Most people are familiar with the effect that dyslexia can have on reading and writing; but the impact that struggling with this learning difficulty can have on an individual’s confidence and sense of self-worth are not so commonly reported.
Fortunately, technology can make things easier for learners dealing with dyslexia – and touch typing may offer a gateway into a satisfying, successful learning experience. In this blog, we’ll discuss dyslexia and the ways in which touch typing might aid students in and out of the classroom.
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that affects approximately one tenth of the UK population. Termed a ‘specific learning difficulty’, dyslexia impacts on certain abilities that are used for learning, and as such can cause problems with writing, spelling and reading. Some students with dyslexia also have a related condition, such as dyspraxia (difficulty with movement and/or coordination) or dysgraphia (difficulty with the physical act of writing).
Dyslexia can’t be ‘cured’, as such; it’s a lifelong problem. However, the right support makes the condition manageable, allowing affected individuals to fulfil their potential and be successful at school, work, and beyond.
What are the signs of dyslexia?
A young person with dyslexia may:
Please note that dyslexia has no impact on intelligence. Many students with dyslexia are in fact very clever, creative and skilled at problem solving; but the learning disorder may hold them back or obscure their talents.
In recent years, the use of technology has proved very helpful for students with dyslexia. Indeed, a recent article by the Guardian states that touch typing can provide a vital confidence boost, as it ‘give[s] dyslexic children the kind of automaticity they struggle with when learning to write by hand. Some are wary of putting marks on paper that would be a permanent symbol of their difficulties and are more comfortable with a tablet or computer where making corrections is easier.’ Moreover, the British Dyslexia Association concludes that ‘teaching touch typing skills and allowing pupils to use a computer for written work can allow more concentration to be focussed on the content of the piece’ and can even lead to ‘significant improvement in exam grades’.
Key benefits of touch typing include:
The advantages of touch typing are significant for any student; but for those with dyslexia, learning to type could be a game changer. With the potential to boost confidence, improve communication skills, and enhance literacy, touch typing might just spell scholastic success.