THIS week celebrates National Dyslexia Awareness Week, and with estimates of the number of individuals affected ranging from one in 20 to as many as one in six, it is more common than you might think.

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty, rather than a learning disability, and involves struggling with reading, spelling and writing.

It is not related to background or level of intelligence, and can affect anyone. Nor is it a bar to success on its own. Notable high fliers with dyslexia include Microsoft founder Bill Gates, as well as the celebrity chef James Martin.

It is usually recognised around the age of seven or eight, when a child falls behind at school. They may have difficultly reading words, spelling is often erratic, and written instructions may be very hard to follow. At its worst, some people with dyslexia have described letters and words appearing as just swirls on the page. Yet the same child may have no problems with following spoken instructions, and may shine in many other areas.

It is not entirely clear what causes dyslexia, but a genetic element has been suggested by the fact that parents of some children with dyslexia will have the same difficulties.

If you or your child’s teacher suspect dyslexia, it is likely that the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) will be involved, for a full assessment of abilities and needs.

You may also be referred to your GP to assess your child’s eyesight and hearing, as these are two potential reasons for falling behind in the classroom.

An assessment by as Educational Psychologist is also part of the process, after which an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be drawn up.

Despite a diagnosis of dyslexia, the majority of children will still be able to continue in mainstream education, with only a minority needing to attend a specialist school.

The mainstay of treatment is a method called phonics, where words are broken down into smaller segments and even individual letters. Children are challenged to identify the difference between similar sounding words, for example “hat” and “hot”.

Multi-sensory input involves getting the child to see a letter or word, write it in the air while saying it same time, as a way of reinforcement. Continuing this at home can be very helpful, and even if it means reading the same book over and over again with your child, this may give them the confidence and desire to keep going.

The outlook is positive, providing dyslexia is identified and managed early.

Most universities are dyslexia aware, suggesting that individuals can achieve high levels of education.

Modern technology has provided not only spell checkers, but also voice recognition software so that words can be dictated onto a page, rather than needing to be written or typed. Employers are also expected to provide reasonable adjustments, such as allowing extra time for tasks and providing information in both verbal and written formats.

As Cork-based specialist Sascha Roos said: “Dyslexia is about finding creative solutions that will empower people with dyslexia to succeed.”