The Best Way To Learn With Dyslexia

Welcome to another blog post about the ups and downs of adult dyslexia. It’s easy to find cute animal illustrations and phonics tips for kids, but what about us grown-ups? In this latest episode of the Truth About Dyslexia, we chat about how dyslexia still affects learning at work and what you can do about it.

We explore practical strategies, mindset shifts, and some unexpected tools that might be more useful than you'd think. By the end, you’ll realise there’s a lot less pressure to be perfect, and a lot more opportunity to embrace how your dyslexic mind operates.

Why Adult Dyslexia Needs Its Own Approach

If you’ve been through the typical school system, you might recall colourful alphabet posters, phonics songs, and “fun” flashcards. As an adult, that style quickly loses its charm. It can be awkward if your colleague sees your phone plastered with cartoon animals supposed to help with spelling.

It’s also not just about spelling or reading speed. Dyslexia can affect organisation skills, memory, and your ability to juggle tasks. Work expects you to jump between emails, phone calls, and client meetings without missing a beat. We’re told to “work smarter,” but dyslexia doesn’t always play by the same rules. It is simply a different way of thinking.

“Some of these old approaches make me feel like I’m five again. Where’s the grown-up version?” — Stephen Martin

Tools That Actually Help

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. We ventured beyond picture cards and found a few modern, adult-friendly solutions. Here are some options that stood out:

• Text-to-speech Apps: Turn emails or documents into audio and listen on the go.
• Voice Notes: Jot down ideas verbally rather than typing everything out.
• Project Management Tools: Visual planners that map out tasks in a simpler format.
• Focus Timers: Break your work into small chunks to avoid overwhelm.

Unlike the school days, these tools mostly blend right into your daily routine. It’s less about running away from your learning style and more about finding ways to make your style work for you.

Breaking the Shame Barrier

One of the toughest parts of dyslexia in adulthood is feeling like you can’t admit it. You might worry people will judge you if you misread a word or mix up letters. That fear can lead to more mistakes because you spend energy trying to hide something that’s actually quite normal.

The reality is many workplaces are far more open than they used to be. And if they aren’t, there’s good reason to start that conversation. Dyslexia comes with unique strengths, like creativity or big-picture thinking. When you own your dyslexia, you can show these talents off without apology.

If someone spots you using a text-to-speech app or special note-taking method, you can lean into it. Own your way of working. A little honesty can pave the way for better teamwork and a lot less stress.

Practical Strategies For The Workplace

Handling dyslexia at work can feel overwhelming. Here’s a glimpse of what might help:

• Draft First, Edit Later: Write emails or reports without turning on your internal critic. Then revisit them for clarity.
• Ask For Visuals: When someone explains a new process, request a simple flowchart. Visual aids can tie things together quickly.
• Use Calendar Reminders: Rely on technology to remember meeting times or deadlines. Don’t let your brain lose track of appointments.
• Create Mnemonics: Turn difficult words or sequences into catchy phrases. It’s silly but it works.
• Leverage Colleagues’ Strengths: If a teammate is great at proofing documents, pair up and help each other out.

These steps are small but they add up. The key is to experiment. You can’t know what helps until you test it in real time.

Looking Ahead With Confidence

Dyslexia might not vanish once you hit 18, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. The strategies you adopt as an adult can morph as your career unfolds. Maybe you switch from text-to-speech to mind-mapping software, or perhaps you simply get braver about speaking up in meetings. The point is, you have options.

We dive deeper into each strategy in the full episode. It’s honest, occasionally funny, and hopefully a breath of relief if you’ve been feeling isolated. You’ll hear how others have navigated the workplace, and how some of these trickier sticking points can become easier with the right approach.

• Recognise that adult dyslexia looks different from childhood dyslexia.
• Experiment with modern tools that streamline reading and writing tasks.
• Practice open communication with your boss or team to reduce stigma.
• Remember the power of small steps and consistent tweaking of your system.

Ready to learn more? Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page to hear the full conversation. Your dyslexia isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you have to tackle it alone.