Adult Dyslexia
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 The symptoms of dyslexia in adults will look different from dyslexia in childhood. Adult demands are different and the dyslexic adult will have learned many ways to compensate. |
Read below about symptoms of dyslexia in adults and the support that’s often needed in school and at work.
Sometimes a person doesn't realize he's dyslexic until college, professional school or a job with increased demands for reading and writing.
His dyslexia wasn't severe enough to be a noticeable problem in elementary and high school.
Some were not diagnosed until the requirements of large amounts of challenging reading and writing threatened their success and they sought help.
Some persistent symptoms of adult dyslexia are:
- Slow reading rate
- Difficulties taking notes
- Problems with writing - organizing ideas, composing written work, editing and proofreading
- Difficulties concentrating (taking tests or working) in a busy environment with visual and auditory distractions
College and Professional School
Similar to the needs of a high school student, a dyslexic adult student may need the following types of support:
- Help with a slow reading rate - additional time, a reader (someone to read aloud to the student) or recorded readings
- A note-taker
- Extra time on tests and assignments
- Proofreading help
- Detailed course outlines, supplied by the instructor
- Quiet, undisturbed space for test-taking
- Help selecting courses that match their strengths
Students will want to select courses carefully. For example, typical foreign language classroom, with oral drills and the expectation of learning rapidly, through listening only, may not work.
Many colleges, universities and professional schools have programs designed to assist the adult with a learning disability.
 Adults with dyslexia can be successful in any profession - with enough motivation and the right support. |
Adult Dyslexics Can Be Successful in Any Field
Adult dyslexia does not need to hold anyone back from pursuing and succeeding in college, professional school or a career.
There are successful adults with dyslexia in every career imaginable.
Adult dyslexics often admit that school was the toughest thing to endure.
Knowing what support a person needs can help him advocate for himself and make his success more likely.
One important type of support for anyone with a learning disability is instruction in how to eliminate any limiting emotions or beliefs around learning and the ability to learn.
There are a growing number of methods that can do this quickly and easily - most under the umbrella names of energy psychology or educational kinesiology. These are relatively new, unknown and cutting edge practices (which is very exciting to me, but most people wait until things are accepted by the masses).
I am most familiar and experienced with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and movements known as energy movements or Brain Gym.
The most important success criteria for the adult dyslexic are actually things every person – dyslexic or not - must have...
... Persistence and hard work!
Success comes from creating and holding onto a goal. Then being willing to do the daily small increments of work required to move toward that goal. If a person is willing to do that, without giving in to discouragement or taking too many detours – success is guaranteed.
Sources
Moats, Louisa Cook and Dakin, Karen E., Basic Facts About Dyslexia and Other Reading Problems, International Dyslexia Association, 2008.
International Dyslexia Association, Finding the Answers... Realizing the Potential.
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