Dyslexia in a Digital World: Your Need-to-Know Guide

Reading Time: 7.6 mins

Published: November 24, 2024

We’ve created a support guide to clarify the often misunderstood learning difficulty of dyslexia.

Our guide aims to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia. It provides a straightforward overview of what dyslexia is and how it can affect children and young people. Additionally, we offer practical actions you can take to support these individuals and help minimise digital barriers they might encounter.

©British Dyslexia Association

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects how the brain processes certain types of information, impacting an individual’s ability to read, write, and spell. The severity of dyslexia can range from mild to severe and varies from person to person. It often becomes evident when environmental challenges arise, making it difficult to diagnose and leading to delays in essential early intervention support.

Dyslexia is sometimes referred to as a specific learning difficulty (SpLD). This term is used by professionals to describe challenges in specific areas of learning, unlike general learning difficulties, which involve problems across multiple areas. Other examples of specific learning difficulties include dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Dyslexia is classified as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. It is a condition that can have substantial and long-term negative effect on an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. One of the most widely accepted definitions of dyslexia is given by the NHS which states:

“Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.

It’s a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing.

Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn’t affected.”

Source: NHS

The British Dyslexia Association produced an informational video that explains how someone with dyslexia may see the world differently. You can view it below.

Source: British Dyslexia Association

To support the identification of Dyslexia, the Northern Ireland Dyslexia Centre produced guidance on some indicators of dyslexia in various age groups.

View Here

The British Dyslexia Association have also introduced a guide for parents on how to best support their child or young person in the areas of spelling, reading, handwriting and homework.

View Here

According to the NHS some of the most common symptoms experienced by children with dyslexia, aged 5 to 12 years old are:

Difficulties with learning the sounds of letters.
Switching letters and figures around (e.g. writing an ‘6’ instead of a ‘9’).
Reading and writing slowly.
Being able to answer questions well verbally, but struggling to answer in writing.
Poor handwriting.
Struggling to carry out a sequence of directions.
Getting the order of letters wrong when writing words.

For young people (and adults), some of the common symptoms listed by the NHS include:

Difficulty meeting deadlines.
Avoiding reading and writing.
Struggling to plan and write homework, essays etc.
Lack of organisation and expression in written work.
Forgetting things like phone numbers and PINs.

Beyond Books

Dyslexia affects more than just literacy skills; it can impact daily activities, especially since it often occurs alongside other conditions. People with dyslexia may also experience physical symptoms, such as challenges with gross and fine motor coordination, which can make physical education, play, hobbies, and extracurricular activities more difficult.

The British Dyslexia Association notes that individuals with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) like dyslexia often face higher levels of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

In today’s digital world, it’s crucial to recognise the barriers that individuals with dyslexia may encounter. Many aspects of children and young people’s lives now occur online, from gaming and social media interactions to communication with friends and family. For those with dyslexia, navigating these online spaces can be challenging, particularly when it comes to reading, writing, and managing passwords.

A child or young person might worry about their difficulties being exposed when communicating online, which can lead to feelings of vulnerability, judgment, or even bullying. While they might receive support in the classroom where their work is seen by a limited audience, online interactions often lack immediate assistance, leaving their writing open to peer review.

Social media can be a high-pressure environment, and young people with dyslexia may struggle to express themselves fully online. Without adequate support, they might feel misunderstood or socially excluded.

An estimated 10% of the population have dyslexia, but it is still very poorly understood.

British Dyslexia Association

Overcoming Barriers in Learning

When supporting individuals with dyslexia, it is important to ensure all educational resources provided are accessible. Every child and young person should have equal and fair access to education, aiming to meet their specific learning needs. This should include all resources being appropriately adapted, from handouts to homework.

The British Dyslexia Association highlights some of the following advice through their dyslexia friendly style guide.

Use Sans Serif fonts such as Arial or Comic Sans – these letters appear less crowded.
Use a font size of at least 12 point.
Avoid underlining and italics as this causes ‘crowding’.
Use a single colour background with sufficient contrast levels between the background and the text.
Consider alternatives to white backgrounds for visual aids and paper resources, such as cream or pastel paper.
You can also consider using one of the typefaces especially designed for individuals with dyslexia, such as OpenDyslexia, familiarising yourself with the Web Accessibility Content Guidelines.

What are the Web Accessibility Content Guidelines?

Also known as WACG, the guidelines are internationally recognised recommendations of how to improve accessibility of websites, apps, and digital services. These include recommendations such as providing captions for videos, making sure content can be read by a screen reader, and using text colours that show up clearly against the background colour of the page.

Source: GOV.UK

Assistive Technology

Technology can be a valuable tool for individuals with dyslexia, often helping to overcome barriers to literacy, reading, and communication while boosting self-confidence.
Here are some examples of supportive technology:

Text-to-Speech Software: This tool helps individuals understand written material and proofread their work, enabling them to review and correct their text before presenting it.
Mind Mapping Software: Designed to aid in organising thoughts and planning work, this software can help reduce confusion and stress for those with dyslexia.
Scanning Software and Reading Pens: These tools allow users to scan and listen to text in various formats, making information more accessible.
Spell Checkers: Specialised spell checkers for dyslexia can automatically correct written communication, easing the burden of editing.
Computer-Based Learning Programs: Programs tailored for individuals with dyslexia can support skills in reading, writing, touch-typing, and numeracy.

illustration of a phone with voice assist on it

Safeguarding Concerns

Children and young people with dyslexia may be at higher risk of bullying, both in school and online, particularly when their reading and writing difficulties are more visible.
Without access to assistive technology for online communication, a young person might feel excluded from social interactions, such as engaging on social media.
Inadequate support in education can have significant consequences, affecting not only academic performance but also future educational and career opportunities. This lack of support can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, and feelings of exclusion.
Social isolation and low confidence may also increase vulnerability to unhealthy habits and relationships.

How to Support a Child or Young Person with Dyslexia

Discuss dyslexia with the child or young person in your care, focusing on how it affects their academic and social life. Ask them about the barriers they encounter and work together to find ways to overcome or reduce these challenges.
Highlight successful individuals with dyslexia to boost their confidence. This could include well-known figures like Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Branson, and Amy Childs, as well as professionals in various fields such as space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Don’t forget to mention people with dyslexia they might know personally who have achieved success.
Determine the best ways to support the child or young person by creating conducive learning environments, minimising distractions, and using personalised, accessible resources. For additional advice, consult the British Dyslexia Association.
Ensure you are following best practices for creating accessible resources, and remember that each individual is unique.
Utilise our safeguarding resources to help the individual stay safe online. Explore our Teach and Home Learning Hubs for more tools and information.
Teach the child or young person about trusted adults so they know who to turn to for support. Learn more in our blog on Trusted Adults.
Visit our Safety Centre to learn how to block users and report comments on various apps, games, and platforms.
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