Dyslexia

 “A condition affecting the brain that makes it difficult for someone to read and write.”¹⁸

The British Dyslexia Association estimates that around 10% of the population is dyslexic.¹⁹

All individuals with dyslexia will experience their  neurotype differently – here are some of the most  common traits:

• challenges with reading and writing – struggling with spelling, confusing visually similar words (like ‘dog’ and ‘dug’), taking longer to write things, or needing to re-read text multiple times to understand it
• difficulty with task and time management – finding it hard to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively or remember key information, dates or deadlines
• difficulty in focusing – being easily distracted in certain environments and susceptible to ‘information overload’ or overstimulation
• avoidance of reading and writing – reading and writing may feel overwhelming. Lack of confidence in these skills may lead to avoidance of tasks that involve doing them
• speech differences – some individuals with dyslexia may lack confidence while speaking publicly and misuse or mispronounce words, but many others are very skilled at explaining their thoughts verbally and prefer this method of communicating over writing.

Although individuals with dyslexia may encounter barriers in the workplace, there are many areas in which they  excel and contribute unique skills, such as:

• excellent intuition – highly intuitive and empathetic, and very skilled at accurately assessing situations, individuals and outcomes based on limited evidence or information. This often makes them great decision-makers
• ability to see the ‘big picture’ – skilled at assessing multiple aspects and details of a project at one time and making interconnections (also known as ‘three-dimensional thinking’). They can therefore make brilliant project managers and analysts
• observational skills – highly observant and able to identify  anomalies in large amounts of information or data, due to their ability to identify patterns and notice when something is ‘out of place’
• creativity and imagination – did you know that up to 40% of UK entrepreneurs²⁰ have dyslexia, as do many artists and musicians? Individuals with this neurotype often have exceptional imaginations and can ‘think outside the  box’, making them fantastic innovators and designers
• memory – although some individuals with dyslexia may struggle with their short-term memory, many have excellent long-term memory skills and can retain details, particularly when it comes to visual information and experiences.

Supportive ideas for employers and line managers

• Implement inclusive hiring – overly lengthy and wordy application processes can deter individuals with dyslexia from applying for a role. Consider how you can make  applying and onboarding more inclusive, perhaps by  allowing candidates to submit recorded alternatives to written cover letters or CVs; by avoiding long, free-text forms; or by offering trial days to assess their abilities.
• Explore assistive technology – many IT programs are now available that can be helpful to someone with dyslexia, including text-to-speech and speech-to-text programs, spell-check and grammar-assistive programs, coloured text overlays and digital mind-mapping programs. Assistive technology options are rapidly expanding so research what’s available to the individual, based on their preferences, to find what will be the best fit for them. You can find more details on assistive tech programs on the Supportive software page.
• Provide task-prioritisation support – be clear on the timeframe of a project from the start and help the individual create a system that allows them to prioritise tasks for themselves quickly and easily. For example, tasks could be colour- or number-coded, based on their level of urgency and priority.
• Provide time-management support – empower the individual to manage their time more effectively by helping them to build a weekly schedule that includes regular check-ins for key projects. Work with them to implement a reminder system in their calendar or phone to make sure projects remain on track. If they prefer a physical approach, use paper calendars, planners, diaries or prompts, for example, Post-It notes.
• Reduce workplace distractions – enable them to work in areas with minimal distractions, to aid focus and prevent sensory or information overload. This could mean allowing them to work from home more frequently; allocating a desk or workspace in a quiet place away from public areas; offering noise-cancelling headphones; or allowing them to block out dedicated ‘focus time’ in their calendars. For more information on neuroinclusive office design, take a look at the guide produced by AtkinsRéalis.²¹

Supportive ideas for colleagues

• Offer a second pair of eyes – offering to check through their written work or communications can be very helpful to a dyslexic individual. Having a non-judgemental ‘second pair of eyes’ on a draft can make them feel more confident about their work before it’s submitted, and you can help to highlight errors that they can avoid making in future work.
• Prioritise verbal communication – some individuals with dyslexia prefer verbal communication to reading and writing. If this is the case, give verbal instructions as well as written instructions, allow them to use recording devices to take verbal notes and allow them to submit work in an audio or video format where possible.
• Be understanding – you may notice that a colleague with dyslexia has spelling mistakes or unusual grammar in their written communications. Be aware that this is not due to lack of care in their work, and politely ask for clarification if necessary.
• Make documents editable – when sharing documentation with a colleague who has dyslexia, it can be helpful to send it in an editable format. This will allow them to adjust the font, text size, colouring and spacing to suit their unique preferences and make the document more accessible for them.
• Send information ahead of time – send them any information or documentation in advance, so they have plenty of time to read through and process it. Pulling out and highlighting any key information using bullet points or highlighter can be very helpful. Alternatively, you could send it using a voice note.

Supportive ideas for individuals with dyslexia

• Get to know yourself – spend some time exploring what adjustments have been made for other individuals with dyslexia, either at your own workplace or elsewhere. You don’t have to figure out on your own exactly what could work best for you, but learning about changes that have been made to support others will be a good starting point.
• Consider joining a network – a network can be a great place to share your own experiences, concerns or questions, learn from others about theirs and grow your self-confidence. Some organisations have an internal neurodiversity network, but if yours doesn’t, explore options within the wider industry, like our IET Neurodiversity Member Network. You’re not alone.
• Explore assistive technology – there is a wealth of assistive programs and technology designed to support people with neurotypes like dyslexia and many are free to use. Work with your employer or line manager to test things out and identify what might be the most helpful option for you. Examples include dictating software, a recording device (most smartphones have this built-in), specific fonts and colours and mind-mapping programs.
• Record your successes – many people tend to dwell on their mistakes at work, rather than things they’ve excelled at. This is not a useful habit because it can erode self-confidence. Counteract this tendency by keeping a record of any successes and positive feedback you receive and refer back to it frequently. If you struggle to identify your own strengths, ask your line manager or a colleague for input and explore ways you can play to your strengths in your work role.
• Be kind to yourself – dyslexia is in no way related to laziness or intellectual ability. Although you may need more time to complete certain tasks or projects, you are no less capable of completing them than your peers. Be patient with yourself and remind yourself of the unique strengths that your neurotype can bring into a workplace, such as creativity, intuitiveness and attention to detail.

References