Dyslexia Adults

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), appearing as problems primarily with literacy skills.  Dyslexia can appear in children and in adults.

On this part of the site, you will find, information exclusively for Dyslexia in adults and Help, Support and Resources to try to overcome these difficulties.

Plus Dyslexia Help, Support & Resources for adults. Indicators of Dyslexia, How to arrange for an Adult Dyslexia Test or Adult Dyslexia  Assessment;  Software for Dyslexia adults. Information for Employers & Dyslexia in the Workplace.

Age is no Barrier to Dyslexia Testing!

Adults with Dyslexia

Many adults with dyslexia suffer from low self-esteem, lack of confidence and fall short of their employment ability; they are often relieved to know their lack of progress is due to dyslexia and once diagnosed, they can receive the right kind of help.

Recent research showed a high proportion of self-made millionaires are dyslexic, probably because they had the tenacity and self-belief to succeed.

Many dyslexics excel in areas such as:

• Architecture
• Arts
• Computer sciences
• Construction
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Entertainment
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Sports.

Workplace Needs Assessment

If you are having problems at work, which you believe is related to your dyslexia, you can ask for a ‘Workplace Needs Assessment’. The Assessor will go into your workplace at a convenient time and watch you work, take your opinions into account, (and those of management, if necessary).

You will receive a comprehensive report advising, any specific help that is required; such as Voice Recognition Software (VRS), Spell-Checker, Grammar Checker, or other specialist software.

Provided the requirements are ‘reasonable’, your employer will have to look at implementing the recommendations. Often the items in question can be provided by the company at a very reasonable price.  This comes under the ‘reasonable adjustments’ that employers should make.

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA), can arrange for assessments or testing to be carried out, as do, other providers around the country.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Why keep struggling when support is available?

Find an Assessor for a ‘Workplace Needs Assessment’.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Why keep struggling when support is available?

Access to Work Scheme (AtW) & Dyslexia

People with dyslexia should be able to use the Access to Work Scheme (AtW). This scheme (AtW) offers help to place people with learning difficulties (dyslexia) at work. Under this scheme (AtW), you may also be provided with training facilities to help with your dyslexia.

The Access to Work (AtW) scheme can similarly provide practical and financial support for people with dyslexia.

The amount of money you may get is dependent on your circumstances, but these monies do not have to be paid back and will not affect any other benefits.

Access to Work (AtW) 

Support Groups for Adults with Dyslexia

Support Groups for adults with dyslexia; are an excellent way to meet other dyslexic people. This way you can get ideas from others as well as get help and support from your peers.

Many groups have inspirational speakers who can talk about a wide range of issues surrounding dyslexia; coping strategies, resources etc.

Dyslexia Adult Support Groups

You will find a list of various Adult Dyslexia Support Groups, below:

London Adult Support Group
A self-help group who share experiences and learn from each other.
London Adult Support Group

Birmingham Adult Support Group
‘Badg is self-help, user-led dyslexic group. It was started in the mid-1990s in Birmingham. It is probably one of the earliest and largest, longest-running adult self-help groups in Europe.’
BADG

Dyslexic by Nature
The group aim to reduce the social isolation and stigma individuals with dyslexia feel. Chorlton area of Manchester.
Dyslexia by Nature

DAN
The Dyslexia Adult Network (DAN) has been founded to increase awareness of the
impact of dyslexia and related conditions on adults.
DAN

DABBGL – (Dyslexia Association of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich & Lewisham)
The group offers opportunities to exchange positive experiences, as well as the chance to seek practical advice from guest speakers and others within the group.
Dyslexia Association

Dyslexia Foundation
Assisting adults with dyslexia across the North-West.
Dyslexia Foundation

Dyslexia Scotland Adults
With resources, advice and support – ‘make sure dyslexia doesn’t hold you back’.
Dyslexia Scotland Adult

Dyslexia – Books, Pamphlets & Publications

There is quite a lot of good information for adults about dyslexia.  The BDA and Dyslexia Action published some excellent books and pamphlets which I am sure you would find useful.

British Dyslexia Association Books & Pamphlets

This page is just being updated and will be completed shortly.

Dyslexia – Software for Literacy and Numeracy

As dyslexia is not a disease, there is no ‘treatment’ for it.

However, you can help yourself by using Multi-Sensory Teaching Methods.

What is Multi-Sensory?

Multi-Sensory means merely, using: eyes, ears, touch, taste and smell.

When you use a combination of these ‘senses’, you increase your strength, mobility and spatial awareness.

Furthermore, we are lucky these days that there are so many software programmes to help us with literacy and numeracy skills.

Touch Typing is beneficial for all students to help them get their thoughts down on paper while not concentrating on handwriting.

Playing Games

It would be an error to think that merely ‘playing’ you do not learn. There is a wealth of research to show that playing the right type of game for your specific problem can help tremendously.

So, get the Lego and Meccano out, or whatever your particular problem is because it really will help.

You will find a comprehensive list of games here that can help students with dyslexia.

Dyslexia in Society

People with dyslexia are often highly creative and original. They usually succeed through sheer hard work and determination. They are valuable members of a working team.

Recent research showed that a high proportion of self-made millionaires are dyslexic, probably because they had the tenacity and self-belief to succeed.

List of Famous People with Dyslexia

Dyslexia does not stop you getting on in life. Look at the list of just a few of the many successful dyslexic people below. You can succeed you may have your name added soon!

• General George S Patton
• Hans Christian Andersen
• Michael Barrymore
• Dennis Bergkamfp
• Marlon Brando
• Richard Branson
• Cher
• Agatha Christie
• Winston Churchill
• Margi Clark
• Brian Connolly
• Tom Cruise
• Charles Darwin
• Walt Disney
• Thomas Edison
• Albert Einstein
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Duncan Goodhew
• Susan Hampshire
• Carol Harrison
• Goldie Hawn
• Michael Heseltine
• Jeremy Irons
• Eddie Izzard
• Lynda La Plante
• Ruth Madoc
• Michaelangelo
• Steve Redgrave
• Richard Rogers
• Jackie Stewart
• Anthea Turner
• Leonardo da Vinci
• W B Yeats
• Benjamin Zephaniah

List of Famous People – DVD on Video

Dyslexic?
Great short DVD on Famous People
by Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association.
Dyslexic?

See Dyslexia Differently
Excellent video to explain dyslexia to children.
by British Dyslexia Association
See Dyslexia Differently

My Dyslexia Mind
A Newsround Special
My Dyslexia Mind

Dyslexia – Success Stories

Studies: 35% of U.S. entrepreneurs have dyslexia 
12th March 2009
A study out of the Cass Business School in London shows that: 35% of U.S. entrepreneurs are dyslexic, compared with just 1% of corporate managers.
All in the Mind – The Economist print edition.
Click Here for the Full Story 

Congratulations to Louis Barnett, 16, from Kinver.
A 16-year-old entrepreneur is enjoying the sweet taste of success after landing a deal to sell his chocolate bars in supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.
15th September 2008
Click Here for the Full Story

Myths about Dyslexia

There are many myths around about dyslexia. You have probably heard quite a few.
Some of the ones we have heard are below:

•  Dyslexia does not exist.
• You cannot test for dyslexia until the child is seven years of age.
• You can cure dyslexia.
• Dyslexia is a middle-class syndrome.
• Dyslexia is a term used for people who are backward.
• If you cannot read you must be dyslexic.
• If you cannot spell you must be dyslexic.
• If you can spell well, you cannot have dyslexia.
• If you do not reverse your letters i.e., b/d’s, p/b’s you cannot be dyslexic.
• If you do not reverse letters you must be dyslexic.
• There is no definitive test for dyslexia.
• If you force a child to read every day with you they will eventually learn to read.
• Bad parenting causes dyslexia.
• You cannot have dyslexia if you are ‘gifted’.
• You cannot have dyslexia if you have a low intelligence level.
• You can outgrow dyslexia.
• Dyslexia does not affect children in other countries.
• The majority of teachers know about dyslexia.

If you have heard about any myths regarding dyslexia, please let us know, and we may be able to include them in the list above?

When I operated the Swindon Dyslexia Centre, we used to receive hundreds of calls each year asking how you go about setting up a support group in their area.

It is not difficult at all. We all need help and support at some time or another. When your child has special needs, it is easy to feel as if you are the only one in the world. There are thousands of children who have problems with their education. What is needed is to bring parents together to enable them to talk the issues through – to help and advise each other. Your problem will not be a new one. If you are suffering because of it – you can bet there are others out there in the same position.

Why not set up a Dyslexia Support Group?

Why not form a support group in your area? It isn’t as hard as you may think! If you need it, there must be others who will be feeling the same. Don’t wait until someone else does it – because they might not! How do I go about it?

1. Ask other parents, to see if they are interested in joining.
2. Visit your local library, citizens’ advice bureau or other voluntary agencies to see if they have any information that may help you.
3. Ask yourself, what exactly is needed in your area?
4. Do you want to have meetings every week/month?
5. Where will your meetings be? (The first meeting will probably best to be held in a local hall.)
6. Contact the national charity to see what help they can offer.
7. It may be possible to get a guest speaker for your first meeting from a national organisation.
8. Ask other parents to give you a hand. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, that is my maxim – you can’t do everything yourself! It may seem hard at the start but keep going – it gets easier.

Advertising your group

No, I don’t mean by paying for advertisements with the local press. My company does not have an advertising budget at all. The local radio and newspapers need local news – let them know what you are doing. Just contact them by; email, letter or telephone. Don’t forget local news is their business!

How can I arrange a Press Release?

The quickest way to let the press know is a Press Release. Don’t panic. This is very easy. It is just like writing a letter and then taking out all the chitchat, leaving only the bones. Something similar to the one enclosed will be sufficient.

Don’t forget: If you need help, so do other people in the same situation!