Adult Dyslexia –What You Need to Know About Learning Disability in Adults

Learning disability is a disorder in comprehending or using spoken or written language. Adult dyslexia is one form of learning disability in adults manifested in an individual in their difficulty in information processing. Dyslexics often have difficulty in reading, writing, spelling, performing mathematical calculations, remembering sequences, following given instructions, taking notes, organizing and time keeping. These are just some of the difficulties experienced by dyslexic people but the degree or severity of difficulties may vary from person to person.

Being dyslexic doesn’t mean they are stupid or dumb. Learning disability in adults is a condition that does not interfere with one’s ability to think intelligently or to understand complicated ideas. In fact, there are geniuses who have dyslexia.  Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell are only two of the famous people included in the list of famous dyslexics.  Their minds work differently but  that does not mean that they are lesser of a person than those who are not dyslexic.

There is no cure for learning disability in adults or adult dyslexia but early detection is important because it is a treatable condition. Dyslexics can learn strategies on how to cope and live with their difficulties to make their lives better and fulfilling. Although they have difficulties in reading and writing they have the gifts and abilities to excel on things that average people cannot excel. Many dyslexics are creative or have special talent on art, music, engineering, graphics, electronics, mechanical and other fields. Many dyslexics were able to excel in their chosen field like medicine, law, engineering etc. Dyslexics can often accomplish complicated tasks but have difficulties on simple tasks like reading, spelling, taking instructions, organizing things and time keeping.

Of course dyslexics need to learn to live with people without dyslexia and cope with their difficulties. Although they have positive gifts, it is important to address the negative side of dyslexia to help them cope with their difficulties. Unfortunately many adult dyslexics are unaware that they are suffering from dyslexia or they haven’t had a proper diagnosis. They know that they have difficulties in reading and writing but they do not know it is dyslexia. When they are unbelievably good on complicated things like physics or science, they just believe they have the knack for it. Some dyslexics hide their difficulties and avoid jobs that may expose their learning disability that is why their problems are not properly addressed.

If you think you have learning disability in adults, it is important to get diagnosed and take the necessary screenings because there are treatments and strategies to help you cope with your difficulties. Dyslexia is not a disease or an impairment that someone should get embarrassed about. It is a condition that needs to be understood and addressed properly.