The Delphi Definition of Dyslexia
In 2025, an international group of specialists reached a new consensus on how dyslexia should be defined. Known as the Delphi Definition of Dyslexia, it reflects the most up-to-date understanding of dyslexia and emphasises that difficulties can vary from person to person.
“Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling."
"In dyslexia, some or all aspects of literacy attainment are weak in relation to age, standard teaching and instruction, and level of other attainments."
"Across all languages and age groups, difficulties in reading fluency and spelling are a key marker of dyslexia."
"Dyslexic difficulties exist on a continuum and can be experienced to various degrees of severity.”
The Delphi definition is helpful because it recognises that there is no single profile of dyslexia. Children and young people can experience dyslexia in different ways and to different degrees. Understanding an individual's strengths as well as their areas of difficulty is therefore an important part of effective assessment and support.
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If you are concerned about your child's reading, spelling or literacy development, a specialist assessment can help provide a clearer understanding of their individual strengths and needs.