Is Dyslexia a Hidden Disability?

By Fay Capstick

Disability and equal treatment in the workplace have been a big issue, and massive improvements have been made to ensure that everyone is treated equally. This week, we will be investigating dyslexia and asking is it a hidden disability? We shall also cover the basics: what is dyslexia, how can it be managed, what impact it can have at work, and anything else you should know.

Let’s start with the basics…

What actually is dyslexia?

According to the NHS, dyslexia is a ‘common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling’ (estimates put it at 1 in 10 of the population). The important thing to note here is that while it is considered a learning disability, it has no impact on intellectual ability.

What are the symptoms?

There may be a difficulty with reading, and this can include reading aloud. Reading might be slower. The main problem that everyone associates with dyslexia is a problem with spelling, and this is the clue that most people recognise. As a result of this people might avoid activities that involve reading or writing. It can also cause difficulty with maths.

So what causes dyslexia?

It can be genetic as there appears to be a strong trait for it in some families. On scans, the brains of dyslexic people show differences in how written language is processed.

How is it diagnosed?

For most people who live with dyslexia, it will not be a surprise when (and if) they are formally diagnosed. A trained professional can make the diagnosis, and they will usually be an educational psychologist or neuropsychologist.

Diagnosis is more common now, but this is a relatively new status. Many middle-aged adults will not have a diagnosis and will have likely been disadvantaged at school due to this lack of awareness.

So what can be done to help?

There are ways of helping minimise the impact of dyslexia on your life and learning activities through support and interventions.

Many people with dyslexia, myself included, have developed compensatory strategies to help us succeed. This can include using technology or even avoiding tasks that highlight our problem. For example, I am never going to win any spelling bees, but thanks to spell checking I can spell correctly.

How about dyslexia at work? What challenges might it bring?

In the workplace, dyslexia can have an impact. Someone might have trouble reading instructions, emails, reports or other materials quickly and accurately. They may also have challenges in retaining written information.

A big problem might come with report writing or email composition, as there might be spelling errors and grammar and punctuation mistakes. Note-taking can be impacted and there can be particular problems with writing notes quickly while listening.

This can all cause issues with confidence and self-esteem at work which need to be managed carefully to ensure that everyone achieves their full potential and is supported to this end.

What can employers do to help?

The first thing all employers can do is to be understanding. There needs to be awareness of dyslexia and a workplace culture where everyone feels comfortable asking for the accommodations that they need.

Okay, so is dyslexia a hidden disability?

Yes!

Dyslexia is a disability that can dramatically impact academic achievement, job performance and daily activities. It can also cause anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and frustration in doing basic tasks.

Because dyslexia does not have any obvious physical signs, it can therefore be considered invisible to others and this can cause problems as it is up to the individual to ask for accommodations. And while people with dyslexia appear to function, they will likely be masking their problems with reading and/or writing. These coping strategies mask dyslexia further, thus making it even more invisible.

What can help?

In the workplace, there are some things that can help a dyslexic employee to function to the best of their potential.

Assistive Technology: Spelling checks are wonderful, as are grammar checkers. Grammarly (grammarly.com) can give a further helping push. There is also voice dictation and text-to-speech software available.

Flexible deadlines: Where possible and appropriate, extra time might need to be offered for tasks that involve extra reading and writing.

Training and Resources: Training on time management and organisation might be beneficial for some dyslexics.

Clear Communication: Make sure your team understand the tasks that you have given them and offer clarification where appropriate.

Supportive Environment: As we keep saying, the most important thing is to have a supportive, warm, and genuinely caring workplace where your team feel valued for exactly who they are.

Why does this matter?

Understanding dyslexia and the fact that it is a hidden disability should matter to everyone. Everyone deserves to bring their full self to work and to be valued and supported for who they are.

As dyslexia is an invisible condition, individuals may be unfairly judged or have their performance criticised. Therefore everyone needs to be aware of the challenges that dyslexia can bring and be understanding and accepting of this surprisingly common condition.

Final thoughts

At Parker Shaw we have been at the forefront of the sector we serve, IT & Digital Recruitment and Consulting, for over 35 years. We can advise you on all your hiring needs. If you are looking for your next job in the IT sector please check our Jobs Board for our current live vacancies at https://parkershaw.co.uk/jobs-board.