Managing the Symptoms of Dyslexia

As an adult with dyslexia, you have probably come up with your own ways to deal with the various challenges of dyslexia across your lifetime. This article will provide ideas for reading and writing support, as well as some pointers on how to manage your symptoms at work.

Remember, dyslexia is a very common condition, and with adequate support, there can be incredible progress.

Reading Supports

  • Reading Accessibility
    • Consider changing your device’s screen settings to reduce glare (bright reflections).
    • Make the text larger.
    • Change the background color to make words stand out more clearly.
    • Take frequent breaks from using screens to reduce eye strain.
    • Enable (switch on) screen-reading software (software that reads the words on a page for you) on your phone or laptop.
    • Change the fonts (the style of typed text) of text to the ones that are easiest for you to read (Helvecta, Computer Modern Unicode (CMU), and Arial fonts have been suggested to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.)
  • Replacing Reading Tasks
    • When communicating with clients, consider sending a voice note or calling them instead of emailing or texting them.
    • Ask for verbal as well as written instructions.
    • Ask for a summary of the written material before you must read it.
    • Request permission to record meeting audio instead of taking notes.
  • Using Colors 
    • Make important points in documents stand out by highlighting them.
    • Print documents on colored paper (such as light yellow or blue) to make the words stand out better.
  • 0-6 Months
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
  • 0-6 Months
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds

Writing Supports

  • Use Technology
    • In today’s world, there is less of a focus on hand-written notes and a greater demand for typing skills. So the use of technology can help people with dyslexia greatly.
    • Download speech-to-text software (software that types whatever you say into emails and text messages) on your phone or laptop.
    • Use spell and grammar checks on your computer when typing out assignments.
    • Enable autocorrect (a phone feature that automatically adjusts the spellings of mistyped words) on your phone.
  • Ask for Help
    • Get the help of friends and family when it comes to proofreading (double checking for mistakes) assignments or even consider getting someone to write for you (if appropriate).
  • Practice Touch Typing 
    • Touch typing is a special typing skill that teaches you how to type on a keyboard without ever looking at the letters. 
    • Touch-typers have muscle memory (the ability to perform a physical action without thinking about it) and know what symbols and characters are where on a keyboard. This can assist you in typing faster and more accurately.
  • Use Charts or Diagram
    • People with dyslexia are usually visual learners, and thus it might be more helpful for you to present data in the form of a chart or diagram. 
    • For non-quantitative (related to numbers) data, ask your boss if you can present data over video or audio instead of typed reports.
  • 0-6 Months
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds

Reasonable Adjustments at College or Work

As mentioned in the article, “Getting Tested for Dyslexia” a dyslexia diagnosis is important because it means you can formally apply for reasonable adjustments at work or college.

“Reasonable adjustments” refers to fair accommodations at the workplace that can give you support for your condition where possible.

The following points outline some of the ways you can ask for reasonable adjustments at college or work:

  • Full disclosure: Tell your boss and coworkers about your condition Dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you keep your condition hidden, you cannot ask for reasonable adjustments at your place of work or study.
  • Scheduling and structuring tasks: It is important that you let your employer know that you will need ample time to do assignments and to thus schedule your hours accordingly. People with dyslexia also perform better when they have help staying organized. Consider looking into online planners and productivity apps.
  • Technology: Request that your employer invest in some of these dyslexia-friendly software tools. You can also discuss reasonable adjustments at work, e.g. recording meetings, presenting visually instead of writing a report, etc.
  • Empathy training for colleagues: Request that the office or university hosts a seminar/ training session on dyslexia. The goal of such a seminar would be to raise dyslexia awareness at your place of study or work. If you are comfortable, consider speaking about your own experiences and answering audience questions
  • Professional help: Do not be afraid to seek professional help. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness
  • Find professionals with dyslexia support groups: It may be worth it to seek out a support group for professionals with dyslexia in your area. It can be very encouraging to realize you are not alone. Such a group can also give you pointers on how to succeed in your career as someone with dyslexia

Tackling Everyday Adult Dyslexia Challenges

This section addresses common challenges faced by adults with dyslexia in their everyday lives, particularly in the areas of time management, organization, and focus. It provides practical strategies to help with these challenges, including setting reminders, prioritizing tasks, and creating a clutter-free workspace. This section also emphasizes the importance of social support systems for people with dyslexia.

Time Management, Focus, and Organization Strategies 

Adults with dyslexia often face challenges with juggling tasks, staying focused, managing time and keeping organized. Here's a toolkit to overcome them:

  • Time
    • Set reminders: Try to set alarms and reminders (especially audio reminders) for important events or deadlines. Leaving visual cues or notes around the house or office may be helpful.
    • Set a specific place for your things: keys go by the door, laundry goes in the basket, etc. By staying organized like this, you can prevent time wasted looking for things at the last minute.
  • Organization 
    • Make a habit to plan out your day or week in advance.
    • Prioritize important/urgent tasks to reduce overwhelm and stress.
    • If there are some tasks that you regularly do, it might help you to make a layout or template with appropriate note-taking prompts, etc.
    • If appropriate, it might help you to color code important items. People with dyslexia often benefit from visual cues.
    • Try to keep your workspace neat and tidy. This will increase focus and concentration.
    • Make sure all workspaces are well-lit.
  • Focus
    • People with dyslexia can find it difficult to process a lot of information simultaneously. Try to break big tasks into smaller chunks that you tackle one at a time.
    • If you are getting information from multiple areas all at once (e.g. the TV playing while you talk to your partner) it may help you to reduce these distractions so you can fully focus on one source of information at a time.
    • If necessary, consider getting a “Do Not Disturb” sign for your door when you need to particularly focus on something.
    • Try to ask for a private room or office, away from distractions and noise, to improve focus.
  • 0-6 Months
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
  • 0-6 Months
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds
    • Repeats the same sounds

Social Support Systems

Human beings are social creatures: we all need help from our family and friends, whether we have dyslexia or not. Here are some tips on how to develop a healthy support network:

  • Learning to handle social situations: As someone with dyslexia, you may be nervous about telling people about your condition. You may be embarrassed to go out to a restaurant and not be able to read the menu, for instance. In most social situations, it might put you more at ease to simply let people know about your condition. Be confident in who you are, and people will most likely not make too big of a deal out of it.
  • Ask for help from loved ones: Asking for help when you need it is a sign of courage and strength, not weakness. Your friends and family can advocate for you in front of others or boost you up when you feel down.

Try to surround yourself with people who understand your condition and are kind and understanding.

Key Takeaways

  • The symptoms of dyslexia can be managed at all ages, given the correct support.
  • It is important to ask for reasonable adjustments at your place of work or study to improve your performance and get the support you deserve.
  • Social support systems are crucial to maintaining good mental health. They can also help you get the help you need.
  • People with dyslexia often struggle with time and may also have difficulties focusing on tasks or getting organized.
  • Setting reminders, prioritizing important tasks, breaking bigger tasks into smaller chunks, and planning out things or plans in advance, can help with improving focus and organization.
By visitng our site, you agree to use of cookies to enhance your browsing experience.  I Agree