Busting dyslexia myths

Myth: People ‘grow out’ of dyslexia

Truth: Dyslexia is lifelong but the important thing to remember is that most people with dyslexia develop ways to overcome the difficulties. With the right support and inclusive learning and working environments, people with dyslexia can find new ways to achieve their full potential. 

Myth: Dyslexia doesn’t exist

Truth: Dyslexia exists in all cultures and across the range of abilities and socio-economic backgrounds. There is a wide range of research evidence about dyslexia, carried out by experts across the fields of education, genetics, design and neuroscience.

Myth: Dyslexia is just about reading and spelling

Truth: As well as reading and spelling difficulties, people with dyslexia can also have difficulties such as short-term and working memory and processing speed. Other things that can be difficult are sequences, organisational skills and following directions. 

Myth: People should go to the doctor to find out if they are dyslexic

Truth: Doctors cannot tell you if you are dyslexic. Dyslexia is not a medical condition or an illness. Most people find out if they are dyslexic in school or by a qualified dyslexia assessor. 

Myth: Dyslexia is an isolated learning difficulty

Truth: Dyslexia often co-occurs with other neurodivergences like dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). It’s important to remember though that not everyone with dyslexia will experience other learning differences – everyone is different.

Myth: Dyslexia only affects boys

Truth: Both males and females can be dyslexic. Despite this, in our recent study, Dyslexia Scotland found out that girls and women are identified on average two years later than boys and men.

Myth: Coloured overlays will ‘fix’ dyslexia

Truth: Coloured overlays are used to treat the effects of visual stress. Visual stress and dyslexia are different things, but some people have both. Coloured overlays and paper can help some people with visual stress, but they do not help specifically with dyslexia.

Myth: Identification of dyslexia isn’t necessary

Truth: Education in Scotland is needs-led, which means that children and young people do not need an identification, or ‘label’ of dyslexia, to get the support they need. However, knowing that there is a name for the difficulties they experience can be helpful for lots of children and young people.

Adults often need an identification of dyslexia to ask for things like reasonable adjustments in the workplace; however, the cost of a private assessment for adults can be a huge barrier to this.

Myth: All people with dyslexia are creative

Truth: People with dyslexia have a wide range of strengths – just like everyone else. There’s no solid evidence that dyslexia itself guarantees extra creativity, for example. It’s important for each person to discover their own unique talents and to nurture them.

Myth: Comic Sans is the perfect typeface for people with dyslexia

Truth: Research shows that people with dyslexia can read different typefaces and will find ones that they prefer. Adjusting the space between letters and lines in type can make reading easier.

Quiz

Have you learned the dyslexia facts? Test your knowledge with the quiz. You can enter your name for a prize draw if you take part. If you don’t get 10/10, go back and read the facts further up this page to refresh your knowledge.