3 Women On Managing Dyslexia As An Adult

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of eight. Being diagnosed gave me an explanation for my academic struggles but it also led to feelings of inadequacy. I vividly remember being pulled out of class for extra learning lessons and feeling uncomfortable about being singled out. No one else in my year had dyslexia – or at least, none had been diagnosed – so I often felt inadequate. Growing up in an academically focused environment, where success was predominantly measured by grades, I often found the pressure overwhelming. Activities like sports and drama weren’t valued in the same way as academic achievements, though I like to think that has changed over time.

Dyslexia is often mistaken for carelessness. Early in my career – before tools like Grammarly existed – I had a manager who wasn’t sympathetic to learning difficulties. In her eyes, spelling mistakes or misreadings in emails were seen as a lack of competence. She made me copy her into every email I sent, which chipped away at my confidence. Now, I rely on tools like screen readers and text-to-speech software to listen to important emails or documents rather than just reading them. Hearing the words out loud helps me catch errors I might otherwise miss. Spell checkers like Grammarly are absolute lifesavers too. 

The daily challenges of dyslexia aren’t always visible. I often have to re-read things multiple times, especially when it comes to important emails – even a single word out of context can completely change the meaning. That said, I’ve learned to navigate the world with humour and self-awareness. Once, I sent a carefully crafted message to a love interest, only for my friend – who proofread it first – to joke that she’d added a few typos so he’d know it was from me.

In high-pressure situations, I’m more prone to making mistakes. There’s a reason why exam boards grant extra time to students with dyslexia – it allows for better accuracy and comprehension. Unfortunately, that same consideration doesn’t carry over into the corporate world. Over the years, I’ve learned not to take criticism of my writing too personally and to remind people that misreading or misspelling a word is part of being human.

I’ve come to embrace the strengths dyslexia brings. As a young adult, dyslexia impacted my self-confidence. I worked hard to mask my struggles, fearing someone would ‘find me out’ – imposter syndrome was a constant weight. But as I’ve grown in self-awareness, I’m now more open about how my brain works, and I celebrate the creative thinking and problem-solving abilities it gives me. Looking back, I see how dyslexia has shaped my life in both frustrating and empowering ways. 

Daily tasks can be exhausting. I frequently misread words, mix up similar-looking ones (like form and from) and struggle with dense text. I also have ADHD, and struggle with visual processing. I can’t read maps well, mix up left and right, and even following GPS instructions can be tricky. My dyslexia and ADHD also make it hard to estimate how long tasks will take – I start many projects but struggle to finish them. To manage these situations, I use voice notes instead of writing, colour-coded planners and assistive technology. When faced with a large project, I break it down with a Pomodoro timer. 

Dyslexia affects relationships in unexpected ways. For example, explaining dyslexia to a romantic partner can be daunting but I’ve learned the right person will be patient. My partner knows I prefer voice messages over texts, and that I sometimes need extra time to process information. 

As a business founder, I now lean into my strengths. I used to work for the NHS and felt ashamed of my spelling and grammar difficulties, dreading report writing. But I’ve learned my dyslexic brain offers big-picture thinking – I often see connections others might miss – and creative problem solving, as I approach challenges from fresh angles. One of my strengths is thinking quickly and expressing ideas clearly in conversation, but getting thoughts onto paper can be challenging, so I use voice-to-text apps to bridge the gap. 

People with dyslexia aren’t lazy or incapable – we just think differently. It’s not a flaw, but a unique way of processing the world. Traditional learning and work environments aren’t built for neurodiverse individuals, but that doesn’t mean we’re less capable. With the right support and understanding, dyslexic women can thrive in ways that go far beyond expectations.

Dyslexia is part of my life now. I was diagnosed when I was 13, and while at first I felt embarrassed, there was relief too. It explained why I struggled with things that seemed easy for my friends. Now, at 33, I’m far less shy about my dyslexia than I used to be. It’s not something I feel awkward about – it’s just part of who I am. I also think it naturally makes you a hard worker – because you’ve had to always work a little harder than everyone else. 

Beyond reading and writing, dyslexia affects my ability to stay focused and remember things. I get easily distracted, and if I have too much going on, I forget things quickly. This constant mental juggling act can be overwhelming. People often assume that working at a slower pace means you’re forgetful or stressed, but in reality there’s just a lot happening in my head as I try to piece everything together.

To stay organised, I rely on lists. In important meetings, I’ll jot down notes in shorthand to come back to later. In my personal life, I’m always keeping to-do lists on my phone. It helps me prioritise things and not get too overwhelmed, especially when distractions pop up. 

I want to challenge the idea that dyslexia has anything to do with intelligence. Thanks to social media, we can now showcase different types of intelligence: being bright isn’t just about spelling or reading; it’s about creativity, problem-solving and resilience.

And now, Laura Gowers – founder of This Is Dyslexia – shares her advice…

Seek Support

Dyslexia can manifest in subtle ways, and many women develop coping strategies that mask their struggles. If you find reading difficult, frequently misplace things or struggle to follow written instructions, consider seeking an assessment. A diagnosis can help you access the right support. If past struggles at school have impacted your confidence, take small steps to rebuild it. Challenge negative self-talk by celebrating achievements, practise speaking up in low-stakes settings, and reframe past experiences as proof of resilience rather than failure.

Use Your Diagnosis To Your Advantage

A dyslexia diagnosis can be empowering. Use it as a tool to advocate for yourself at work or in education. Share your needs with employers, request reasonable accommodations, and connect with others who have similar experiences. Confidence begins with self-awareness. When discussing dyslexia with an employer, highlight your strengths and skills; explain your challenges and suggest specific solutions; and request tools or adjustments that might enhance your productivity. 

Be Proactive

Not all workplaces are dyslexia-friendly, so take the lead in advocating for change. If needed, reach out to HR about workplace adjustments and familiarise yourself with your rights under disability inclusion laws.

Optimise Your Work Set-Up

Set yourself up for success with practical accommodations such as: using text-to-speech, screen readers, dyslexic-friendly fonts and coloured filters on screens; creating templates for repetitive tasks; using colour-coded notes for organisation; requesting meeting agendas in advance; and taking short breaks to maintain focus. These small changes can significantly improve efficiency and reduce stress.

Explore AI

Common coping strategies include avoiding new tasks, relying on routines and using verbal skills to compensate for written struggles. Instead of masking difficulties, explore supportive tools and strategies that genuinely ease challenges. New technology is making life easier for dyslexic women. Try Grammarly  and Hemingway  for clearer writing; Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai for automatic meeting notes; and BeeLine Reader to improve reading ease. 

Visit NEURODIVERSITYUNRAVELLED.COM  & THISISDYSLEXIA.CO.UK