Is there a support group for those with dyslexia?

Question

I had it as a child and still struggle as an adult. My husband is having a hard time understanding why I cannot get a job anywhere I want. He is not mean about it at all, just says he doesn't understand well, I just want him to understand better. Maybe if I understood it more I could help him see why I cannot do paperwork well or work with numbers, or appear dumb to people at work and outside my family. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.

Answer 1

Try the LD Online website it includes information on LD adults.

http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/adults

If you can find a copy of the F.A.T. City Workshop video it mentions at the bottom right, it gives an excellent view on LD students.

There is some info on finding support groups http://www.ldonline.org/xarbb/topic/8922

Answer 2

Dyslexia can really create issues for us in every aspect of our lives, in employment, social and home life, because of our problems with writing, spelling, reading, maths, numbers and symbols etc. Which causes frustration both to the sufferer but their colleagues and employer, because they often don't understand the problem.

May I suggest you contact an adult education center and ask what services they offer for adults with learning difficulties, and do they offer note takers, tutors, computer programs that will type, and read for you (Dragon naturally speaking or Text help are two programs that are really good)

I wont lie by saying its easy ITS NOT, but with support from a good adult education center, with access to note takers and or tutors etc you can gain some good skills and qualifications, which help you gain employment.

Never put on your CV/Resume or letter of application that you are dyslexic, only if you make it to an interview do you mention your dyslexic, that is after you have sold your abilities and skills.

Both my daughter and I are dyslexic, being diagnosed as dyslexic at the same time, and I was a little shocked because I did not learn to read until I was 14, and would for many years as an adult avoid reading, and I always had done labour intensive jobs because of the dyslexia.

At the time my daughter was diagnosed there was very little information on dyslexia and how best to support a student in the class, so I learnt as much as I could about dyslexia, and worked on developing some strategies and tips to help her both at home and school. Becoming an advocate for my daughter, but also the teacher of the teachers, teaching them about dyslexia, how it effects the student and how to help my daughter in the class.

I went back to adult education, eventually going onto becoming a qualified Youth & Disability support worker, obviously I would not have done it with the help of the collage and note takers, and really good teachers/lectures, who did not laugh at my spelling mistakes or my mixing up similar sounding words.

I gained employment as a Youth & Disability support worker because of my qualifications and years of experience. At the interview I told them that I was dyslexic and how it affected me, and what strategies I use to cope, that is after I sold my abilities and skills. I was very pleased when I was told before I left the interview that I had a job.

I am also a sessional teacher, which is a bit embarrassing when students pick up on my spelling mistakes, but they are very good about it, and not rude as some people are, if anything when it comes to tests etc, the students know they can approach me for help.

I am more than happy for you to email me for more tips and strategies on how to cope/manage the dyslexia, or just someone to talk too, as there are times I feel quite isolated and frustrated because of my dyslexia.

Especially as I am studying and really having problems with reading, and writing at the moment, and I have a huge assignment due ;-(