Dyslexia Symptoms in Adults

Before we take a look at the symptoms of dyslexia in adults let us first take a quick look at what is Dyslexia in the first place.

What is Dyslexia?

There have been many definitions of Dyslexia over the years and with more and more understanding we have come to understand dyslexic patients and their condition a whole lot better. Dyslexia is a disability that specifically deals with learning. Dyslexia is of a neurological origin. Keep in mind that it is NOT a disease and being dyslexic has nothing to do with being intelligent. Dyslexia is not an ethnic, racial or gender based disorder. It can happen to both men and women alike.

Dyslexia should not be confused with the following

• Disease
• Being poor on intelligence
• Laziness or not being of a caring nature
• Something that can be cured with medicines or drugs

How Does Dyslexia happen to an Adult?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that has neurological roots. It is a hereditary or a genetic condition. Remember that Dyslexia is not a disease but a disorder. Therefore, it cannot be contracted at any age or time. Adults with dyslexia have the disorder since childhood. A child is born with dyslexia and as they grow they struggle to learn or remember or express themselves in words. If diagnosed at an early stage of childhood it will help the individual to receive necessary training and treatment to overcome future educational problems.
Having said the above, Dyslexia can be treated at any point in time in the life of an individual. However, it is necessary that it be diagnosed so that it is dealt with. There is no cure for dyslexia but an individual is treated or trained to grasp words and information.

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia among Adults

The symptoms given below are to be associated with dyslexia if it is not usual for the individual’s age, level of education or cognitive abilities.

Signs and symptoms depicted by a dyslexic adult are as follows

• A dyslexic adult will not be able to read properly. Hence, they might hide their reading problems.

• They will have poor spelling abilities and will often rely on others to correct their spellings.

• They may also not be able to write. However, they are very confident in oral form of communication.

• At work they may be working well below the intellectual capacity required at their level.

• They may not be very good at planning, organizing and managing time, materials and tasks.

On the bright side, many dyslexic adults also have the following positives

• They are very good entrepreneurs.

• They could have very strong memory. This is largely because they are unable to use words in the written format and they start relying on their memory

• They are also known to have excellent people and inter personal skills.

• The right hemisphere in the brain is larger for a dyslexic as compared to a normal person. Therefore, they are stronger in areas controlled by the right side of their brain. Hence, you will often come across talented and creative people who are dyslexic. They do really well in the creative fields, sports and at visualizing 3-D images. For e.g. engineers, architects, designers, pastry arts, sports and musicians, etc…

• Dyslexics have a very good intuitive sense as well. They are very good at reading people and understanding them.