Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties

Find out about dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (SpLD) and what to do if you think your child is dyslexic

About Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can affect reading, writing and spelling skills. It is a lifelong condition. It is not linked to intelligence but it can make learning more difficult.

Find out more about the signs of dyslexia on the Dyslexia Association website.

What specific learning difficulties (SpLD) mean

SpLD affects the way someone learns and processes information, for example:

learning to read, write, spell and use numbers
organising themselves
managing their time
remembering things
the ability to cope in busy environments

SpLD is not the same as a learning disability.

SpLD can range from mild to moderate to severe. The most common SpLDs are:

Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Find out more about SpLD on the Dyslexia Association website.

If you are worried your child might be dyslexic

If you are concerned about your child's progress with reading and writing, your first step is to talk to their teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO).

SENCOs can work with you and put special educational needs (SEN) support in place to help your child make progress. Your child does not need a diagnosis to receive extra support at school.

If you are still concerned after talking to your child’s teacher or SENCO, take your child to see a GP. It may be that your child has health problems that are affecting their ability to read or write.

For example, they may have:

vision problems
hearing problems
other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

If your child is aged 5 years and under and you are worried about their speech and language, you can:

speak to your health visitor
attend one of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s drop-in clinics at one of our children’s centres

Help from our Learning Support Service

If your child continues to have difficulties even with additional learning support at school, you can ask your child’s teacher or the school’s SENCO to refer your child to our Learning Support Service.

Find out more about how our Learning Support Service can help your child.

Get a private assessment

If you want, you can pay for a private dyslexia assessment. These organisations offer private assessments:

Training courses for parents or carers

The Adult Dyslexia Centre offers an understanding dyslexia course for parents or carers who want to learn more about dyslexia and how you can help your child.

Find out more about the course and when they are taking place on the Adult Dyslexia Centre website.

The British Dyslexia Association website has more information on how you can support your child.

More about dyslexia and SpLD

The NHS website has more information on the symptoms of dyslexia and how to get a diagnosis.

The British Dyslexia Association, a national dyslexia charity, provides guidance for parents and carers on how to support a child or young person with dyslexia.