Many adults do not realize they have dyslexia and/or ADD until their own children are diagnosed. Others easily recall as a child the agony of enduring school over the years. An individual does not grow out of dyslexia/ADD; the challenges do not just go away with age.
As an adult in the workplace, learning differences can conceal the fact that one can also be a gifted and competent individual. Your business cannot afford to loose a valuable employee.
Do you recognize any of these challenges in an employee?
Do you experience some of these challenges yourself?
These learning challenges can be corrected.
Reading Challenges
- reading and following detailed written instructions
- reading technical material
- reading on the computer screen
- reading/understanding long reports
- reading out loud in a meeting or presentation (performance is choppy, lacks fluency, words are mixed up)
Writing Challenges
- writing/responding to emails
- writing reports, business plans, notes in a meeting
- filling out forms
- uncertainty with spelling, punctuation or grammar (may use typos as an excuse or may choose to write illegibly)
- difficulty organizing and sequencing ideas
Numbers/Math Challenges
- reversing numerals (e.g. 9, 6) when reading, writing, copying
- sequencing errors with numerals (e.g. 35798, 37598)
- keeping columns aligned
- understanding mathematical concepts (e.g. percentages, profit, ROI)
- confusing signs of operation (+, x)
Direction/Orientation Challenges
- confusing left/right
- getting lost easily in unfamiliar places
- losing bearings even in familiar places
- interpreting maps
- poor sense of direction
- judging distance accurately
Focussing/Short Term Memory Challenges
- staying focussed in meetings/ conference calls (mind wanders)
- staying focussed on a task
- bringing a task to completion
- remembering instructions
- recalling what was said in meetings
- remembering information, facts
- remembering messages, instructions, directions
Time Management Challenges
- arriving on time for meetings
- meeting deadlines for projects
- estimating passage of time
- estimating amount of time needed for an assignment, task, travel
Organizational Skills/Sequencing Challenges
- organizing own belongings
- organizing files, information, papers
- organizing desk area (appears cluttered, disorganized)
- organizing thoughts when speaking to others
- organizing schedules
- being prepared for meetings
- prioritizing jobs to be completed
- following step by step directions
- filing information
- preparing a plan for a large project
Social Challenges
- verbal altercations with co-workers/customers
- getting along with others
- unusually high energy/low energy
- remaining patient (low tolerance for frustration)
- understanding the impact one has on others
- conversing in business or social events