What is it like for siblings if their brother or sister has dyslexia?

Dyslexia is what may be called a hidden disability. This means that you can’t tell if someone has dyslexia just by looking at them. Also, people who have dyslexia may not know that they have it but may still find things hard at school . Siblings say that their brothers and sisters who have dyslexia or find things hard at school may need extra help from their parents with schoolwork and homework. This can make siblings feel left out if their parents don’t spend time with them too.

What causes dyslexia?

Nobody really knows what causes dyslexia. It is something that a person is born with. It can’t be caught, like a cold.

What does it mean?

People who have dyslexia have difficulty reading, spelling and writing. They might find it harder to learn things at school.

What treatment is there?

There is no medicine for people who have dyslexia but they can learn how to manage it. Children with dyslexia might get extra help with lessons at school and extra time to do their work. Older children can use computers to help them with their spelling and writing.

Information approved by the British Dyslexia Association March 2024