What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects a person’s ability to read, spell, write, and sometimes speak. It is neurological in origin and typically runs in families, meaning it can be inherited. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, and with the right support, individuals with dyslexia can achieve great success in education, work, and life.

Dyslexia affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. People with dyslexia may find it harder to match letters to sounds, break words into phonetic parts, or recognize familiar words by sight. These challenges can vary in severity and often become more noticeable when a person starts school or learns a new language.

Although dyslexia is a lifelong condition, many individuals develop effective coping strategies and benefit from tools and accommodations that support their learning and communication style.

Common Signs of Dyslexia

Dyslexia can manifest in different ways depending on the individual and their age. Some common signs and symptoms include:

  • Difficulty learning the sounds that letters and letter combinations make

  • Trouble remembering sequences such as the alphabet, months of the year, or days of the week

  • Struggling to blend sounds together when reading new or unfamiliar words

  • Confusing words that look or sound alike (e.g., "was" and "saw", "there" and "their")

  • Frequent or inconsistent spelling mistakes, even with familiar words

  • Slow or effortful reading and writing

  • Needing to re-read text to understand or remember it

  • Difficulty following verbal instructions or recalling spoken information

  • Problems with organization, time management, or concentration

  • It’s important to remember that everyone experiences some of these difficulties from time to time. However, if several of these signs occur regularly and persist over time, it may suggest dyslexia.

What is Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers. Sometimes referred to as “math dyslexia,” dyscalculia is a neurological condition that makes it hard to grasp number-related concepts, perform calculations, and understand symbols or patterns in math. Like dyslexia, dyscalculia is unrelated to intelligence—individuals with this condition may be highly capable in other areas but struggle significantly with mathematical tasks.

Dyscalculia can appear as early as preschool and often becomes more noticeable as children start learning formal arithmetic. It is a lifelong condition, though the way it presents may change over time. Some individuals develop coping strategies, but many continue to experience challenges in everyday life, especially when dealing with money, time, directions, or measurements.

Common Signs of Dyscalculia

People with dyscalculia may face difficulties in both academic settings and day-to-day tasks. Common signs include:

  • Difficulty learning to count or recognizing patterns in numbers

  • Struggling to understand numerical concepts such as quantity, value, or place value

  • Problems with basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

  • Frequently forgetting math facts or number sequences (like times tables or counting by tens)

  • Confusing similar-looking numbers (e.g., 6 and 9, or 12 and 21)

  • Difficulty estimating time, distance, or quantity

  • Trouble telling time on an analog clock

  • Avoiding games or activities that involve numbers or strategy

  • Anxiety or frustration when faced with math-related tasks

  • Dyscalculia doesn’t always look the same for every individual. Some may have trouble remembering math rules, while others find it hard to visualize numbers or understand graphs and charts.

Why Getting Assessed Matters

If these challenges sound familiar—either for yourself, a colleague, or someone in your care—a dyslexia and/or a dyscalculia assessment could be a helpful next step. A formal diagnosis can lead to:

  • Greater self-understanding and confidence

  • Access to learning tools and support strategies

  • Accommodations in school, exams, or the workplace

  • Improved communication and productivity

  • Tailored learning or work plans based on strengths and needs

With the right support and awareness, people with dyslexia can thrive in a wide range of careers and academic paths. Early identification and intervention can make a significant difference in managing dyslexia

Dyslexia Assessments with Chrissy

Chrissy is a highly qualified teacher and specialist assessor with many years of experience in education. She brings a deep understanding of neurodiversity and learning differences to her work, providing full diagnostic assessments for dyslexia in children, university students, and adults. Her assessments are thorough, and her recommendations are clear, practical, and grounded in expert knowledge.

Chrissy holds an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), which means she’s qualified to carry out full diagnostic assessments for dyslexia to the highest professional standards. She’s also an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), recognising her specialist training and expertise in supporting individuals with specific learning difficulties.

For adults, in addition to providing comprehensive diagnostic assessments for dyslexia, Chrissy also offers educational assessments for ADHD and can diagnose developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) as a specific learning difficulty. These assessments can be used to access Disabled Students' Allowance through Student Finance.

To explore more about Chrissy and her work please visit www.lexety.com

Disclaimer:

Please note that the decision of who to work with is entirely up to the individual. While Chrissy offers a highly professional service, Flourish with Neurodiversity does not endorse or hold any responsibility for the services provided. Individuals are encouraged to make their own informed choices when seeking assessment or support.