Dyslexia testing as an adult- how and did it help?

jenniewb

I have always had issues with my English. Even typing I rely heavily on the spelling feature, not just for spelling errors but also for typos where I regularly switch letters. I also do this with entire when reading which often changes the entire meaning of what is meant. If I had a pound for the times I've replied to others on the forum and then quickly deleted what I've replied because I totally got the wrong end of the stick, I could fund the site myself AND pay off my debts!:money:


It's always been this way and I've just been very lucky that I have stronger skills which don't rely on reading (art/music/verbal/practical skills) so managed to avoid reading and writing at school quite a bit without too many issues or questions (though I did repeatedly fail or remain borderline not-so-good with exam results.

I've never been tested for Dyslexia, I've never needed to be, but the idea of being able to read something AND understand it the first few times for example, I can't help wondering if it is an area I could get help with. But I've never been tested so I am not sure if my issues are genuinely an issue I could get help with or not.


Does anyone know first of all if there is a legitimate way to be tested? And how to go about that and secondly, if there is any point in getting something diagnosed? Is there anything for example that employers can do to help?

Rowan9

Hi
Yes you can be tested. The official diagnosis would come from an educational psychologist. Not sure of costs where you live but poss £275 ish. However you can get a screening through something like DAST (Dyslexia Adult Screening Test) which will give you a 'probability ' and show areas of strength plus any with weakness.
I suggest contacting British Dyslexia Assoc.
Access to Work is the govt site which shows how equal opportunities are managed in the work place. Dyslexia is termed as a disability but I think you might need an ed psychologist diagnosis/ report in order to ask for alternatives at work e.g. assistive software like Text Help which has a read aloud function.
There are also good apps.
Yes people with dyslexia can get help to find assistive software, learn strategies etc.
The other wonderful side is that the dyslexic brain tends to be creative, can think out of the box, can visualise the final result when planning. Loads that people without dyslexia can't learn from books.
Hope this helps

teddysmum

I met a lady, who didn't realise she was dyslexic until her son was put through tests and she commented to the examiner that she couldn't do some of the things the boy was asked to do. The examiner, then, did a brief check and declared that she, too, was dyslexic, suggesting that she joined the then 'Basic Skills' English course,which was free anyway.


I don't know how it came about ,but because of the problem, she was given her own assistant who worked with the course tutor.


It would be worth contacting your local further education college ,to see what can be offered. The courses are free, unless they are on leisure topics or GCSE upwards and are also held in the evenings (possibly on Saturday mornings, too)for people who work full time.