April McMurtrey, a specialist in reading and dyslexia, has introduced a dyslexia test on TikTok that could indicate if you have learning difficulties. Dyslexia is a widespread learning difficulty primarily affecting reading, writing, and spelling skills.
The NHS estimates that dyslexia affects up to one in 10 people in the UK. While it can pose daily challenges, support is available to improve their reading and writing skills. But how do you know if you’re dyslexic?
April, author of Is It Dyslexia?, shared a simple exercise where she displayed a series of letters – qbpdbqbp – and instructed viewers to pronounce the “sounds”, not the “letters”, within a five-second window. She elaborated on the significance of this test by saying: “Bdpq are 4 letters that can be very confusing for someone with dyslexia. Were they confusing for you?” The task left many puzzled, prompting comments such as “I don’t understand the question,” and from a dyslexic individual, “As a dyslexic person, I am very confused.”
In another video, April presented an additional test, explaining: “Saying words backwards requires a skill called phonemic awareness. This skill is usually weak in individuals with dyslexia. But it can be strengthened, and they can become stellar readers.”
Initially, she asked participants to pronounce the word ‘stack’, then to say it in reverse. Following this, they were asked to do the same with the word ‘spore’, and then with the word ‘team’.
What are the signs of dyslexia?
Dyslexia symptoms often become noticeable when a child starts school and begins learning to read and write. A dyslexic child might:
What to do if you think you have dyslexia
If you suspect your child has dyslexia, the first step is to discuss it with their teacher or special educational needs co-ordinator, who may be able to provide additional support.
For adults suspecting they have dyslexia, reaching out to a local or national dyslexia association for advice on assessment is recommended.