Dyslexia and debts

SBK220

I strongly believe that there is a link between having dyslexia and being in debts heavily. I have experienced this with a close relative and it comes across quite clearly to me that this person doesn’t know how to manage his money, can’t get organised, never read small prints … and becomes a victim of bank charges and high interest rates credit cards/loans. Would it be possible to get some help?

MalMonroe

I strongly dispute your belief.

There is no proven link whatsoever between dyslexia and being heavily in debt.

Dyslexia simply means that people cannot always differentiate between certain letters which sometimes means they are slower at reading. Intelligence is not affected and it's a literate, rather than numerate, problem. 

My best friend is dyslexic and she is also a professor at a very prestigious university. My cousin is dyslexic and runs his own business. Both are highly intelligent.

NHS explains it here : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/

Some people just really don't know how to manage money, nothing to do with dyslexia. If you do know how to manage money and your close relative doesn't, could you give them some help? 

It could be that your relative also has other conditions that are as yet undiagnosed. If so, he may be eligible for help from social services.

First step here, as far as I can see, would be to ask your relative to make an appointment to see their GP, who may (or may not) think that it'd be beneficial to arrange for some testing. If it turns out that he does need help, a referral to social services will then be made. Of course, your relative would have to be willing to see his GP in the first instance. 

Brie

MalMonroe's dismissal is a bit simplistic.  

I would agree that there is no causal link in that dyslexia does not cause being in debt.  But it is well known to be a contributing factor for some much in the same way that being illiterate is.  It's true that dyslexia does not equal stupid, neither does illiteracy.  But both can make it very difficult to navigate in a literate world. 

Additionally just because one person can cope with dyslexia it doesn't mean the next one can.  There are many types of dyslexia, it's not just that similar letters may look the same (i.e. q g p b d) but can also mean that all the letters move about.

There are also related issues such as dyscalculia which does relate to numbers rather than letters but they can both affect some people.  

If your cousin has problems reading and understanding what is being sent by the bank or any other institution the best thing to do is inform that bank etc that there is an issue.  They should be able to provide an alternative way of informing of any changes and be able to spend the time required to ensure there is a proper understanding of their T&Cs.  If your cousin was blind the bank would need to send things in braille or via an audiofile. 

The alternative, if your cousin is willing, is to provide you or someone else suitable to have some authority to represent them in their financial dealings.  This might mean being with them when they are phoning the bank, phoning on their behalf, reading out to them any letters or statements etc.

Alice_Holt

SBK220 said:

..... being heavily in debt . Would it be possible to get some help?

     Stepchange - https://www.stepchange.org/

   https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator


  There are many reasons why someone might experience a debt crisis:
  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/debt-and-mental-health

MalMonroe

Thank you @Brie but I disagree. My comment is neither simplistic nor dismissive. Far from it.

Dyslexia is NOT an illness nor is it a disability, as can be seen in the NHS link that I posted previously. And there could very well be another underlying but as yet undiagnosed cause of the OP's relative's inability to cope with money matters. For example, autism or adult ADHD. Both are very common and both can be helped, which is why I suggested that the OP's relative saw their GP.  GPs have the authority to refer people to social services, where there are specialist teams designed to help people who struggle with day to day and financial matters.

@Alice_Holt also has some good advice which may not have already been considered by the OP or his relative.

We are trying to make positive suggestions, as are you I know but it isn't fair - and doesn't serve any purpose - to criticise others who are putting forward thoughts and suggestions. Hopefully somewhere amongst our combined comments the OP will be able to find a helpful solution.

You may not agree with what we say and that's your prerogative but there's no need to be quite so dismissive. Especially when we all have the same aim - to help the OP and his relative.

Brie

@MalMonroe
We'll have to agree to disagree! But, yes, dismissal was the wrong word to use.

Dyslexia is considered a disability in the sense of how it affects someone's learning or relative ability to work.  It's a very common issue to be addressed via workplace adjustments.  That's why companies and schools need to supply read/write software and other aids such as coloured overlays to ensure an even playing field. 

It's also something that is considered by many financial institutions as to whether the individual as potentially vulnerable - and that's due to the fact that they may not be able to read or understand things in the same way as others.  Using a chat facility for a bank for instance may be a complete disaster for some.  

I do agree that these issues are often very complex, particularly if there is more than one type of neurodiversity being exhibited.

elsien

MalMonroe said:

Thank you @Brie but I disagree. My comment is neither simplistic nor dismissive. Far from it.

Dyslexia is NOT an illness nor is it a disability, as can be seen in the NHS link that I posted previously. And there could very well be another underlying but as yet undiagnosed cause of the OP's relative's inability to cope with money matters. For example, autism or adult ADHD. Both are very common and both can be helped, which is why I suggested that the OP's relative saw their GP.  GPs have the authority to refer people to social services, where there are specialist teams designed to help people who struggle with day to day and financial matters.

@Alice_Holt also has some good advice which may not have already been considered by the OP or his relative.

We are trying to make positive suggestions, as are you I know but it isn't fair - and doesn't serve any purpose - to criticise others who are putting forward thoughts and suggestions. Hopefully somewhere amongst our combined comments the OP will be able to find a helpful solution.

You may not agree with what we say and that's your prerogative but there's no need to be quite so dismissive. Especially when we all have the same aim - to help the OP and his relative.

Realistically speaking, a referral to social services with regards to financial matters will just see the person signposted elsewhere. 

I suspect that the specialist teams you are referring to are Care Act related. 

The first eligibility criteria being that the  adult’s needs for care and support arise from or are related to a physical or mental impairment or illness and are not caused by other circumstantial factors.

And even if eligible, they may not qualify for support other than to be again signposted elsewhere. Social services are struggling to get round to people who have a high level of support needs.  They will not get involved in debt management unless the person lacks capacity around their finances in which case an appointee may be requested.

From the limited information in the OP, none of this seems to apply. 

It is worth checking with the banks though to see what they can offer to make life easier. 

Just an example from one bank:

https://www.lloydsbank.com/banking-with-us/everyday-assistance/dyslexia-and-dyscalculia.html

Also some good ideas on a previous thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6001549/budgeting-help-for-dyslexic-girlfriend

However it is important to ask whether your relative does want the support. You can lead a horse to water….

born_again

SBK220 said:

I strongly believe that there is a link between having dyslexia and being in debts heavily. I have experienced this with a close relative and it comes across quite clearly to me that this person doesn’t know how to manage his money, can’t get organised, never read small prints … and becomes a victim of bank charges and high interest rates credit cards/loans. Would it be possible to get some help?

If the debts are bank related then they can talk to their bank and ask to speak to the team that deals with vulnerable customers.

But at the end of the day. If they are finding it that hard. Then someone needs to look at getting POA to assist them.

The ability to not read small print is something that even the most able bodied & mentally astute people do all the time.


Would also agree that speaking to Stepchange is a good way forward to help clear the debts. Many banks send people with debt problems their way.

knightstyle

For free friendly help go to  https://capuk.org/i-want-help
These are christians who are very experienced at helping those in trouble without pushing their religion.

Spare_change

We are all entitled to an opinion but the person dismissing dyslexia/debt link is not helping.
Dyslexia is often linked to ASD,  where executive function is impaired.  I have researched undiagnosed autism and come to the conclusion that my 50 yr old son has had this form of neurodivergence together with dyslexia since he was a child.
 I knew there was something wrong but in the 1970s neither of these conditions were recognised.
He is actually incapable of managing his affairs, he simply cannot process information.
His partner recently left him 2 years ago and since then he has been struggling with ever increasing debts.
Understandably he resents my  input. 
I wonder who to turn to to help him keep his finances in order.

elsien

It is probably better to start your own thread if you have a specific question rather  than tag a post onto the end of one that’s three years old. You will get more specific and relevant replies.