{"id":27457,"date":"2024-10-17T10:51:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T09:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/?page_id=27457"},"modified":"2025-05-15T18:05:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T17:05:28","slug":"what-is-dyslexia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/cognition-and-learning\/devon-spld\/dyslexia-guides\/what-is-dyslexia\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 9 What is dyslexia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-dyslexia\">What is dyslexia?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-delphi-definition\">The Delphi definition<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#where-can-i-find-out-more\">Where can I find out more?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#contacts\">Contacts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68261ed5bfecb\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EcEWydRPZWNDrZTDRGxAP5IBFm3mDAUuB_XainKZmOZYHg?e=uROPXA\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No. 9 What is dyslexia? (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-dyslexia\">What is dyslexia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word \u2018dyslexia\u2019 comes from the Greek \u2018dys\u2019 meaning \u2018difficulty with\u2019 and \u2018lexis\u2019 meaning \u2018word\u2019 or \u2018language\u2019. So \u2018dyslexia\u2019 means literally \u2018difficulty with words\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Service recognises that there are many different definitions of dyslexia. Devon Local Authority (LA) has settled on one definition in order to provide clarity for everyone concerned. This definition is supported by current research evidence and is used by a professional body representing educational psychologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The definition that Devon currently uses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 \u201cword level\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(British Psychological Society 1999)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This definition focuses on observable difficulties rather than possible causes because there is no agreement about what the underlying causes are, or indeed which characteristics, other than a difficulty developing literacy skills, are common to all students who might be labelled \u2018dyslexic\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-delphi-definition\">The Delphi definition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Delphi definition has recently been adopted by&nbsp;the British Dyslexia Association and other professional associations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>In dyslexia, some or all aspects of literacy attainment are weak in relation to age, standard teaching and instruction, and level of other attainments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Across all languages, difficulties in reading fluency and spelling are key markers of dyslexia.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>The nature and developmental trajectory of dyslexia depends on multiple genetic and environmental influences.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Dyslexia can affect the acquisition of other skills, such as mathematics, reading comprehension or learning another language.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The most commonly observed cognitive impairment in dyslexia is a difficulty in phonological processing (i.e. in phonological awareness, phonological processing speed or phonological memory). However, phonological difficulties do not fully explain the variability that is observed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills can contribute to the impact of dyslexia.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>Dyslexia frequently co-occurs with one or more other developmental difficulties, including developmental language disorder, dyscalculia, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder.<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-can-i-find-out-more\"><strong>Where can I find out more?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to know more about this complex area, the following websites provide more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bdadyslexia.org.uk\/dyslexia\/about-dyslexia\" rel=\"noopener\">British Dyslexia Association<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/dyslexiaaction.org.uk\" rel=\"noopener\">Dyslexia Action<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.patoss-dyslexia.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PATOSS<\/strong> <\/a>&#8211; Professional Association for Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Service, we feel that what is most important is that we will seek to identify a student\u2019s specific areas of difficulty and then aim to support the school in addressing the pupil\u2019s specific needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contacts\">Contacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:DevonSpld@devon.gov.uk\">DevonSpLD<\/a><a href=\"mailto:DevonSpld@devon.gov.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:%20deborah.lynch@qe.devon.sch.uk\">deborah.lynch@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:%20ann.atherton@qe.devon.sch.uk\">ann.atherton@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:%20rebecca.hughes@qe.devon.sch.uk\">rebecca.hughes@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:%20ossian.pleasance@qe.devon.sch.uk\">ossian.pleasance@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68261ed5bfeee\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2024-10-17T10:51:51+00:00\">17\/10\/2024 10:51am<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-05-15T18:05:28+00:00\">15\/05\/2025 6:05pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is dyslexia? The word \u2018dyslexia\u2019 comes from the Greek \u2018dys\u2019 meaning \u2018difficulty with\u2019 and \u2018lexis\u2019 meaning \u2018word\u2019 or \u2018language\u2019. So \u2018dyslexia\u2019 means literally \u2018difficulty [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2755,"featured_media":0,"parent":27416,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-27457","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 9 What is dyslexia?","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EcEWydRPZWNDrZTDRGxAP5IBFm3mDAUuB_XainKZmOZYHg?e=uROPXA","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-10 12:06:30","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27457"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32485,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27457\/revisions\/32485"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}