Myths surrounding dyslexia

How much do you think you know about dyslexia on a scale 1-10. 1 being little and 10 - a lot.

1. 1. What percentage of population is believed to have dyslexia?

• between 5-20%

• between 1-5%

• between 20-40%

• between 40-60%?

Answer explanation

Between 5-20% of people are believed to have dyslexia, however, this number can be higher due to insufficient evidence.

2. 2. Dyslexia is a disease.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

2. 2. False. Dyslexia is a type of neurodiversity caused by the brain’s difficulty to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols.

3. Dyslexia can be cured.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

3. Dyslexia cannot be cured. Dyslexia is a lifelong neurodiversity condition, but individuals can learn how their brain works and use it to their advantage.

4. Dyslexic individuals can acquire reading and literacy skills at any age.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

4. Dyslexic individuals can acquire reading and literacy skills at any age. People can learn to overcome the condition at a later age with the right approach.

5. Dyslexic individuals have a limited capacity for learning.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

5. False. As in the general population, dyslexic individuals may have average, above average or an advanced potential for learning.

6. Writing words and numbers backwards is an early sign of dyslexia.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

6. False. Many young children mix letters and other symbols as they are first learning to read.

7. Dyslexia is often associated with difficulty in solving problems.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

7. False. Dyslexic individuals very often bring a unique and different perspective to a problem, as a more straightforward approach is not something that has worked for them in the past. There are plenty of examples of brilliant solutions by famous dyslexic people, including Albert Einstein, Richard Branson, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Leonardo da Vinci, to name a few.

8. Dyslexia is hereditary.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

8. True. It is often the case that a dyslexic individual’s parents, siblings and other family members will also have this neurodiversity. In fact, if either parent is dyslexic, there is a 50% chance of passing along that gene.

9. There are advantages to dyslexia.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

9. True. Dyslexic learners possess a talent for seeing patterns, and solving puzzles. Many neurodiverse individuals are especially creative and display a particular enthusiasm for new ideas and concepts.