Understanding Dyslexia
The Stark Griffin™ Dyslexia Academy offers expert dyslexia guidance.
Support grounded in research.
Reliable, evidence-based dyslexia interventions.
Dyslexia is an inherited learning disability and one of the specific learning disabilities that affect language processing. It impacts reading and spelling, writing, decoding, and reading fluency. At SGDA, we understand how challenging this learning difference can be—emotionally, socially, and in the classroom. We are here to help with accurate diagnosis, effective intervention, and high-quality training for professionals, parents, and teachers.
SGDA is a leading authority in South Africa for dyslexia testing, therapy, and courses. We use the only dyslexia test in the country that the HPCSA endorses. This trust makes SGDA a leading choice for dyslexia diagnosis South Africa. All SGDA professionals complete supervised internships to ensure accurate, ethical assessment and high-quality intervention.
What is Dyslexia?
Low intelligence, laziness, or poor teaching do not cause dyslexia. The disorder relates to how the brain processes language. We call this difficulty decoding.
Common challenges with dyslexia include trouble with:
- Word reading accuracy
- Reading rate and fluency
- Reading comprehension
- Spelling and written expression
This learning difference affects the brain’s language-processing areas, making reading or writing tasks difficult. With the right support, a child with dyslexia can learn to read, grow in confidence, and succeed at school.
SGDA’s Dyslexia Assessment
SGDA uses a structured, research-based diagnostic process that evaluates decoding and encoding across multiple pathways. The assessment identifies learning disabilities, shows subtype patterns, and highlights signs and symptoms that are easy to miss.
This method identifies subtypes such as Dysnemkinesia, Dysphonesia, and Dyseidesia, ensuring an accurate diagnosis and a clear path forward.
Why Choose SGDA for Testing?
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The only HPCSA-endorsed dyslexia test in South Africa
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Assessments conducted by registered SGDA practitioners
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Clear diagnostic reports
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Tailored intervention plans for each learner
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If you need testing, SGDA can connect you with a qualified professional in your area.
What do we assess?
- Eidetic reading
- Phonetic reading
- Phonetic equivalent processing
- Word recognition challenges
- Encoding and spelling patterns
- Writing of numbers and letters
- Reversal errors
What does our Dyslexia assessment include?
- Parent Questionnaire
- DST (Screening Test)
- DDT (Determination Test)
SGDA’s Dyslexia Courses
Our courses help professionals, teachers, and parents understand dyslexia deeply and provide proper support. Each program blends neuroscience, language development, and evidence-based practice.
Who Are Our Courses For?
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Psychologists
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Therapists
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Teachers
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Remedial educators
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Parents
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Anyone wanting a deeper understanding of dyslexia
Popular SGDA Dyslexia Courses
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Dyslexia Training Course for Professionals
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Junior Assessment Training Course
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Professional Refresher Course
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Dyslexia Therapy Course
What Makes SGDA Courses Unique?
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Courses integrate the neuroscience of reading
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CPD-worthy content
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Designed for practical real-world application
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Includes tools, technology, and online learning support
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Helps professionals and caregivers create meaningful impact
Dyslexia Therapy
SGDA provides structured, research-based therapy that strengthens reading, writing, and language skills. Once a learning difficulty is identified, therapy gives learners the tools they need to succeed with confidence.
What We Work On
- Improving decoding and encoding
- Strengthening speech-sound processing
- Building confident reading and writing habits
- Addressing letter and number reversals
- Boosting fluency for longer texts
- Helping learners approach unfamiliar words with confidence
Therapy Options at SGDA
- Dyslexia Therapy Course for Professionals
Evidence-based techniques for offering structured intervention - Dyslexia Therapy Course for Parents
Practical, easy-to-follow methods to support learning at home - Ongoing guided practice
Step-by-step support from trained SGDA practitioners
What Makes SGDA Courses Unique?
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Courses integrate the neuroscience of reading
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CPD-worthy content
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Designed for practical real-world application
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Includes tools, technology, and online learning support
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Helps professionals and caregivers create meaningful impact
A note to our students...
We at SGDA can see how difficult it is for you to fit into an educational system where everything you do and the marks you achieve are dependent on your ability to read and write. We hear your stories and know that you are the truly brave ones, fighting for your spot and an equal opportunity to prove what you are truly capable of.
Never ever give up.
Follow your dreams and do not allow people to judge you and decide what you can or cannot do.
Yes, it is hard work. Yes, you will get frustrated. Yes, sometimes all these obstacles might make you feel like it is not worth it. Never ever give up! Keep at it. Use all the available resources you are able to find and do not hesitate to ask for help.
We admire you because you are brave and amazing and we cannot wait to see what you can achieve in the future.
A note to our parents...
SGDA aims to inspire children who are diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia or Dysgraphia to be the best they can be and make their dreams come true, despite the challenges they face as a result of their learning disabilities.
Learning disabled children face many challenges that could drag them down into the pits of despair, but instead they can choose not to let a specific learning disability such as dyslexia determine their fate in life.
A professional diagnosis might allow for the opportunity to have an open discussion on the real challenges your dyslexic child is facing. He/she might for the first time ever open up to you and share their hurts and embarrassing moments. Listen, really listen, to the child sitting in front of you, for you might learn quite a bit from this young person that faces many challenges different or similar to the ones you had growing up.
Your child might empower you and your community to have a positive impact on the life of future and other dyslexic children, making a difference for them in ways that truly matters. A child that experiences success, however small, will be inclined to keep on trying and work even harder than they already do. As an adult you can make a big difference. Your input, support and motivation does matter.
Take each other’s hands on this path, there is a bright future out there for our children, even the ones that struggle with reading and writing.
Why SGDA?
HPCSA-endorsed assessments for specific learning disorders
Validated diagnostic tools.
National network of trained SGDA professionals.
Research-driven dyslexia therapy.
Courses for professionals, teachers, and parents.
Supportive ethos.
Industry-leading training based on neuroscience.
SGDA wants every learner who struggles with reading or writing to feel supported and understood. We want each child to feel confident enough to reach their full potential.
Get in touch with us today!
Books For Sale!
This is Me!
An inspirational read for the Dyslexic. From cover to cover inspirational success stories of 23 amazing South African Dyslexics who struggle with reading and writing. Read about their journey of discovery, learning and understanding. Finally, recognizing that the sky is the limit for dyslexics.
Help, my child has been diagnosed with Dyslexia!
A comprehensive guide book explaining dyslexia and the way forward for parents, once they find out their child has been diagnosed with Dyslexia.
Help, my child has been diagnosed with Dysgraphia!
When a child has been diagnosed with Dysgraphia, the road ahead might seem concerning and confusing for parents. They have so many questions that need answering. By learning what to watch for, parents can be proactive about getting help for their child. This book explains strategies and therapies that can help a child improve his writing.
Help, my child has been diagnosed with Dyscalculia!
When a child has been diagnosed with Dyscalculia, the road ahead might seem concerning and confusing for parents. They have so many questions that need answering. This book explains everything about dyscalculia, offers ideas and tips on how parents can do to help their children. This book answers important questions like “does my child still have a future?”