What is dyslexia?
The word ‘dyslexia’ comes from the Greek ‘dys’ meaning ‘difficulty with’ and ‘lexis’ meaning ‘word’ or ‘language’. So ‘dyslexia’ means literally ‘difficulty with words’.
The definition that Devon currently uses:
Dyslexia is evident when accurate and fluent reading and or spelling develops very incompletely or with great difficulty. This focuses on literacy learning at the “word level” and implies that the problem is severe and persistent despite appropriate learning opportunities. It provides the basis for a staged process of assessment through learning.
(British Psychological Society 1999)
Devon SpLD (Dyslexia) Service
The Devon SpLD (Dyslexia) Service is a team of qualified and experienced specialist SpLD (Dyslexia) teachers, who work in partnership with schools, staff, individual children and their families across Devon.
They offer assessments and consultations to support, advise and guide schools and parents to support children and young people with severe and persistent specific literacy difficulties. They also offer training for all staff in Devon schools.
If you feel that a child or young person would benefit from help from the Devon SpLD (Dyslexia) Service please ask their school if they can request support.
Dyslexia guides for parents
The Devon SpLD (Dyslexia) Service have created a series of guides, including these one specifically to support parents: