Jennifer Aniston, the star of the cult series « Friends », revealed in 2018 that she has dyslexia. A brave admission that shone a spotlight on « dys » disorders. But since that confession, a confusion persists: many people mix up dyslexia and dysorthographia, thinking they are the same problem. Yet these two disorders are quite distinct, and this confusion can stop you from understanding what your child is really going through, or what you are living through yourself. This article helps you see things clearly, without guilt or shame.
What exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a disorder that affects reading and the recognition of written words. A dyslexic person struggles to decode letters, to recognise words automatically, and often to read quickly. Reading requires a great deal of effort and energy. Jennifer Aniston has explained that she reads slowly and has to go over a text several times to understand it.
Characteristics of dyslexia:
- Difficulty reading fluently and quickly
- Disorder in the automatic recognition of words
- Possible confusion between certain letters or syllables
- Increased fatigue when reading
- Comprehension often preserved (despite difficult decoding)
Dysorthographia: a very particular writing disorder
Dysorthographia, on the other hand, is a disorder that mainly affects writing and spelling. A dysorthographic person writes with persistent and unpredictable errors, despite repeated efforts. They forget agreements, invent spellings, or use fanciful letters.
Unlike dyslexia, dysorthographia is not linked to decoding when reading, but to access to and selection of the correct written forms. It is a matter of automatisation and spelling memory.
Characteristics of dysorthographia:
- Persistent and illogical spelling errors
- Forgetting agreements (gender, number)
- Invented or fanciful spellings
- Difficulty automatising spelling rules
- Reading may be correct (dyslexia is not required)
Can you have both at the same time?
Yes. A child can be both dyslexic and dysorthographic. In this case, reading AND writing are both difficult. Conversely, a person can be dysorthographic without being dyslexic: they read without major problems, but write poorly. This is an important distinction that parents and teachers need to understand in order to adapt support.
Why does Jennifer Aniston help to destigmatise dyslexia?
The actress has spoken openly about her dyslexia to show that a dys disorder does not prevent success. She has developed strategies to work around her difficulty: she learns a great deal by listening, she takes notes, and she uses adapted working methods.
What is powerful about her testimony is that she does not hide it: she does not claim that dyslexia doesn’t exist or that it is enough to « work harder ». She acknowledges it, talks about it, and shows that you can succeed with it, not « despite » it.
This honesty helps to reduce shame and isolation. If you or your child are dysorthographic or dyslexic, a celebrity’s confession serves as a reminder of an essential truth: you are not alone, and your brain works differently, not badly.
How this distinction changes everything for self-esteem
Understanding the difference between dysorthographia and dyslexia means understanding exactly what the problem is. Instead of telling yourself « I’m hopeless at French », you can say: « My dysorthographia makes automatic spelling difficult for me, but I can read and understand. »
This clarity is liberating. It helps you to:
- Accept the disorder as a neurological trait, not a personal failing
- Look for the right adaptations (spell checker, voice dictation, etc.)
- Stop blaming yourself for errors that are beyond the reach of willpower
- Develop a fairer and less catastrophic self-image
Like Jennifer Aniston, you can learn to work around your disorder rather than simply enduring it. And this sense of agency restores self-esteem.
Dysorthographia or dyslexia: how can you tell?
If you suspect a disorder, a few simple questions can help:
- Is reading easy and quick? If so, there is probably no dyslexia.
- Does writing remain difficult despite repeated corrections? That falls within the scope of dysorthographia.
- Do the errors have a logical pattern or do they seem random? Random errors point towards dysorthographia.
But be careful: only a professional diagnosis (psychologist, speech and language therapist, paediatric neurologist) can confirm. Do not self-diagnose. A full assessment will also help you avoid the classic pitfalls of follow-up.
The real lesson from Jennifer Aniston’s courage
What is inspiring about Jennifer Aniston is that she names her disorder, then gets on with things. She does not wallow in self-pity, and she does not close doors. She keeps acting, reading and learning, just differently.
If you are dysorthographic, that is exactly the path: recognising the disorder, understanding its precise contours, and discovering the tools and strategies that will help you move forward. Celebrate the hidden strengths that no disorder can extinguish.
Dysorthographia is not a permanent limit. It is simply an invitation to take a different route.
Frequently asked questions
Are all dyslexic people dysorthographic?
No. A dyslexic person may read slowly but write correctly, especially if spelling is not affected. On the other hand, many dysorthographic people are not dyslexic at all: they read well, but write poorly.
Does Jennifer Aniston also have dysorthographia?
Jennifer Aniston has spoken publicly about her dyslexia. Nothing indicates that she is also dysorthographic. Her example shows that you can succeed despite a dys disorder, but every disorder is different and every person needs appropriate follow-up.
Does dysorthographia disappear with age?
No, dysorthographia is a lasting neurological trait. However, it can improve with practice, strategies and suitable tools. Many dysorthographic adults learn to compensate, particularly thanks to digital spell checkers. To find out more, see our guide on the best digital tools for making progress.
Going further
Reliable institutional resources:
- INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) — Comprehensive files on dys disorders, including the differences between dyslexia and dysorthographia.
- Fédération Française des Dys (FFDys) — National association supporting people with dys disorders, with resources, guides and information on diagnosis and follow-up.
- Site Ameli (Assurance Maladie) — Information on reimbursement for speech and language therapy follow-up and procedures for recognising dys disorders.
