Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-based difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken information. It can make it harder to recognise words, read fluently, spell accurately, and express ideas in writing, even when a child is bright, curious, and eager to learn.

Dyslexia does not reflect a child’s intelligence or effort. It simply means they process language differently. With the right support, children with dyslexia can become confident, capable readers and learners.

What It Can Look Like

Dyslexia presents differently for every child, but you might notice:

• Difficulty remembering or recognising words that others seem to pick up easily

• Challenges with spelling, letter order, or mixing up similar sounds

• Trouble following sequences, recalling instructions, or retelling stories

• Reading that feels slow, effortful, or avoids certain words

• Difficulty writing or copying from the board

• Strong verbal skills but difficulty expressing ideas in writing

These experiences can sometimes lead to frustration or low confidence not because the child isn’t capable, but because the way information is presented doesn’t match how their brain learns best.

How to Support a Child with Dyslexia

Children with dyslexia thrive when learning is multi-sensory, structured, and strengths-based. Helpful supports include:

• Multi-sensory learning: Combining sight, sound, and movement, for example, tracing letters while saying their sounds aloud.

• Visual supports: Using colour coding, charts, or symbols to organise and remember information.

• Explicit, structured teaching: Breaking down reading and spelling into clear, consistent steps.

• Repetition and review: Returning to previously learned skills often to build mastery.

• Extra time: Allowing longer for reading and writing tasks to reduce pressure.

The Role of Therapy

Therapy for dyslexia is built around evidence-based literacy instruction, often referred to as the Big 5. These are the core areas shown by research to make the biggest difference in reading success:

1. Phonological Awareness – Understanding that words are made up of sounds and being able to identify, blend, and manipulate those sounds.

2. Phonics – Learning the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and the letters (graphemes) that represent them.

3. Fluency – Developing accurate, smooth, and expressive reading through repetition and supported practice.

4. Vocabulary – Building a rich understanding of words and their meanings to support comprehension.

5. Comprehension – Learning strategies to make meaning from what is read, such as predicting, summarising, and questioning.

By targeting these five pillars, therapy supports both the mechanics of reading and the confidence needed to engage with text. At SMART Spot, we integrate these foundations into fun, practical, and meaningful literacy experiences that help every child grow as a reader and communicator.

A dyslexia diagnosis doesn’t define a child, it explains how they learn. When we understand that difference, we can tailor environments, teaching methods, and expectations to match their unique strengths.