Bolton & District Dyslexia Association logo
As featured in the Type Directors Club’s 1981 annual, Typography 2, this logo for a UK dyslexia association references the common misconception that dyslexia involves flipping letters.
Most people believe that the defining feature of dyslexia is “mirror writing” or “mirror reading” (Fiorello, 2001; Gorman, 2003). Indeed, many laypersons believe that dyslexics literally see letters backward. Two types of reversals are commonly associated in the public mind with dyslexia: (1) reversing letters themselves, like writing or seeing “b” instead of “d,” and (2) reversing the order of letters within words, like writing “tar” instead of “rat.” … there’s no evidence that dyslexics literally “see” letters backward or in reverse order within words.
— 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior
Although they do occur, reversal of letters or words, or mirror writing, is not included in the definition of dyslexia.
— “Learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision”. Pediatrics. 127 (3): e818–56
Despite that unfortunate misrepresentation (perhaps much more prevalent in the 1980s), the mark is rather well executed by the prolific letterer Tony Forster. He started with Letraset transfer type (according to the credits), mirroring the s and e, modifying the y x a, and connecting the ys. His use of ITC Avant Garde Gothic ligatures is adept as well.
