Public Search Interest in Dyslexia in Malaysia Versus the United Kingdom
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives: To compare public search interest in dyslexia in Malaysia versus the United Kingdom over 10 years, using Google Trends data to focus on interest in awareness, diagnosis, and treatments. Background: Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning disability characterized by difficulties in reading, writing, and spelling. This disability is often overlooked, with limited help in Malaysia and inconsistent support in the United Kingdom (UK). Current literature focuses on the experiences and awareness of educators or parents, with limited information about public interest in dyslexia in Malaysia and the UK. Analyzing public search interest in dyslexia may help assess differences between interest in awareness, diagnosis, and treatments between the two countries and inform future educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. Methods: To understand public search interest in dyslexia, the following search terms were input into Google Trends: dyslexia (Topic: Disability), dyslexia meaning (Search Term), dyslexia symptoms (Search Term), dyslexia test (Search Term), dyslexia help (Search Term), and dyslexia treatment (Search Term). The regions United Kingdom and Malaysia were compared using a time range setting from July 2, 2016 to July 2, 2026, using “All Categories” topic category setting, and “Web Search” search type. After the search terms were entered, Google Trends generated interest over time diagrams, and the search interest data was then exported as CSV files for analysis. Results: Throughout the 121 month period, dyslexia (mean= 68.86, SD= 13.63) had the highest relative search interest in the UK, with dyslexia help (mean= 66.26, SD= 15.23) and dyslexia test (mean=65.79, SD=14.88) second and third, respectively. In Malaysia, dyslexia meaning (mean=43.63, SD= 22.96) and dyslexia (mean= 30.85, SD= 6.98) were of the highest interest. Conclusions: The most frequently searched terms in the UK were dyslexia, dyslexia help, and dyslexia test, suggesting greater interest in diagnosis and treatments-related topics, while Malaysians primarily searched for dyslexia meaning and dyslexia, indicating growing awareness. Limitations of this study are lack of data on the terms dyslexia help and dyslexia treatment in Malaysia, and that this study only analyzed English-language search terms, excluding searches conducted in Malay.
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202373372