Celebrating Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025: Article by Katrina Kear-Wood, HWDA Honorary President
The Dyslexic Thinking movement launched by Made by Dyslexia in 2017, a global charity made up of a community of successful dyslexic individuals and their allies, is changing the way the world sees dyslexia. They aim to educate the world on the brilliance of dyslexia and empower it in schools and the workplace.
https://www.madebydyslexia.org/
In 2022 ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ was added to the dictionary and recognised as a skill on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/empowering-dyslexic-thinking-at-work/
Dyslexics see the world differently and this can be a huge advantage in sport, creativity and entrepreneurial positions. Studies have shown that most self-made millionaires are more likely to be dyslexic. In 2003 the BBC documentary study ‘Mind of a Millionaire,’ found 40% of the 300 millionaires tested were diagnosed with dyslexia, when dyslexics make up an estimated 10 per cent of the population. Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg, Walt Disney, Ingvar Kamprad founder of Ikea and Jamie Oliver included.
Dyslexics tend to be very good lateral and strategic thinkers, making them good problem solvers: creative, innovative, better at visualising concepts, big-picture thinkers with grit and determination, born from academic struggles, which they compensate for by exploring new ideas and strategies to find success. Strong communication and interpersonal skills can also be associated with leadership. Dyslexics often have a unique perspective , persistent and resilient as they have to work harder to achieve success.
Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 runs from the 6th to the 12th of October and the British Dyslexia Association theme is ‘Dyslexia: Raising the Volume,’ focusing on the voices of dyslexic young people. The premise is ‘Let’s add our voices together and build momentum for change. Shine a light on challenges of our children and young people experience in the education system.’
Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 sees the launch of the first ever voice petition ‘ Hear Us.’ The BDA has teamed up with Jamie Oliver and others to launch this petition, calling for two key changes: screen children for dyslexia within their first two years at school and equip teachers with the training and resources to support every child. Jamie Oliver says:
“An education system that only works for some kids and not everyone is broken.”
The BDA launched a report, ‘Set up for somebody else’, into young people with dyslexia in the education system to shine a light on the experiences and challenges of our dyslexic young people and children in school. It sets out what young people think would help them and recommendations for government.
A young dyslexic, age 14 shares their experience:
“Most teachers didn’t really understand what it’s like to be dyslexic. They just thought I was being lazy or not paying attention, but really, I was trying my best.”
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/support-us/awareness-events
On the HWDA website, in the children’s area you can read a poem: ‘You just don’t understand’, inspired by Alexander, age 8, where he shares his school experiences, including being sent outside to work on his own.
You Just Don’t Understand
You just don’t understand what it’s like to be me.
All this reading wobbly letters makes me very un hap py.
I have dyslexia, for me that means visual perception difficulties and other confusing things.
I can’t do my shoelaces, I can’t tell the time, will it still be like this when I’m 9?
Writing is selfish, it’s a disgrace, what’s on that piece of paper under my face?
The paper’s white, there’s a glare when I stare.
I keep on looking, But…..I’m not getting ANYWHERE!
(If I were an alien I’d be on Mars, spying on the Earthlings and looking up at the stars).
I’m a disappointment, I just don’t understand,
I look at my page-it’s just not how I had it planned!
The story I imagined full of adventure and fun, it’s not on my page, now I want to RUN!
(In front of me there’s a blank)
(If I was an ocean I would have a deep abyss.
Deep down…. like a hump back whale, there I would stay, so I could NOT fail)
I WAS good at maths, Now that’s getting tricky.
Learning the time, now that’s taking the Mickey!
More words which won’t keep still, all this movement is making me quite ill.
(If I were a tree I would be in the deep dark rainforest making the canopy.
Birds would flock to rest inside, I’d be invisible, I could hide).
I feel my life is over, (Although it’s just begun), I just don’t get my brain, I want another one!
It doesn’t make sense, I don’t know what to do, please sir, can I go to the loo?
My pencil needs sharpening, I’ve dropped my rubber on the floor,
Oh, he’s coming over-he’ll be asking for more!
(If I were a scientist I’d think out of the box,
Like Einstein and Jenner, who prevented the pox!)
The teacher’s talking, I’m not sure what to do, if I look busy, he won’t have a clue!
Now I’m talking to the friend next to me, did sir say 1, 2 or 3?
(If I were a chameleon I’d have a disguise, find a beautiful plant under which I’d hide).
They think I’m not working hard, but my brain IS working really fast.
I just don’t see it, I don’t understand.
Sent out for talking in class, when people walk by, will they laugh?
My life is ruined, I feel SO dumb, “It’s OK we can work on this, ” says mum.
The name is dyslexia, how am I suppose to spell that?
It means you’re wired differently, what do you think about that?
Like one of the greats Branson, Gates, Picasso too, it’s all about finding what works for you.
That’s not so scary, there’s a long way to go, but now there’s a word of which I know.
It’s called dyslexia, which is part of me, I’m beginning to celebrate my neuro diver sity!
The Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association have been sharing stories from our children, young people and adult dyslexics over the last year, highlighting both their dyslexic thinking skills and challenges faced. Our stories can be found on our website, highlighting the difference understanding makes to children and young people’s confidence and self-esteem. Here are just a few of the stories.
These are just a few of our Stories. To see all we have to date, including videos and interviews, please follow the link below:
The Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association teach with a multi-sensory approach to learning, our motto is: ‘If a child can’t learn the way we teach, we must teach the way the child learns.’ Children with dyslexia benefit from a supported environment, a structured approach to learning, with direct, explicit instructions, scaffolding and chunking, accommodations in class, support with executive functioning, including organisation time management.
We have heard from three generations of the same family, how supporting learning and confidence has a positive and long-lasting impact, for education and self-worth, as well as future careers. Esther talks to us with her daughter Caitlyn, who started at the Bromsgrove Workshop age 7, and now has two first class honours degrees, working as a specialist neonatal nurse. She talks about the strength of dyslexia, creativity and seeing outside the box. Her son currently attends the same workshop. Caitlyn attributes the workshop for providing her with building blocks and seeing how her dyslexia is not a bad thing.
The benefit of an understanding and supportive environment is illustrated in our Testimonials:
‘The workshop is different and more enjoyable than school. There is no rush and you can go at your own pace. ‘
‘The workshop helped me achieve my goals. ‘
‘The help has allowed me to flourish as an individual. ‘
‘Knowing your child is completely understood is priceless. ‘
‘I have gained in confidence and not so worried about completing school work. ‘
These are just some of the testimonials highlighting how understanding of dyslexia can positively impact, not just education outcomes but the whole child and young person for their life.
In September the HWDA were invited to join a SEND roundtable on Mental Health with guests and decision-makers from the Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Trust and Worcestershire County Council. The HWDA recognise the importance of supporting wellbeing, at our AGM in 2024 we presented on The Emotional impact of Dyslexia, alongside parent Claire, a mental health nurse. Our website signposts to numerous resources to support your child and young person.
Parent carer well-being is important too. Both Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum and Herefordshire Parent Carer Voice run regular social meet ups meet ups, which we share on our Facebook page.
