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Many of the questions I get asked as a neurodiversity specialist come from business support and training providers.
They usually want to find out what they need to know about dyslexia and what they should be doing about it. Here is the information that I make sure they have:
- 1 in 5 entrepreneurs in the UK is dyslexic.
- The rate in the general population is 1 in 10.
- Dyslexic adults are particularly drawn to business careers.
- Schools under-recognise dyslexia and other neurological differences.
- Some business people will be unaware that they are dyslexic.
...and two helpful quotes...
Business Link London (2008) says:
“Dyslexia ...affects an individual’s ability to perform business tasks and processes. Despite this, it is also associated with creativity and business excellence, especially in the critical areas of creativity and lateral thinking.
Dyslexia is something that training and development organisations should be aware of and endeavour to accommodate. This can be in the form of simple dyslexia-specific guides, workshops and training information.”
Dyslexia is more than a literacy issue; it is a processing difference that affects the way all information is processed - written, visual and spoken - in terms of speed, attention paid and commitment to memory. This has to be taken into account when presenting information to this group, if you are going to improve your chances of your message being remembered and acted upon.
Further reading and references:
In Their Element: The Case for Investing in Dyslexic Entrepreneurs
Business Link London (2008) Dyslexia and Start-up Businesses
Jan Halfpenny writes, conducts research and trains organisations and individuals on dyslexia and business.
Research on dyslexic entrepreneurs: In Their Element: The Case for Investing in Dyslexic Entrepreneurs