It's easier to say it rather than to write it.
  • It's hard to make writing flow so that it makes sense. For example, writing an email or report at work might be challenging.
  • Dyslexia makes it hard to know how to start when writing.
Processing auditory information
  • It's hard to understand if verbal information is given too fast.
  • When concentrating, it's easy to be distracted by other noise.
  • It's difficult to retain verbal instructions.
Compensated Dyslexic
Some dyslexics can read and write more easily than others. They have used their problem-solving skills and strong visual memory to compensate for their dyslexia-based challenges. Compensated dyslexics tend to read "by gist". They use context and their knowledge to work out the gist of what they are reading. this becomes a problem when you have to know what each word means (such as in maths, word problems and assessment questions). Increased workload makes their normal coping strategies less reliable and will increase feelings of anxiety.

​Strengths for Dyslexics

Visual thinking
  • It's easier to process information if you can see it and visualise it.
Big-picture thinking
  • You have the ability to see the end result and imagine how everything works or fits together before starting.
  • You like to keep adding information to your big picture with more learning through being curious and asking questions.
Problem solving
  • You can connect large amounts of information to come up with different ideas and solutions.
  • You're solution focused and will look for a way to make something better.
  • Your problem-solving process happens so quickly and naturally it can be hard to explain the process to others.
Empathy
  • You have an ability to understand how other people feel.
  • You accept others as they are and create inclusion.

Where to next?