Adults with dyslexia

Adults with dyslexia are all different

Some dyslexic adults feel unable to cope with their difficulties, whilst others have found ways to get round their problems, but changing demands at work or a new venture in life can present tough challenges.

Some adults have known about their dyslexia for years, whilst others wonder whether they might be dyslexic, or are coming to terms with a recent diagnosis.

It is estimated that dyslexia affects as many as 1 in 10 of the population to some degree. One person in 25 is severely dyslexic.

People with dyslexia think and learn differently from others. They sometimes feel as if their mind is ‘differently wired’

Does this sound like you?

• My boss can’t understand why I don’t write better reports.
• I’m not the quickest reader, but I’m often the quickest thinker.
• I can’t try for promotion because I won’t pass the test. But I could do the job.
• I really can’t read much at all. I usually say I forgot my specs.
• As long as I use a spellchecker, I’m fine. Just don’t ask me to write by hand.
• People say I’m careless and forgetful, but I really try and I get furious with myself.
• I haven’t a clue about filling in forms.
• I’ve found ways to hide my problems, but I’m really struggling

There is no cure for dyslexia but with the right teaching and support, dyslexics can overcome their difficulties and achieve great things.

Many dyslexic people learn to cope with their difficulties, to make good use of their areas of strength and to become successful and fulfilled individuals. They develop strategies which compensate for areas of weakness, and use their strengths.

Dyslexic people are likely to find learning skills like reading and writing much harder than other people, but they can be helped by careful, systematic teaching. There are well-established methods for teaching reading and writing to dyslexic people, and with patience and hard work, they are effective. Many dyslexic people learn to read and write well, though spelling often continues to be a weakness.

We can help you to succeed & achieve

Dyslexic adults benefit from understanding their own individual learning style and pattern of strengths and weaknesses. That way, they can study and work in a way which is most likely to be successful. They can learn strategies appropriate to their learning style.

Dyslexic people often find it helpful to use technological aids such as computer packages, digital recorders and smart phones. This frees them from some of the effort involved in written work and routine organisation, and allows them to concentrate on the parts of their work they do best.