Ask the Dyslexia Lady: If you can read, can you still be dyslexic?

My teenage daughter has done her mock GCSEs and not got the grades she expected. I’m worried.

Her dad is dyslexic, so I do wonder if this could be the problem for her, too. The thing is, she’s such a good reader that it seems silly even to suggest it. She reads a lot of fantasy novels for fun – even really long ones.

I still have a nagging worry, though. Could she be dyslexic?

–‘Bookworm’s Mum’

Dear Bookworm’s Mum,

You’re not being silly at all!

It’s true that most dyslexic children have problems learning to read. What many parents don’t realise is that many dyslexics ‘muddle through’, so that no one ever notices their struggles with reading.

Some dyslexics are able to remember the shape of words they’ve seen and how to say them. But, for them, the process of how to read might remain fuzzy. As a result, they end up guessing at a lot of words while reading.

This might not be a problem when reading for pleasure, where it’s not vital to recognise every word. But when it comes to reading exam papers? All that ‘muddling through’ can cause problems!

We call these ‘muddlers’ compensating dyslexics. The good news is: it’s not too late to help your child to ace her exams. Find out 6 ways to help a compensating dyslexic.

Good luck!
The Dyslexia Lady

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