October is Dyslexia Awareness Month — an opportunity to learn more about dyslexia, challenge common misconceptions and understand how we can better support children who struggle with reading.
But what exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is more than reversing letters
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects word reading and/or spelling. Children may have difficulty reading words accurately, quickly, or both. These difficulties can continue even when they have received effective instruction.
One common misconception is that dyslexia is simply about reversing letters such as ‘b’ and ‘d’. It isn’t. Some children with dyslexia may reverse letters, but this is not what defines dyslexia.
What might dyslexia look like?
A child with dyslexia may:
- struggle to sound out unfamiliar words
- read very slowly or with a lot of effort
- have persistent spelling difficulties
- find it difficult to recognise familiar words automatically
- become frustrated or avoid reading
Every child is different, so dyslexia does not look exactly the same in every learner.
Does dyslexia mean a child is not intelligent?
No. Dyslexia is about how a child learns to read and spell. A child can have strengths in many other areas while still experiencing significant difficulty with literacy. This is why it is important to understand the child’s strengths as well as their learning needs.
Early support matters
The good news is that support can make a difference. The International Dyslexia Association’s updated definition highlights the importance of identification and targeted instruction at any age, while early language and literacy support can be particularly helpful.
Instead of asking: “Why can’t my child read like everyone else?” we can ask: “What does my child need to become a more confident reader?”
At Joyeux, we believe that understanding a child’s individual learning needs is an important first step towards meaningful support. This Dyslexia Awareness Month, let’s move from awareness to understanding — and from understanding to support.
References
International Dyslexia Association. (2025). Definition of dyslexia. https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/
International Dyslexia Association. (2025). 2025 definition glossary and resources. https://dyslexiaida.org/2025-definition-glossary-and-resources/