Why might dyslexia look so different in an eight-year-old, a twelve-year-old, a sixteen-year-old and an adult?

At eight, the struggle may centre on learning to read and spell. By twelve, reading is no longer just something to learn — it’s how you’re expected to learn almost everything else. By sixteen, independent study, examinations, deadlines and organisation bring a whole new set of demands.

And in adulthood? The challenges may extend into higher education, employment and everyday life.

The difficulty hasn’t necessarily become more severe. But the demands have grown — and the challenges can become increasingly layered.

In this free, live conversation, Richard Whitehead, Anri Louwrens and Axel Gudmundsson will explore how the experience of dyslexia can change as a person grows up.

Together, we’ll discuss:

Why a child who seemed to be coping can suddenly begin to struggle.

How new educational expectations can expose difficulties that were previously less visible.

Why literacy challenges can become entangled with organisation, memory, confidence and independent learning.

How earlier experiences can influence the way older learners approach new challenges.

Why effective support needs to address the difficulties a person is experiencing now, not simply those identified years earlier.

We’ll also explore how the Davis approach seeks to address different layers of difficulty, and how rapid, transformational change is possible at any stage of a person’s learning journey.

Meet the Panellists

Richard Whitehead is Director of Davis UK & Ireland, a Patoss-accredited specialist dyslexia assessor, and former SENCo at Malvern College, where he also taught and coordinated the International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge programme. A Davis Facilitator and trainer since 2002, he is the author of Why Tyrannosaurus But Not If? and co-author, with Ron Davis, of Counting On Fingers.

Anri Louwrens is an experienced South African teacher and Project Manager at Davis UK & Ireland. After attending a Davis Learning Power course, she introduced the techniques into her Grade 8 classroom, reporting dramatic improvements in examination results and pupil engagement. Inspired by this experience, she began training as a Davis Facilitator in 2024 and is now approaching qualification.

Axel Gudmundsson is an Icelandic Davis Facilitator, Specialist and Workshop Presenter with more than 20 years’ experience. Now based in the UK, he founded Gifted Dyslexic in 2004 and Davis Dyslexia Association Africa in 2012, and has also worked in psychotherapy, publishing and education, including as a director of a progressive school in South Africa. He brings an international perspective on dyslexia and learning.

This won’t be a conventional presentation. Join Richard, Anri and Axel for an informal, thought-provoking discussion, with opportunities for audience questions.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, dyslexic adult or someone supporting neurodivergent learners, you’re warmly invited.

Free to attend live. Pre-order the replay for £12.99 (rises to £15 after the event).