What Is Dyslexia? Busting the Myths
- cbtbournemouth
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
🌟 Why Start with the Basics
This Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025, let’s begin by clearing up some common misunderstandings and assumptions associated with years of stigma around Dyslexia.
Dyslexia is one of the most widely recognised yet still misunderstood learning differences. Many people are diagnosed with Dyslexia but it’s likely many more live struggling without diagnosis.
I often meet adults in therapy who’ve lived for years believing they were “bad at school” only to later discover they are dyslexic. Understanding what dyslexia really is (and isn’t) can be the first step toward self-acceptance. But it’s also important for those without dyslexia to understand and challenge their own misconceptions and beliefs too.
💭 Myth 1: “Dyslexia Means You’re Not Smart”
This is one of the most damaging misconceptions.
Dyslexia is not linked to low intelligence. Many people with dyslexia are highly creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.
The challenge lies in how intelligence is assessed and way in which the dyslexic brain processes information. Dyslexia is not linked to low intelligence.
Dyslexia does impact reading, writing, spelling and memory.
Each person with dyslexia has unique strengths and challenges.
📎 Read more about dyslexia on the British Dyslexia Association website.
📚 Myth 2: “You Grow Out of Dyslexia”
Dyslexia is a lifelong neuro developmental difference.
People with dyslexia often develop strategies and tools that make reading and writing easier, but the underlying difference remains.
Recognising this helps adults seek support without feeling as though they’ve “failed” to overcome something.
⏳ Myth 3: “It’s Just About Reading and Spelling”
While reading and spelling difficulties are common, dyslexia can also affect:
Working memory
Processing speed
Organisation and planning
Learning new languages
These differences can influence school, work, and even daily life. These differences can have a catastrophic impact on self esteem and on mental health.
With dyslexia the brain processes information differently and gives a different way of thinking. Dyslexic people can excel in creative problem solving, in creativity and innovations. But their needs should be acknowledged and changes put in place in enable them to thrive.
🧠 Dyslexia and Emotional Wellbeing ⛑️
Many people with dyslexia have experienced years of being misunderstood or feeling “stupid, slow, dumb”.
This can lead to:
Anxiety in school or work settings
Fear of failure
Low self-confidence or self-criticism
As a CBT therapist, I often support adults in challenging those long-held beliefs and developing self-compassion.
📎 Find out how CBT can help with dyslexia-related stress.
🌱 Moving Toward Understanding and Support 💗
Awareness is the key to inclusion.
When we recognise the facts about dyslexia and challenge misconceptions and assumptions we can work towards a more helpful conversation and attitude of inckuaion.
Through this we can:
Offer better support in classrooms and workplaces
Reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety
Celebrate the strengths that often come with dyslexic thinking
Together we can create environments where neurodiverse minds thrive and unhelpful negative core beliefs can be challenged. 💛
💥📣 Join the Movement 📢💥
Dyslexia Awareness Week is the perfect time to:
Learn more via the British Dyslexia Association
Search #DAW25
Share this post to challenge common myths
Seek support if you’ve experienced anxiety or self-doubt linked to dyslexia.
If you’re interested in using private medical insurance or self funding therapy with a therapist who gets what it’s like, you can book an initial CBT consultation here.
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