Acquired Dyslexia

Case Study Details

Client:

Anonymous

Start Date:

April 2025

Case:

14-year-old secondary school student who presented with sudden-onset literacy difficulties following a period of significant illness.

Treatment

A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment was conducted by Deborah Walsh (Consultant Educational and Coaching Psychologist).

Total Duration

3 hours

Check out our availability and book the date and time that works for you.

This case study outlines the journey of a high-achieving student who experienced a sudden and
unexpected decline in reading ability following a serious illness. It highlights the importance of
timely assessment, accurate diagnosis, and tailored supports in helping young people overcome
emerging learning challenges.

Following a prolonged period of illness, the student was diagnosed with a chronic condition that had neurological implications. Despite normal vision assessments, she began to report significant changes in how she perceived and processed written material.

Reading became slow, effortful, and non-automatic. The student began decoding words in a
fragmented way, often syllable by syllable. Previously familiar words became difficult to recognise instantly, and reading fluency declined significantly, particularly under time pressure.

A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment conducted by Consultant Educational and
Coaching Psychologist Deborah Walsh identified a highly uneven cognitive profile. The student retained strong verbal reasoning, vocabulary, and conceptual understanding, but experienced notable difficulties in working memory, processing speed, and visual processing.

Therapeutic approach

Recommended Supports

Extra time in exams

Access to assistive technology

Reduced workload or subject load

Alternative formats for learning

Explicit, structured literacy support

Breaking tasks into smaller steps

Providing written and verbal instructions

Reducing copying and note-taking demands

Wellbeing Supports

Psychological support for adjustment and confidence

Strong school–home communication

A flexible, compassionate approach to attendance and workload

Progress and outcome

Based on the assessment, the student was identified as presenting with:

Acquired Dyslexia Secondary to neurological impact from chronic illness.

This differs from developmental dyslexia in that:

Skills were previously intact

Difficulties emerged following illness or injury

There is often a marked discrepancy between ability and performance.

This case highlights how a previously high-achieving student can experience sudden and profound changes in learning ability due to illness.

With appropriate identification and support:

Students can continue to succeed academically

Their strengths can still be accessed

And their confidence can be rebuilt

Most importantly, it reinforces that:

Early recognition and intervention are critical in cases of acquired learning difficulties.

Dyslexia Is Not Always Developmental
It can be acquired later in life due to: Illness, brain injury, and health conditions
Intelligence Is Not the Issue
The issue lies in processing, not ability.
Speed Matters as Much as Accuracy
Chronic Illness Can Impact Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an Educational Psychological Assessment take?

The assessment typically takes about 3 hours in one session, plus time for scoring, analysis, and report writing. You’ll usually receive the full report within 4 weeks.

Will treatment be covered by my insurance?

Our services can be covered by most Irish health insurance providers or paid for directly. We recommend checking your cover with your provider. Please note the medical card does not apply to private services like BetterCare™

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Yes, at BetterCare™ we believe nobody should have to wait for expert care. That's why we make mental health more accessible and affordable. Individualised payment options are available to suit everyone's budget and lifestyle. These options include flexible invoicing weekly, bi-weekly or monthly or you can opt to book now -pay later with Klarna.

Can adults be asssessed?

Yes, assessments are available for children, teens and adults concerned about specific learning difficulties.

What happens after the assessment?

You will receive a detailed report outlining strengths, challenges, and recommendations. Our team can also support you with referrals and next steps, including therapy or occupational therapy if needed.

Acquired Dyslexia

Case Study Details

Client:

Start Date:

Case:

Treatment

Total Duration

Check out our availability and book the date and time that works for you.

Therapeutic approach

Recommended Supports

Wellbeing Supports

Progress and outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

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