Difficulties in reading do not disappear with age. Government statistics show that 25 million Americans, or one in ten, are functionally illiterate. The primary cause is untreated dyslexia. While some succeed in life despite their literacy difficulties, many continue to struggle with employment and self-esteem as they seek a diagnosis, support, and remediation.

Many adults with dyslexia are high achievers across diverse fields, including well-known names such as Charles Schwab, Richard Branson, Tommy Hilfiger, and Steven Spielberg. A large number of leaders in fields that demand creativity, inventiveness, and entrepreneurial thinking contend with dyslexia. Often, these individuals call it their superpower. Success with a literacy challenge results from incredible resilience, adaptivity, lateral thinking, and determination.

Difficulty with reading has lifelong adverse repercussions. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported in 2016 that 14% of state and federal prisoners had a diagnosed learning disability, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, and 24% reported they had been diagnosed with an attention disorder (Bronson et al., 2021).

Literacy is a fundamental component of participation in our society. Reading difficulties impact occupational choices, and many individuals with dyslexia experience difficulty with acquiring and keeping a job and may work at a level that is lower than their intellectual or educational ability. Promotions often raise the level of text-related work, leading to stress, embarrassment, and fear.

Just as children with dyslexia struggle to understand why their classmates are acquiring reading effortlessly, so adults continue to question their literacy challenges if never diagnosed in childhood. Adults have sought my support despite having graduate degrees in history, law, and medicine. Partially they are seeking an answer to the childhood question of "why is reading so difficult?", but they also continue to need solutions to the consequential impacts they face even after such accomplishment. People frequently use the throw-away comment "I'm so dyslexic" when they make a spelling error, but those with an undisclosed learning disability, find these public errors anxiety-provoking and they fear making mistakes that will cost them greatly.

If an adult or college-age student has never received an evaluation or diagnosis of their literacy and learning abilities, this is the place to begin. A full diagnostic report provides an explanation, appropriate treatment, and possible work or college-based accommodations. Adults with dyslexia still benefit from specialized reading and writing instruction. There are many technological tools available to assist individuals with reading, spelling, and note-taking. With proper evaluations, targeted instruction, and accommodations, adolescents and adults can achieve their goals and make unique contributions to the workforce and society.

Resources:

Maruschak, L., Bronson, J., and Alper, M., Survey of Prison Inmates, 2016 Disabilities Reported by Prisoners. Bureau of Justice Statistics, March 2021.

https://www.dyslexia.com/about-dyslexia/dyslexic-achievers/all-achievers/

Lifelong Dyslexia Impacts