Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading and writing, and it is caused by individual differences in areas of the brain that process language. Dyslexia is not due to problems with intelligence, hearing, or vision, and it can affect both children and adults. Here are some common signs and symptoms of dyslexia in adults:
- Confusing visually similar words such as cat and cot
- Spelling erratically
- Finding it hard to scan or skim text
- Reading/writing slowly
- Needing to re-read paragraphs to understand them
- Finding it hard to listen and maintain focus
- Finding it hard to concentrate if there are distractions
- Feeling sensations of mental overload/switching off
- Having difficulty telling left from right
- Getting confused when given several instructions at once
- Having difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
- Often forgetting conversations or important dates
- Having difficulty with personal organization, time management, and prioritizing tasks
- Avoiding certain types of work or study
- Finding some tasks really easy but unexpectedly challenged by others
- Having poor self-esteem, especially if dyslexic difficulties have not been identified in earlier life
It is important to note that everyones experience of dyslexia will be individual to them, but these common indicators alongside abilities in other areas could suggest dyslexia and should be investigated further. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have dyslexia, it is recommended to get an indication if you may be dyslexic from an adult dyslexia checklist and/or a dyslexia screener. These are not diagnostic tools but can be used to indicate whether further investigations should take place. If a checklist and/or screener indicates that you are likely to be dyslexic, a formal Diagnostic Assessment is the only way to confirm whether you have dyslexia.
