Finding Out You're Dyslexic With Siobhan

Ever wondered what it’s like to discover you’re dyslexic as an adult? In today’s episode, we talk to Siobahn from Newcastle, who found out she was dyslexic at 35. She shares her candid story about coming to terms with that diagnosis and how it’s changed her life, especially around music and family.

This chat is packed with insights on self-acceptance, family dynamics, and how creative thinking can flourish once you understand your own mind. If you’re curious about uncovering the strengths of dyslexia, you’ll love hearing Siobahn’s story.

Meet Siobahn

Siobahn is a friendly soul from Newcastle who always felt a bit different. She nurtured a deep love for music, creativity, and connection with others, but something never quite clicked at school. Endless reading struggles and tricky spelling left her feeling behind. Yet she pushed on, building a busy life with her family and a job she poured her heart into.

She says the diagnosis helped her see why she thinks the way she does. It felt like a key that opened her perspective on life. Suddenly, past frustrations made sense and it was a weight off her shoulders.

Discovering Dyslexia at 35

Receiving an official dyslexia diagnosis is huge at any age, but it can be particularly jarring in your mid-thirties. It’s the stage where you often think you’ve figured out who you are. For Siobahn, it was a revelation that explained so many of her previous assumptions.

“I never realised how much sense it would make once I understood how my mind worked!” — Siobahn

Feeling that sense of relief and clarity can spur you to own your differences. Siobahn’s story sparks a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to learn about yourself.

Music & Memory Tricks

Siobahn’s musical mind is amazing. She’s intrigued by how people remember words, tunes, and chord patterns, especially if they have dyslexic tendencies. She’s noticed that repetition helps, but she’d love to learn fresh techniques from others who relate to this challenge. You can find her on Instagram at self_serenades. Share your strategies and connect with her if you’re also a music lover.

Her unique approach might look like this:

• Playing songs in chunks instead of all at once.
• Singing a tricky line repeatedly while strumming basic chords.
• Recording short voice notes to recall new melody ideas.

Creating simple, small steps keeps stress lower and makes each practice more joyful.

Using Dyslexia to Your Advantage

Siobahn also touched on how she’s harnessed dyslexia’s creativity. Instead of seeing it as a barrier, she’s found ways to spark new ideas and keep her mind flexible. She talked about channeling her energy into things that truly excite her, rather than trying to conform to routines that feel dull.

That freedom has helped with:

• Family tasks and juggling responsibilities in a unique way.
• Using visuals and mnemonics to learn new skills.
• Experimenting with side projects that nourish her creative spark.

She accepts that she may not remember everything the same way others do, but she’s found tools that keep her feeling calm and capable. It’s a fantastic reminder that we all learn differently, and those differences can be our greatest strengths.

Key Takeaways

• Dyslexia can be discovered at any stage of life and still bring clarity.
• Focus on your gifts. Creative thinking often works best with supportive strategies.
• Short, repeated practice helps with learning music, words, or any new skill.
• Connecting with others opens the door to new perspectives and tips.

If you want to know more about using your dyslexia to your advantage, lowering anxiety, and finding your version of happy, check out this resource: The Confident Dyslexic.

Ready to hear every detail of Siobahn’s story? The podcast player is right at the top of this page. Hit play, settle in, and discover just how powerful dyslexia can be when you own it wholeheartedly.