Some 80 per cent of dyslexic adults were told they were stupid in primary school. Although it is estimated that 8 per cent of people may be dyslexic, many only discover it as adults, writes Fiona Tyrell
Although commonly considered a childhood difficulty, more and more adults are being diagnosed with dyslexia and discovering that some of the difficulties they have struggled with on a daily basis are actually the symptoms of the condition.
Although there are no official figures for dyslexia prevalence in Ireland, it is estimated, based on international studies, that up to 8 per cent of the population has some degree of dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability, which is caused by differences in the way the brain works. A person with the condition may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling or with arithmetic. It can also make learning languages more difficult.
An increased awareness of the symptoms means that many people are now discovering their dyslexia later in life. For many the discovery is made when they go to get their child assessed for the condition and realise they exhibit similar symptoms.
"These adults may find they are having difficulty helping their children with their homework, are terrified of being asked to take the minutes of a meeting, or have never read a book from cover to cover," according to Deirdre Griffin, a psychologist who specialises in assessing adults with dyslexia.
Half of her clients at An Cuan Centre for Psychological Services, Dundrum are adults.
By the time an undiagnosed dyslexic person has reached adulthood, he or she will have experienced "frustration, embarrassment and difficulty as a result of their condition, on many occasions", according to Ms Griffin.
Making the decision to be assessed for dyslexia as an adult can be a very "daunting experience," because often negative memories of school, where many people with dyslexia were labelled lazy or stupid, resurface, she explained.
Some 80 per cent of dyslexic adults were told they were stupid in primary school, according to Ms Griffin who said that self-esteem can be a big issue for adults with dyslexia.
The support of a partner or friend can be essential to the process. Often contact is made with the psychologist by a third party and it can take four or five phone calls before an appointment is made.
"Dyslexia can impact on any combination of the following: reading ability, spelling ability, writing ability or mathematics. However, underlying all of these is the very real impact of struggling in school and the subsequent effects on one's self esteem.
"The cruel aspect of dyslexia is that, by definition, a dyslexic person is functioning in at least the average range of intelligence, making them very aware of the mismatch between their understanding and their ability to communicate this in written form. Naturally, this can lead to a lot of frustration."
A diagnosis of dyslexia can have quite a profound impact on an adult. A wide variety of feelings can be experienced, relief, anger (at parents or school for not having recognised the difficulty), motivation and understanding. Sometimes a couple of counselling sessions are needed, Ms Griffin said.
"An assessment in itself will not change the person you are, but will give you the opportunity to hold a mirror up to yourself and develop a better understanding of yourself."
If people are not diagnosed in childhood it can prevent them achieving their potential in the education system or the work place, according to Anne Hughes, director of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI).
"If it is not dealt with it can cause problems for all of your life. The more serious the dyslexia the more serious the problem. Many people deal with it, but for others dyslexia can hold them back no matter how bright they are.
"We consider it to be very important for adults to investigate if they are dyslexic. A lot of adults go through life thinking they are stupid, because they have been told that all their lives."
Although employers have become very disability conscious in recent years, there is little understanding about the issue of dyslexia and the DAI has encountered many adults who are experiencing difficulties, such as bullying or pressure to resign, because their employer doesn't recognise or understand the condition.
People with dyslexia take longer to acquire automatic skills and so it can take more time to get used to a new system in work, she explained. "It is not that they are less able or less intelligent it is just that they need a longer lead-in time."
The DAI and FÁS run a course in Celbridge, Co Kildare specifically for Dyslexic adults.
This course gives individuals the opportunity to develop their literacy skills, computer skills and improve job application success.
While dyslexia is a lifelong condition, there is a wide range of options available to those who have been formally diagnosed.
"Dyslexia is a specific learning difference. Information is processed in a different way to that presented in the average classroom. Diagnosis means that people can access learning, in a style that suits their own learning needs, leading to a significantly higher level of success," Ms Griffin explained.
Adults who have left education can work on a one-to-one basis if necessary. Recent developments in computer technology such as voice-operated and screen reading programmes and have revolutionised the lives of people with reading and spelling difficulties.
Even simple aids such as hand-held electric organisers and hand-held electronic dictionaries can make a big difference, according to the DAI.
The DAI can be contacted on 01 6790276. An Cuan Centre for Psychological Services can be contacted on 01 2967870.