The term dyslexia comes from the Greek for ‘difficulty with words’. It is believed that one in 10 children has the condition.
Dr Peter Gardner, who is the co-founder of a specialist school for children with dyslexia and related conditions, says there are many girls whose dyslexia has not been recognised.
To help Mums to understand the particular problems facing girls, Dr Gardner has launched a free fact sheet on the condition.
Dr Gardner says: “It appears to be likely that there are many girls whose learning difficulties and dyslexia have not been and are still not adequately recognised.
“The fact that many boys are referred because of reading/literacy difficulties, is likely to be because of the way that they express their frustration in an outwardly directed fashion, as contrasted with girls who, tend to internalise their feelings to themselves in class”.
"Parents naturally want the best education for their daughters. They know that good literacy skills are the building blocks to educational success and a satisfying career. But many parents are in the dark about the special educational needs of their daughters - and how best to help them because they are simply not being diagnosed with the condition."
“All teachers need to be on the look out so that the literacy problems of girls are not left undiagnosed and untreated.”
The free Fact Sheet is available from: "Dyslexia in Girls Fact Sheet", Appleford School, Shrewton, Nr Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 4HL. T: 01980 621020 E:
secretary@appleford.wilts.sch.uk. Further information is on the Appleford School website at:
www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk Source: -
www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk
