Dyslexia is a lifelong disability. Children with dyslexia will grow up to become adults. Support methods for children with dyslexia are also effective for adults, but their life situations may differ. Instead of struggling in the classroom, dyslexics must struggle in the office, community, and everyday life of a responsible adult.
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Part 1 of 4: Adapting to Dyslexics
Step 1. Provide information in an easily accessible format
Dyslexia is an invisible disability. You don't know if a coworker, peer, supervisor or employee is dyslexic. It is best to use a number of styling designs that are easy to access and read at all times.
Text with the same initial and ending borders on each line (justified) is more difficult for dyslexics to read, because there are many different spacings between letters and words. Use left-aligned text to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read
Step 2. Ask the dyslexic's needs
Dyslexia affects everyone in different ways, so the best information comes from dyslexics themselves. For some people, reading a map is the hardest thing. Others have difficulty reading numbers and letters alternately.
- Don't assume you know what's best for adults with dyslexia. The sufferer may not even need your help.
- Make sure you speak to the patient in a private and discreet manner, and respect the confidentiality of all the patient's words.
Step 3. Provide some accommodation
Make a list of accommodations that can be provided to people with dyslexia. This way, the sufferer will know about your good intentions and support to make life for the dyslexic person easier at work or in the classroom. Patients will be able to choose the best option according to their learning style. The types of accommodation that can be provided include:
- Appropriate seating locations (e.g., sitting at the front so that the blackboard and teacher's face can be seen clearly).
- Extra time
- Text adjustments (eg, have someone read the text aloud to a person with dyslexia).
- Textbooks that have been marked with color.
- Computer-assisted instructions.
- Document conversion, eg audio assistance for printed texts.
- Delegate a note taker, or laboratory or library assistant.
- Individual accommodation not listed above
- To obtain official accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for example at work or college, people with dyslexia must have recent disability confirmation. However, this official confirmation takes a lot of time and money. If you want to help a dyslexic adult, know that there are many adjustments you can make on your own.
Step 4. Recognize that adult dyslexics may not be aware of their disability
If the sufferer is not diagnosed as a child, the adult sufferer may not be aware of his or her personal learning style. Thus, this learning style affects their daily life.
- You can ask the sufferer more about his condition and things that can be done to help him.
- Respect the patient's decision if he or she does not want to be diagnosed and seek help options.
Step 5. Protect the dyslexic person's privacy
If you are a manager or teacher, you are legally responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your employee or student record status. If a student comes to you for assistance, his or her disability diagnosis may not be on the accommodation acquisition qualification page.
- It is important to ensure the confidentiality of patients' diagnoses at all times due to the stigma associated with learning disabilities.
- Patients can express their notes as they wish.
Part 2 of 4: Adapting Printed Materials for Dyslexics
Step 1. Use a font that is easy for people with dyslexia to read
People with dyslexia find it easier to read simple, sans-serif, and spaced fonts such as Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, Geneva, Verdana, Century-Gothic, and Trebuchet. Most sufferers prefer a font size of 12-14 points, although some prefer a larger size.
- Avoid using fonts (eg Times New Roman), as the font will be blurred.
- Do not use italics to emphasize information, as the letters will appear thinner and harder to read. We recommend that you use bold to emphasize information.
Step 2. Don't cause visual distortions for the dyslexic reader
If you are a blogger, teacher, or manager, change a few things to prevent visual distortion, such as blurring or blanching of the letters (the “wash-out effect.”) These changes will also make it easier for casual readers. For example, most people find it difficult to read long cursive text. Use short paragraphs, and limit one main idea to each paragraph.
- You can also divide very long sentences with main headings, or section headings that conclude the topic of each section.
- Avoid a plain white background, as it will be difficult for readers to focus on the font.
- Dark text and light backgrounds are easier to read. Avoid green, red, or pink fonts as they are more difficult for people with dyslexia to read.
Step 3. Choose a paper that is comfortable to read
Make sure the paper you use is thick enough so that the writing on the back doesn't seep through to the page. Use matte paper instead of glossy which can reflect light and increase visual stress.
- Avoid digital printing processes so that the results are not shiny.
- Experiment with different colored papers to find the color that is easiest for dyslexics to read.
Step 4. Provide clearly written guidelines
Avoid lengthy detailed explanations. Use short sentences that are direct and concise. Don't use acronyms or overly technical language.
- Include diagrams, drawings and visual flowcharts whenever possible.
- Use bulleted or numbered lists instead of bold paragraphs.
Part 3 of 4: Leveraging Technology
Step 1. Use speech-to-text software
It is easier for adults with dyslexia to speak than to write. For people who have difficulty choosing words, have limited writing skills, or tend to find it difficult to put ideas on paper, a speech recognition program may be able to help them.
- Some examples of this software include Dragon Naturally Speaking and Dragon Dictate.
- You can write emails, compose an essay, or surf the internet with voice commands.
Step 2. Use the text-to-speech feature
Many e-readers now have written-to-speech and audiobook options. Additionally, many publishers now include a written-to-spoken option when selling digital books. There are three mobile device options for using the written-to-spoke option: Kindle Fire HDX, the iPad, and Nexus 7.
- The Kindle Fire HDX has a feature called Immersion Reading, which syncs highlighted Kindle text with professional audio narration from Audible.
- The Nexus 7 offers multiple settings options for different users. This feature is useful if you share your mobile device with other family members.
Step 3. Familiarize yourself with this application
There are many different types of apps available to help people with dyslexia of all ages. Written-to-speech applications such as Blio, Read2Go, Prizmo, Speak It! Text to Speech, and Talk to Me. Flipboard, and Dragon Go are search engines that rely on spoken commands so users can ignore printed text.
Reminder applications such as Textminder or VoCal XL, will create reminders from schedule texts on the calendar, class schedules, meeting schedules, medication, and others
Part 4 of 4: Understanding Dyslexia More
Step 1. Know the differences in information processing
The main disability of adults with dyslexia is the difference in the way the brain processes information. This distinction is most evident in the interpretation of written language. Since most people read as children, dyslexia is generally diagnosed in childhood.
- Dyslexia can also affect the processing of audio information, so the sufferer is unable to process speech properly.
- Sometimes, the speed with which people with dyslexia process spoken language is slower than normal people.
- People with dyslexia sometimes interpret language literally, meaning that figures of speech and sarcasm are often misinterpreted.
Step 2. Find out about memory differences
People with dyslexia often have weak short-term memory. Sufferers usually forget facts, events, plans, and so on. Working memory, or the mental ability to hold a number of pieces of information together, such as taking notes while listening to a teacher's lesson, can be impaired.
- People with dyslexia may be wrong in basic information, for example in stating their age or the ages of their children.
- Adult dyslexics may not be able to recall information without additional notes.
Step 3. Learn about communication defects
People with dyslexia may have difficulty choosing words, or an inability to put thoughts into words. Sufferers often misinterpret verbal information, and communication will be difficult without proper understanding.
- The volume or pitch of a dyslexic voice may be slightly louder or softer than others.
- Sometimes, people with dyslexia pronounce words differently.
Step 4. Know about literacy differences
People with dyslexia usually have difficulty learning to read. In fact, sometimes people with dyslexia still cannot read until adulthood, even though their intelligence does not decrease. When dyslexics read, it is often difficult to spell correctly.
- Adults with dyslexia are more difficult to understand reading. Sufferers may have difficulty scanning text for meaning or processing written guidelines quickly.
- People with dyslexia have difficulty reading technical terms and acronyms. Whenever possible, use simple words or pictures or other visual aids to make it easier for people with dyslexia to read.
Step 5. Be aware of sensory differences
Many people with dyslexia experience increased sensory sensitivity to the environment and visual stimulation. Patients may not be able to ignore non-relevant information, or prioritize visually relevant information.
- Dyslexia will interfere with the patient's ability to concentrate, and his attention seems easily distracted.
- Sounds or movement in the background can be hard to ignore. Provide a workspace that is free from distractions so that the patient can concentrate properly.
Step 6. Understand visual stress in people with dyslexia
Some people with dyslexia experience something called "visual stress" while reading. When a person experiences visual stress, printed text will appear distorted, and the letters in words appear blurry. Perhaps, the text will appear to move.
- Use a different color of ink or paper to reduce visual stress. For example, use beige or pastel colored paper.
- Try changing the background color of your computer screen to make it easier to see.
- The color of the ink used can affect the ability of people with dyslexia to read text. For example, using a red marker on a whiteboard is almost impossible for a dyslexic person to read.
Step 7. Realize that stress will make the dyslexic person's disability worse
Research shows that people with learning disabilities (eg dyslexia), are more sensitive to stress than ordinary people. In stressful situations, disability in people with dyslexia will get worse.
- Therefore, people with dyslexia tend to have lower self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.
- Ways to deal with stress can help sufferers relieve their disability.
Step 8. Know the strengths of the dyslexic
People with dyslexia tend to be more adept at understanding the main idea of an information, and able to deal with problems well. People with dyslexia generally have an instinct to understand how things work.
- People with dyslexia have good visual-spatial skills.
- Adult dyslexics may have greater creativity and curiosity, and tend to think “outside the box.”
- If a project attracts the attention of a dyslexic, the focus given to the project will be greater than that of an ordinary person.
Tips
- If you are dyslexic, your manager is required by law to make adjustments at work to support your performance.
- There is no legal reason for disclosing dyslexia on a job application, resume, or C. V.
