Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. Often the dyslexia is diagnosed in early childhood, but the condition can’t be cured. It’s effects and symptoms will continue throughout adulthood.
For adults who are suffering from dyslexia, it can be more difficult to seek out help, especially if they’ve never received an early diagnosis. You might be surprised how many adults suffering from dyslexia never get properly tested.
Many undiagnosed adults with symptoms of dyslexia create workarounds to help them cope with their disorder.
Hiding dyslexia from others can have an extremely negative impact person’s well-being and will keep people from reaching their full potential.
Fortunately, with the right support system, people with dyslexia can find more effective ways to deal with their disorder.
If you think you or a loved one might show the symptoms of dyslexia but aren’t sure what signs to look for, start by taking free online dyslexia tests. Keep in mind, these tests should only be used to determine the possibility of dyslexia, not offer an accurate diagnosis. For conclusive results, you need to seek help from medical professionals who are specifically trained to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
Below are the most common signs and symptoms of dyslexia in adults.
Avoiding Casual Reading
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about dyslexia?
Most people identify dyslexia with reading difficulties. Problems reading is one of the most common signs of dyslexia. If someone is suffering from dyslexia they will have a hard time focusing on what they are read. Adults who are dealing with dyslexia can get frustrated when they try to read so they avoid reading completely.
Trouble Focusing
Having trouble focusing, especially when reading, can also be a sign of undiagnosed dyslexia.
People affected with dyslexia often lose place when reading and writing. The act of reading and writing becomes extremely stressful because they can’t concentrate and easily lose focus.
Confusing Directions
Someone tells you to look to your right, and you wind up, turning your head in the wrong direction.
And while all adults mix up their left and right, if this is a consistent issue for you, it could be a sign of undiagnosed dyslexia.
Dyslexia can cause issues with spatial reasoning. People dealing with dyslexia can have issues reading maps, following directions, and confuse their left and right.
Dysgraphia and Poor Handwriting
Messy handwriting can also be a sign of dyslexia. Messy handwriting is an easy way to cover up spelling mistakes dyslexics make. If this occurs it can be the result of dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a type of dyslexia a learning disability that affects writing abilities.
Often writing is not legible and leads to problems with spelling, poor handwriting, and putting down thoughts on paper.
Dyscalculia
Some adults just don’t like to do math or are not good with numbers. However, if math is frustrating and confusing this may be a sign of dyscalculia, another symptom of dyslexia. Dyslectics with dyscalculia take longer to calculate numbers and often they make calculation mistakes.
Conclusion
Adults suffering from dyslexia often hide their condition. Often they might be confused whether they have the condition in the first place. This is especially common with mild forms of dyslexia. Adults who think they might have this condition need to learn the symptoms and seek help from medical professionals. Only with proper diagnosis and proper treatment can be adults with dyslexia live normal and productive lives.