October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. It is a time to stand tall, share knowledge, and push for change at school, at home, and in the workplace.

This year we’re joining the Go Red for Dyslexia campaign, created by Darren Clark and Succeed With Dyslexia. The aim is to raise awareness and celebrate dyslexic voices.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that changes how the brain processes information. It is not linked to intelligence.

People with dyslexia may find reading, writing, spelling, or memory tasks harder. They may also need more time to process information or stay organised.

But dyslexia also brings strengths. Many dyslexic people excel in creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking.

Explaining Dyslexia

To a child: “Reading and spelling might take longer, but your imagination and ideas are super strong. You learn in your own way, and that’s brilliant.”

To a parent: “Dyslexia can make school challenging, but it also brings creativity and determination. With the right support, children can thrive.”

To a manager: “Dyslexia affects memory, organisation, and processing speed. But it also brings innovation and resilience. With small adjustments, I can do my best work.”

You can copy and share these words with those who need to understand.

Fighting for Early Dyslexia Diagnosis

Every child deserves support as soon as possible. Across the UK, however, waiting lists for assessments are long and access is inconsistent. Families are often left struggling while children lose confidence.

If you’re looking for an assessment, the Adult Dyslexia Centre offers diagnostic assessments for children, students, and adults.

Parents can also connect with Jo Rees, who provides mentoring and guidance for families navigating the system.

Dyslexia in the Workplace

Dyslexia does not end at school. Many adults are diagnosed later, sometimes at university or when workplace demands make challenges more visible.

Common workplace challenges include taking extra time to read or check emails, forgetting verbal instructions unless written down, and struggling with organisation or time management.

In the UK, dyslexia is recognised under the Equality Act 2010. This means employers must make reasonable adjustments.

Examples include:

• Clear written instructions
• Extra time for reading and writing tasks
• Assistive technology such as speech-to-text, read-aloud tools, and mind maps
• Templates and checklists to reduce overwhelm

Employers can also book a Workplace Needs Assessment through the Adult Dyslexia Centre.

Common Questions About Dyslexia

1. How do I know if I (or my child) might be dyslexic?
Look for signs such as difficulty reading, spelling, writing, remembering instructions, or staying organised. If these challenges persist, it’s worth seeking an assessment.

2. What causes dyslexia? Can you grow out of it?
Dyslexia has a genetic and neurological basis. It often runs in families. It is lifelong. You don’t grow out of it, but with strategies and support people succeed.

3. Does dyslexia mean lower intelligence?
No. Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence. Many dyslexic people are highly intelligent, creative, and innovative.

4. When and how is dyslexia diagnosed?
Assessments can be carried out at any age by specialist teachers or educational psychologists. They include reading, writing, memory, and processing tests, plus school or work history.

What help is available once someone is diagnosed?

• In school: extra time, SEN support, note-taking help, EHCPs if needed
• In higher education: Disabled Students Allowance, assistive technology, study support
• In the workplace: Equality Act adjustments, workplace assessments, templates, and mentoring

Dyslexia and Entrepreneurship

Many dyslexic people choose to start their own businesses. Research shows they are often highly entrepreneurial, with strong skills in creativity, problem-solving, and seeing opportunities others miss. Running a business allows them to play to their strengths and build careers on their own terms.

But entrepreneurship also brings challenges. Dyslexic business owners may find:

• Bookkeeping and financial organisation overwhelming
• Admin tasks time-consuming and stressful
• Marketing and social media difficult to manage
• Confidence knocked by negative past experiences in school or the workplace

These barriers hold people back from sharing their skills and growing their businesses.

That’s why having the right support is so important. With the right systems, tools, and people around them, dyslexic entrepreneurs can focus on what they do best and let their businesses thrive.

Celebrating Dyslexic Strengths

Dyslexia brings challenges, but it also brings creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and resilience.

Campaigns like Go Red for Dyslexia and advocates such as Jo Rees remind us that dyslexia is a difference, not a deficit.

Join the Movement

This October, let’s go further than awareness. Let’s take action.

• Families: ask about assessments and seek support early
• Employers: make adjustments and build inclusive workplaces
• Everyone: on 8th October, International Dyslexia Day, Go Red for Dyslexia. Wear red, share your story, and raise awareness

Taking the Next Step

In this blog we have looked at what dyslexia is, why early diagnosis matters, how the workplace can become more inclusive, what it means to be entrepreneurial, and answered some of the most common questions.

These are real issues people face every day:

• Families waiting too long for assessments
• Children losing confidence without the right support
• Adults in the workplace needing fair adjustments
• Business owners feeling overwhelmed with admin and organisation

This is where support makes the difference.

At the Adult Dyslexia Centre, children, students, and adults can access diagnostic and workplace needs assessments. Jo Rees offers mentoring and parent guidance to help families navigate the system.

At Dyslexia Desk, we support dyslexic business owners so they don’t feel weighed down by back-office tasks. We provide:

• Bookkeeping and financial organisation
• Admin and back-office support
• Social media management

Together, we can take away the stress, give people the tools they need, and let dyslexic voices shine.

If you’d like to find out more, email us at hello@dyslexia-desk.co.uk.