In this episode of the 1 in 10 Dyslexia podcast, Charlotte and Sophie are joined by Dr Jacob Santhouse to explore an area of dyslexia that is still too often overlooked: its emotional impact.

Jacob describes dyslexia as a difference in how the brain processes information. While language can require significantly more effort, dyslexic people may also experience strengths in areas such as pattern recognition, spatial reasoning and connecting with others.

The conversation looks beyond reading and spelling to explore confidence, anxiety, low self esteem, masking, mental fatigue and the experience of growing up feeling different. Jacob explains how repeated experiences of struggling, criticism or failure can create powerful internal narratives such as “I’m not enough” or “If I try, I’ll fail”.

They also discuss what parents can do differently. Rather than immediately trying to remove uncomfortable feelings, Jacob encourages adults to give children space to experience and talk about them. Creating emotional safety means children are less likely to carry their struggles silently or learn to hide parts of themselves.

For adults with dyslexia, Jacob explains why seemingly ordinary tasks can be mentally exhausting and why understanding how your own brain works allows you to structure your day differently, work with your strengths and replace self criticism with greater self compassion.

The central takeaway is simple but powerful. Dyslexia support cannot stop at literacy. Children need help developing reading and writing skills, but they also need confidence, emotional safety and the belief that their voice matters. As Jacob puts it, we need both the literacy piece and the emotional piece.

This is a thoughtful and important conversation about seeing the whole dyslexic person, not simply the difficulties they experience at school.