Dyslexia Awareness Month is October every year, and it’s the time of year when we focus on promoting a more accessible and inclusive world for people with dyslexia, as well as celebrating dyslexic excellence! Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder that primarily affects an individual’s ability to read, write, and spell. It is characterised by difficulties in processing phonological awareness, decoding, and fluency. Contrary to some misconceptions, dyslexia is not a result of laziness, lack of intelligence, or inadequate teaching. Instead, it is a lifelong condition that can significantly impact an individual’s academic and personal life if not properly understood and addressed. In fact, dyslexia has nothing to do with IQ. Most dyslexic people have average to above average intelligence.
One common misconception about dyslexia is that it is a rare condition, but it’s quite prevalent. Approximately 1 in 5 individuals may have some degree of dyslexia. This means that in an average classroom, there are likely to be a few students struggling with dyslexia-related challenges.
Dyslexia and ADHD are often linked. It is estimated that 40% of people with dyslexia also have an ADHD diagnosis and with this combination, they use five times more energy to complete mental tasks.
Dyslexic people do have many strengths to offset their challenges. They have excellent 3D spatial abilities. They learn well from experience and they remember facts as stories. They are big picture thinkers, great at making connections and seeing multiple perspectives.
According to a new report published this week to launch Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025, six in ten children and young people hide their dyslexia and eight in ten believe people assume they are not clever because of their dyslexia.
As the mother of two dyslexic offspring, the daughter of a dyslexic mother, I am well aware that it is hereditary and runs in families. This doesn't make it any easier when advocating for your child in a school setting, so I am always very quick to highlight their strengths. These books show dyslexics and teachers in a good light.
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his.
This true story is based on the author’s experiences. Trish struggled to read as a child, and her teacher realized she had dyslexia. With Mr. Falker’s encouragement, Trish learned to read. This classic book is a love letter to dedicated teachers like Mr. Falker, who give their students the help they need to succeed.
Bea has dyslexia, but she is an amazing storyteller. A teacher helps Bea record her stories and play them back so that Bea can share her talent with her classmates. This inspiring story will teach reluctant readers how to find their strengths.
From Albert Einstein to Agatha Christie, Pablo Picasso to JFK, Dyslexic Legends Alphabet presents an eye-opening and motivational A to Z of legends with dyslexia who have made their inspirational mark on our world.
Tom isn’t sure if he has any talents at all when he sees how good his friends are at writing and reading. But a school competition soon helps him to find his own very special talent ! Children with Dyslexia or a learning difficulty often find school a daunting and sometimes terrifying daily task. In an environment where certain skills, like writing and reading, are praised and highlighted more than others, it is important for children to recognise that everyone has a ‘special talent’ of their own.
When Sammy's group loses their map on a camping trip, can he use his SEN Superpowers to save the day and lead them safely back to the campsite? The Map Challenge (Special Education Needs Superpowers) explores the topic of dyslexia with an empowering story.
There are novels as well that a parent might choose to read to their dyslexic child. In the Percy Jackson series, the protagonist Percy Jackson has dyslexia and ADHD, reflecting the experiences of author Rick Riordan's son. Riordan created Percy to show that learning differences aren't failings but rather innate abilities that become strengths in other areas, such as a demigod's brain being wired to read Ancient Greek instead of English. My son relished these books and the Alex Rider series. He still spends time listening to stories, mostly from Audible on his phone as he works.
Books, such as the Little Gems series published by Barrington Stoke market themselves as 'dyslexic friendly' which means they are:
- Child-friendly, chunky format – perfect for small hands
- Easy-read font to help reading flow
- Well-spaced, appealing layouts with lots of colour illustrations
- Gently tinted, heavy paper – kinder to young eyes and helps to settle the text
Of course, there are nonfiction books with the word 'dyslexia' in the title that you might find helpful, but many are overly didactic and dwell on the weaknesses of dyslexics and not the strengths.
