About Dyslexia

The British education system places enormous emphasis on reading and writing skills, which can make life very difficult for dyslexic children. English is also a particularly difficult language to read, because of the many irregularities in its sound-spelling relationships (compare rough, bough, lough, through, though, cough). It has been estimated that as many as 20% of British adults may be functionally illiterate. In Italy, where the language is much more regular, and the education system depends less on written work and more on oral tests, dyslexia may be less frequently diagnosed.

Dyslexic children's difficulties may become apparent when they begin to learn to read. However, many children show signs of dyslexia before they learn to read. They may be unexpectedly clumsy, or have problems concentrating. There may also be dyslexia in the family.