Coping Strategies to Help Adults With Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning disorder that affects 15% to 20% of the population. This condition is often detected early in life when a child is learning to read. But dyslexia is a lifelong condition, so it also affects adults. Many people with dyslexia may not even know that they have it. 

Dyslexia causes different symptoms in adults than it does in children. And it can affect your ability to perform tasks at work or at home. It can also affect your social life and mental health. Luckily, there are many coping strategies that can help adults with dyslexia have a fulfilling life.

What does dyslexia look like in adults? 

Dyslexia can affect the way you read, write, learn, and remember information. People with dyslexia have difficulty understanding how parts of language are broken down. This is because of the way that the brain processes words and sounds.

Adults with dyslexia may notice:

• Memory problems

• Trouble with time management

• Difficulty spelling 

• Trouble with writing 

• Difficulty with learning new words or languages 

There’s a common misconception that adults with dyslexia are less intelligent than people who do not have dyslexia. But this is not true. Their brain just works differently. People with dyslexia only have difficulties only when it comes to reading and writing. They can learn through other ways.

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Adults with dyslexia often develop their own strategies to get through school and work — even if they don't know they have it. This is why it could take many years to get a diagnosis as an adult.

What dyslexia feels like

Dyslexia is often called an “invisible disability.” It can be a difficult condition to recognize and manage.

Many adults with dyslexia report feeling shame and embarrassment. They may have even been teased as children because of their symptoms. 

In adulthood, these experiences can lead to:

• Avoiding reading when they don’t have to 

• Feeling frustrated if it takes them longer to complete assignments than their peers

• Feeling pressure to work twice as hard to meet expectations

These challenges can be even more difficult for those who have not been diagnosed. People with dyslexia may not realize why they are experiencing this frustration, or they might incorrectly assume it’s because they are less intelligent than their peers. Without a diagnosis, they likely do not know about coping strategies that can help them overcome these challenges. 

Remember that you are not alone. Many people experience these symptoms without knowing the cause for many years. But there are a lot of things you can do to help your symptoms, and there are resources available for additional support. 

How do adults cope with dyslexia?

When someone is diagnosed with adult dyslexia, it may seem like a relief. But it can also feel very overwhelming. While there’s no cure for dyslexia, there are many ways to help manage it.

Just like all adults, age-related changes in the brain can cause problems with thinking and memory. So adults with dyslexia may experience additional or new challenges as they age. This means coping strategies may evolve over time. 

Always be sure to talk to your doctor or specialist if you notice your needs or challenges are changing as you get older. They can help tailor your treatment to include additional or different types of support.

Coping with day-to-day challenges

Adults with dyslexia can use different strategies to make daily tasks easier. 

Examples of simple strategies include:

• Creating a quiet work area with few distractions 

• Breaking down complex tasks into smaller parts

• Making lists to prioritize work and life tasks  

• Using digital tools to stay organized

But there are many other ways you can get help and support for dyslexia. These include:

Other learning strategies 

Many people with dyslexia are visual learners. Figuring out other methods of learning that work for you can really make a difference. This is especially true because traditional learning methods that rely on reading aren’t as useful for someone with dyslexia. 

Help from specialists 

Tutors can help with reading and writing. And occupational therapists can help with task completion and work management. 

Assistive technology

There are computer and phone applications that can be very helpful. This includes things like:

• Speech recognition software

• Apps that convert speech to text

• Mind mapping software that helps people plan tasks more effectively for their brain

• Smart pens that convert handwriting to computer or phone text

Work or school accommodations

It can be hard to share a diagnosis with a workplace or school. But there are many changes that can help you succeed in these environments. A simple example is allowing for additional time to complete assignments or tasks.

Coping with emotional challenges

Adult dyslexia is more than a learning condition — it affects every aspect of your life. After living with dyslexia for so long, perhaps without knowing, it’s important to address its emotional impacts.

Here are some ways that might help you cope with its emotional challenges:

Learn about adult dyslexia 

Most people do not know that problems in brain processing cause dyslexia. It’s important to remember that dyslexia does not reflect intelligence or the ability to complete tasks correctly. Many people don’t know that dyslexia runs in families.

Get support

Dyslexia can take an emotional toll. Support from loved ones can make a big difference in navigating these challenges. You may also consider working with a therapist to help build your confidence and manage emotional stress.

Connect with your community

There are many groups that support people with dyslexia. Consider joining a group where you can chat with or meet other adults with dyslexia.

Remember that dyslexia does not define you

People with dyslexia may have been teased as children for not keeping up with the average pace of learning and task completion. This stigma may remain even after a diagnosis. It’s important to remind yourself that you are more than your condition.

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Written by:

Loren DeVito, PhD

Loren DeVito, PhD, is a science journalist and neuroscientist who loves when these two sides come together to educate patients and consumers in an impactful way. She is a medical writer  with a decade of experience and has a freelance writing company, Sticky Ink, Inc.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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