📘 Easy Read Module Comparing Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

 

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🧠 What are they?

Dyslexia and Dyspraxia are both neurodevelopmental conditions.

This means:

You are born with them

They affect how the brain works

They are lifelong

They are not caused by intelligence

People can have one or both.

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📖 What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia mainly affects:

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Processing words

People may find it hard to:

Read quickly

Spell correctly

Copy from a board

Understand written instructions

It is a literacy-based learning difficulty.

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🏃 What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia affects:

Movement

Coordination

Balance

Motor planning

People may find it hard to:

Tie shoelaces

Do up buttons

Ride a bike

Carry items safely

It is a coordination and motor skills difficulty.

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🔍 Key Differences

Area	Dyslexia	Dyspraxia
Main difficulty	Reading & writing	Movement & coordination
Brain function	Language processing	Motor planning
School impact	Literacy tasks	PE, handwriting, organisation
Physical skills	Usually unaffected	Often affected
Speech impact	Processing words	Mouth coordination (sometimes)

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🤝 Similarities

Dyslexia and Dyspraxia can be similar in some ways.

Both may affect:

Processing speed

Memory

Organisation

Confidence

Anxiety levels

Both are:

Hidden disabilities

Often misunderstood

Lifelong conditions

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🧩 Daily Life Comparison

Dyslexia

People may struggle with:

Reading books

Writing essays

Spelling words

Following written instructions

Support may include:

Audiobooks

Spellcheckers

Extra time

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Dyspraxia

People may struggle with:

Dressing

Cooking

Driving

Balance

Support may include:

Occupational therapy

Adaptive tools

Extra time for tasks

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🌟 Strengths Comparison

Dyslexia strengths

Many people are:

Creative thinkers

Big-picture learners

Good storytellers

Problem solvers

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Dyspraxia strengths

Many people are:

Determined

Resilient

Creative

Empathetic

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🧠 Can Someone Have Both?

Yes.

Many people have:

Dyslexia + Dyspraxia

Dyslexia + ADHD

Dyspraxia + Autism

This is called co-occurrence.

Support should look at the whole person.

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💬 How It Can Feel

Dyslexia

People may feel:

Embarrassed reading aloud

Frustrated writing

Tired from processing text

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Dyspraxia

People may feel:

Frustrated with their body

Anxious in sports

Self-conscious about coordination

Support and understanding help both.

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🧾 Key Messages

Dyslexia = literacy difficulty

Dyspraxia = coordination difficulty

Both are lifelong

Both need support

Both come with strengths

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📝 Easy Read Questions

Section A – Multiple Choice

1. Dyslexia mainly affects:
a) Walking
b) Reading and writing
c) Balance

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2. Dyspraxia affects:
a) Coordination
b) Spelling only
c) Hearing

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3. True or False:
Dyspraxia affects intelligence.

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Section B – Short Answer

4. Name one task that may be hard for someone with dyslexia.

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5. Name one movement task that may be hard for someone with dyspraxia.

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6. Can someone have both dyslexia and dyspraxia?

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Section C – Thinking Question

7. Why is it important not to judge someone’s intelligence based on these conditions?