Adult Dyslexia And The Effect

Dyslexia doesn’t end after school. Many of us discover its twists and turns only when we’re grown, juggling responsibilities and new challenges. In this episode, we welcome coach extraordinaire Vanessa Victor, who shares how dyslexia shows up for adults and how we can navigate it with more confidence.

Vanessa talks about the mental load that comes with being an adult with dyslexia, from workplace misunderstandings to relationship hiccups. She highlights the power we have to change our inner stories, especially once we realise that dyslexia doesn’t have to hold us back. This conversation is an uplifting reminder that there’s always a way through the fog.

Why Dyslexia Remains Misunderstood

Dyslexia isn’t just about letters getting jumbled on a page, and it isn’t limited to children in the classroom either. Adults often carry misconceptions, thinking it magically disappears or that it’s nothing but a reading quirk. In reality, it can affect memory, focus, and how we express our ideas.

Vanessa points out that many of us grew up in education systems that focused on what we couldn’t do. Employers can do the same if they don’t fully understand neurodiversity. By staying informed, we can break down old assumptions.

How Dyslexia Affects Everyday Life

Bills, emails, and social plans all come with their own set of mental fireworks for someone with dyslexia. Typing a quick work message or reading a new policy page can turn into a slower process. You might worry about mixing up key details or forgetting important tasks.

Vanessa shared a powerful insight:

“Dyslexia doesn’t end when you become an adult, it just moves into new areas of your life.”

That reminder helps you feel less alone. We learn to adapt, and sometimes that means leaning on technology, picking up new organisational habits, or sharing your challenges with supportive people.

Challenging the Misconceptions

Some folks see dyslexia as an excuse for laziness. Others think it’s a narrow condition that only pops up with reading or writing. Vanessa crushes these ideas by explaining how diverse our brains are.

The real challenge lies in confidence. When you’ve heard throughout childhood that you’re “not trying hard enough,” it can stick. Breaking that script involves a good dose of self-compassion and practical steps to rebuild your self-belief.

We can all improve how we talk about dyslexia in everyday life:

• Use open-minded language instead of implying someone needs fixing.
• Encourage deeper conversations that explore how dyslexia surfaces in adulthood.
• Suggest practical tools or tips so it feels more doable to overcome blocks.

Small Steps Towards Big Change

Vanessa coaches people to make manageable adjustments, like setting reminders on your phone or using speech-to-text for emails. She also encourages reflective thinking—notice when dyslexia flares up, and find patterns in your daily life. That’s how you know where to pivot.

Growth sometimes means expanding your skills, whether it’s learning new software, experimenting with different note-taking methods, or simply giving yourself more breathing room in your schedule. By focusing on steady progress instead of one giant leap, you foster a healthier mindset.

• You’re not alone. Plenty of adults deal with dyslexia every day.
• Dyslexia is multifaceted. Reading’s part of it, but so is memory, attention, and self-talk.
• Confidence can grow. Celebrate small wins and remind yourself that dyslexia isn’t a flaw.
• Support is out there. Practical tools, coaching, and community help you thrive.

Feeling inspired? Tune in to the full episode with the player at the top of this page. You’ll hear more tips from Vanessa, plus real-world stories of overcoming dyslexia-related hurdles. Let’s keep these conversations rolling and empower each other to live our best adult dyslexic lives.