What is Dyslexia?

The Devon Local Authority has settled on the following definition of Dyslexia:

"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" (British Psychological Society 1999)

The SpLD Assessment and Standards Committee (SASC) adopted a new updated definition of dyslexia, which the main professional bodies have also adopted (BDA, PATOSS & Dyslexia Guild). March 2025:

The Delphi definition of dyslexia.

Nature
"The nature and developmental trajectory of dyslexia depend on multiple genetic and environmental influences."

Manifestation
"Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling. 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. Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills can contribute to the impact of dyslexia."

Impact
"In dyslexia, some or all aspects of literacy attainment are weak in relation to age, standard teaching and instruction, and level of other attainments. Across languages and age groups, difficulties in reading fluency and spelling are a key marker of dyslexia. Variance and co-occurrence Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity. Dyslexia can affect the acquisition of other skills, such as mathematics, reading comprehension or learning another language. Dyslexia frequently co-occurs with one or more other developmental difficulties, including developmental language disorder, dyscalculia, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder.""

Carroll, J., Holden, C., Kirby, P., Snowling, M. J., & Thompson, P.A. (2025) Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

If you would like to know more about Dyslexia or need help understanding either of these definitions, I am more than happy to help and am always contactable via email.

What qualifications should a dyslexia tutor or assessor have?

A specialist dyslexia tutor should have a level 5 qualification which will provide them with the title of Dyslexia Specialist Tutor. A level 5 course is needed for anyone wanting to work privately as a dyslexia tutor or to work in a role designated for a dyslexia specialist.

Dyslexia specialists who are qualified to MA level (level 7) will have done further training past level 5 in Psychometric Testing and assessment and are formally qualified to assess for Dyslexia.

As a parent looking for a 1:1 dyslexia tutor, you should ensure your tutor has a level 5 qualification and for assessments, a level 7 qualification. A level 7 assessor should also hold an APC (assessment practising certificate), meaning the report provided on the results can be used for the Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA).

How to support the working memory

• Use simple language and don't speak too fast so as to avoid over loading your child with information
• Give instructions one at a time and ensure each instruction is grasped before continuing
• Find out what your child is struggling with, and be prepared to recognise when it is necessary to repeat instruction etc

If you would like more specific strategies for supporting your child's working memory, please get in touch for personalized advice.