Dyslexia And Being Socially Awkward

Dyslexia can be tricky, especially when it spills into the way you socialise. This episode dives into five ways dyslexia can affect your social comfort, whether you’re chatting with friends, dating, or even in serious work meetings. It explores why these awkward moments show up and how small shifts in perspective can help you feel more at ease.

The conversation highlights that dyslexia isn’t just about reading difficulties. It’s deeply connected to how our brains process information, making moments of confusion, hesitation, or overthinking more common. By understanding the roots of social awkwardness, you’re more equipped to step forward with confidence.

Recognising When Dyslexia Hurts Social Confidence

One of the biggest hurdles is spotting when dyslexia is the cause of your social uncertainty. Sometimes you might feel clumsy or forgetful and not realise it’s part of your dyslexic wiring. You may stumble over words or struggle to keep up when the group chat speeds up. It’s easy to think, “Is it just me or is it my dyslexia?”

When you discover that your struggles have a name, things start to make sense. You understand why you might pause mid-story, or mix up someone’s name, and you see that others with dyslexia often do the same. It’s not just you.

Exploring the Five Awkward Moments

Here are five common ways dyslexia can invite awkward feelings:

• Mixing Up People’s Names: Even if you’ve rehearsed, the names can slip away.
• Losing Track of Conversations: You’re chatting away, then suddenly, “Wait, what were we talking about?”
• Overthinking Responses: Answering a simple question can feel like you’re giving a TED talk.
• Reading Jokes Wrong: Puns or wordplay can be extra confusing, leaving you giggling too late or not at all.
• Word Retrieval Issues: You might know what you want to say, but the words don’t cooperate.

In the podcast, Stephen shares a personal example:

“I’d talk myself in circles, then worry if I’d made sense. Often, I’d walk away thinking I sounded silly, but later I realised it was just my brain’s unique wiring at work.”

Dating and Friendships

Relationships can bring out our best, and also our anxiety. Dyslexia may amplify that, particularly in one-on-one chats. You might get nervous about mispronouncing a word or worry about silent pauses that stretch a bit long.

If you find yourself explaining, "Sometimes I jumble words," try to do it with a smile. Most people appreciate honesty and openness. Stepping away from the idea that you have to be perfect creates a more relaxed vibe. People want real connections, not polished performances.

The Workplace Challenge

Meetings, presentations, and team chats can be tough. Anyone with dyslexia who’s tried to read off a script in a formal setting knows that pressure. You might lose your place or mix up a term you’d normally say with ease.

Learning to adapt can help. Try bullet-pointed note cards instead of memorised lines, or ask if you can send a follow-up email rather than give an off-the-cuff update. You’re doing your best. A little planning goes a long way.

Boosting Social Skills and Confidence

Your dyslexia doesn’t have to lock you in a cycle of social hesitancy. Embrace simple strategies to ease the tension:

• Practise Gentle Self-Talk: Reinforce that you’re allowed to make mistakes.
• Pause to Breathe: If you’re stuck finding the right word, take a quick breath. It’s surprising how a moment of calm helps you refocus.
• Use Reminders: Keep friend or colleague names in a note on your phone. Glance at it when a conversation starts.
• Acknowledge the Quirk: Telling people you sometimes get names mixed up can break the ice and lighten the mood.

With these tools, you’ll see that being dyslexic doesn’t mean being socially cut off. You can refine your strengths in empathy and creative thinking instead.

Key Takeaways:

• Dyslexia can surface in everyday interactions, not just in the classroom.
• Many social hiccups hinge on short-term memory or processing speed.
• Open communication about your dyslexia often eases tension.
• With small adjustments, you can thrive in any social or professional setting.
• Awkward moments aren’t flaws, they’re genuine parts of the dyslexic experience.

Curious to learn more about these five awkward moments, plus stories on how to cope? Scroll up and listen to the full episode. It’s a warts-and-all conversation that might just make you feel less alone.