When most people think of dyslexia, they picture someone struggling to read or spell correctly. The assumption is often that dyslexic people just need to try harder, read more slowly or get extra help with phonics. It is more complicated than that. Dyslexia is not simply about mixing up letters; it is a neurological difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. For many dyslexic people, words and letters can look quite different on the page from how a non-dyslexic reader sees them.
What happens in the dyslexic brain?
Dyslexia is a neurobiological difference, meaning it comes from how the brain is wired rather than a lack of intelligence or effort. The British Dyslexia Association explains how it affects the way information is processed. Research using brain imaging has shown that dyslexic people process language differently. While non-dyslexic readers mainly use the left hemisphere of the brain (particularly areas like the left occipito-temporal region), dyslexic readers tend to use these areas less and often rely on other neural pathways, such as the right hemisphere and frontal lobes. This can lead to differences in:
- Phonological processing: finding it harder to break words into their sounds, which can make decoding slower.
- Visual processing: some dyslexic people report seeing words that appear to move, blur together or change as they read.
- Working memory: finding it harder to hold several pieces of information in mind while reading or writing.
- Processing speed: taking longer to recognise words or understand text.
So reading feels different from one dyslexic person to the next. Here are some of the ways text can look.
How dyslexic people see words
The way words appear to a dyslexic reader can be very different from how a non-dyslexic reader sees them. Below are some common visual distortions people describe. Not every dyslexic person experiences them, and some of these effects are linked to visual stress, a sensitivity to light and pattern that is separate from dyslexia but more common in dyslexic readers.
1. Letters that move or swap places
Some dyslexic people describe words and letters as though they are shifting on the page. Letters might swap positions (for example, “was” becoming “saw”), or they may seem to dance around, making it difficult to focus.
2. Blurring and smudging
For some, text can look as though it has been smudged, making it hard to tell individual letters or words apart. This can be especially challenging with long paragraphs or dense academic text.
3. Overshadowing and ghosting
Some dyslexic readers experience an overshadowing effect, where certain letters or words seem to be covered by shadows, making them harder to read. Ghosting can also occur, where faint duplicates of letters appear above or beside the real ones, creating a confusing overlay.
4. Text that appears to shake or vibrate
Some people experience words that seem to shake or vibrate as they try to read, making it difficult to concentrate on individual words or sentences.
5. Words blending into one another
Instead of distinct spaces between words, some dyslexic people see text as a continuous stream, making it hard to tell where one word ends and the next begins.
6. Uneven spacing between words and sentences
7. Parts of letters appearing to be missing
The strengths of the dyslexic brain
While dyslexia brings challenges with reading and writing, it also comes with real strengths. The way dyslexic brains process information can lead to advantages in:
- Big picture thinking: seeing connections that others miss and coming at problems from unusual angles.
- Creative problem-solving: many dyslexic people do well in fields that need original thinking, such as architecture, design and entrepreneurship.
- Spatial awareness: many dyslexic people have strong spatial reasoning, which suits roles in engineering, art or aviation.
- Storytelling and communication: despite challenges with writing, many dyslexic people are brilliant at telling a story and getting ideas across out loud.
Famous people often described as dyslexic include Agatha Christie and Richard Branson, and historical figures such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci are often said to have shown dyslexic traits. You can read more in our spotlight on Richard Branson’s dyslexic thinking, and about why these strengths matter at work in 7 benefits of employing dyslexic people.
How to support dyslexic people
Understanding that dyslexia is more than reading difficulties makes it easier to offer the right support. Here are some strategies that can help, at school, at home and at work. Our guide to dyslexia in the workplace goes into more detail for employers.
1. Use dyslexia-friendly fonts
Fonts like Dyslexie and OpenDyslexic are designed to reduce letter confusion and make reading easier for some people. Clear sans serif fonts with good spacing also help, and our dyslexia style guide sets out simple formatting choices that make documents more accessible.
2. Break up text
Short paragraphs, bullet points and clear headings help dyslexic readers process information more easily.
3. Provide audiobooks and text-to-speech tools
Listening to text while following along can improve comprehension and retention. AI tools are opening up new options too, as we explore in how AI is becoming powerful assistive technology.
4. Allow extra time
Dyslexic people may need more time to read, process and respond to written information.
5. Use coloured overlays
Some readers find coloured overlays, or changing the background colour on screens, reduces visual distortions.
6. Focus on strengths
Rather than focusing only on difficulties, build on the areas where dyslexic people excel, such as problem-solving, creativity and visual thinking.
Conclusion
Dyslexia is not a simple case of reading and writing difficulties. It is a different way of processing language that can change how words appear on a page. Once you know that, the old stereotypes about effort and intelligence are hard to defend. Give dyslexic people the right support, recognise what they are good at, and they do well in all sorts of fields.
How Enna can help
Dyslexic talent is a real advantage when the workplace is set up for it. Our workplace needs assessments pinpoint practical adjustments for individual employees, and our reasonable adjustments training helps managers put them into practice with confidence. Book a call and we’ll talk through what your organisation needs.
If you’re dyslexic and looking for work, browse roles with inclusive employers on the Enna jobs board, and sign up for job alerts to hear about new ones first.
