Resources

What is Dyslexia?

A list of practical and FREE resources to help you better understand neurodiversity.

What does dyslexia really mean?

Dyslexia comes from the Greek: dys meaning “difficult” and lexia meaning “reading.” Literally, it means “difficult reading.”

Understanding a word by breaking it into meaningful parts is called morphology - and it's a powerful way to make difficult vocabulary stick.

The Dyslexic Advantage - Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock and Fernette Eide
The Gift of Dyslexia, Revised and Expanded - by Ronald D. Davis
Mindset - by Dweck (2006)
Barrington Stoke - dyslexia-friendly books
I Am Dyslexic - by Chanelle Moriah
Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School - by Richard Branson

To help advocate for your child and encourage collaboration with the school, here are some questions and positive language you might like to use:

“What support is currently in place, and how is progress being monitored?”
“What are my child’s key strengths and areas of need?”
“Could we agree on clear learning goals and how success will be measured?”
“What evidence-based intervention is being used, and how often?”
“What accommodations or assistive technology could reduce barriers to learning?”
“How can my child demonstrate their knowledge without being limited by reading or writing difficulties?”
“When can we review progress together and adjust the plan if needed?”

A parent-friendly reference for New Zealand state schools covering what schools must do, useful adjustments, and how to escalate concerns.