Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder of neurodevelopmental origin that affects reading and writing.
Children with dyslexia may experience significant difficulties in decoding and recognising words, in reading and writing fluency and accuracy, in reading comprehension, and in the planning and construction of written texts.
These difficulties stem from a phonological processing deficit – that is, a weakness in the way the brain perceives and manipulates the sounds of speech, including aspects such as phonological memory, phonological awareness, and lexical access.
At the HPA Health Group, the approach to dyslexia is interdisciplinary, involving professionals from Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy, among other specialties.
Dr Miguel Coutinho, Psychologist, explains that neuropsychological assessment helps identify the neurocognitive and intellectual skills that influence reading and writing. This assessment can be carried out in Portuguese or English, using tests that are duly adapted and standardised.
Speech and Language Therapist Jéssica Elói adds that Speech and Language Therapy plays an important role in assessing these skills, as well as other areas of language, contributing to differential diagnosis and a comprehensive intervention.
During the assessment process, it is also possible to identify other associated conditions, such as attention difficulties, hyperactivity, or developmental language disorders.
Following this stage, and in coordination with other professionals, a personalised intervention plan is developed — tailored to the child’s school year, building on their strengths, addressing their weaknesses, and teaching effective strategies to promote academic success and emotional well-being.
On this World Dyslexia Day, the HPA Health Group reaffirms the importance of early assessment, specialised intervention, and, above all, understanding and inclusion.
10, October 2025