Adult Dyslexia

There are specific tasks in a work environment that are vital for success yet dyslexia can negatively effect. Here are a couple possible struggles and a few simple suggestions that would help curb their effects.

1- Oral Information or directions- It can be very difficult to keep instructions or information that is given orally clear after being spoken. Dyslexia takes what is in your brain and at times scrambles it up making it difficult to recall. A simple solution is to ask for an outline of the meeting or take notes while someone is speaking. Make your notes vary in form, make a list, or a mind map, or a Venn Diagram, or even draw a series of images. Whatever works to get the information down in the proper order.
2- Organizing Tasks- It can be difficult to keep the most important tasks at the forefront of the mind. A simple solution would be to carry a planner, take ten minutes at the beginning of the work day and plan. Write down all the tasks you need to do and then assign time frames and check your progress regularly.
3- Priorities- priorities can be difficult to determine and remember. Take some time to make a list of everything you can possibly think of you might need to do that day and when you are finished read back through the list. Highlight crucial things in red, non time related things in yellow and things that just don't matter in green, then carry this list with you.

These are just three simple steps but try them out and you may find they help more then one might think. Also if you are not sure you have dyslexia but find yourself struggling with the tasks above take the time to take an adult dyslexia test.

Dyslexia isn't a life consuming problem. Techniques and skills must be learned to deal with its side effects but success can still be had and a full and exciting life can still be lived.

If you are at all wondering if you are suffering from dyslexia take an Adult Dyslexia Test and start getting the necessary help and advice.

There are a number of organizations that are willing to help including:

The International Dyslexia Association

Dyslexia Organization Worldwide

Dyslexia Links

Here is a list of several Dyslexia symptoms that can be felt. Not all the symptoms must be present in an individual with dyslexia and this is not an all inclusive list. Instead this list is made just to give you an idea of the number of ways dyslexia could be effecting you.

- Can hinder the ability to Learn to speak
- Can hinder learning letters and their sounds
- Makes it difficult to organize written and spoken language
- Difficult to Memorize number facts
- Usually struggles with reading speed and then comprehending what was read.
- Long reading assignments seem daunting and impossible
- Keeping the priorities of the day straight can be a difficult
- Spelling suffers
- Math operations are hard
- Concentrating can be difficult
- Co-ordination suffers
- Problems with learning names
- Difficulties in map reading or form filling
- Problems remembering messages or instructions
- Poor spatial awareness
- Meticulous presentation
- Difficulty with little words
- Time management skills must be learned and studied
- It is easy to become distracted

The specific cause of dyslexia is unknown. There are a number of theories that exist and medical research being done no one has yet to nail down one specific answer. Below are the thought causes of dyslexia, or the theories.

Neurobiological and genetic- inherited through genetics

Wirings are Crossed- The right side of the brain is trying to do what the left side is designed to do and vice versa.

Youth Hearing Troubles- There was a problem with hearing at a young age and so the child never learned the correct sounds of each letter. Struggling then with word recognition.

Brain Development- The neurons of the brain actually developed away from where they were intended to develop, or improper neuron migration.

The Combination- And some researchers say that it is a combination of all of these theories simply depending on the individual.

Here is a list of technological devices that could help combat some of the effects of dyslexia.

Spell-checkers and grammar checkers. (built into most computers and programs)

Electronic dictionaries. (smaller then a book dictionary and more convenient to use on a regular basis.

Tape recorders and MP3 recorders. (invaluable for taping verbal instruction for future reference, or quickly recording ideas.)

Calculators (numbers can be a struggle but now most cell phones come equipped with a calculator to combat that.)

A Palm Pilot (a quick scheduler that will automatically remind you of upcoming events.)

An email reminder service (there are companies that will send you emails to remind you of important events such as family birthdays, work deadlines, or anniversaries.)

A Cell Phone (easily stores all your phone numbers in one quick resource, because numbers can be difficult to remember.)