Dyslexia in Adults
I am in the process of training a new starter in my job, however this is proving harder than it ever has been before.
From my observations I believe this worker to suffer from dyslexia, however I don't feel like they are perhaps aware of this. This thought comes from the fact they struggle with reversing numbers, spelling - even when spelt to them, large bodies of words, short term memory problems and awkwardness on the phone to people.
I have looked for tips online on how best to assist with this, however it's a fairly awkward subject to broach with them without causing offence.
Unfortunately we are in a job were time and precision are important - spelling mistakes cannot happen and with the public on the phone we are obviously on a small time frame.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing or some advice on where best to head with this. They are trying really hard and otherwise a good fit in the office, I just want to help them be able to stay!
From my observations I believe this worker to suffer from dyslexia, however I don't feel like they are perhaps aware of this. This thought comes from the fact they struggle with reversing numbers, spelling - even when spelt to them, large bodies of words, short term memory problems and awkwardness on the phone to people.
I have looked for tips online on how best to assist with this, however it's a fairly awkward subject to broach with them without causing offence.
Unfortunately we are in a job were time and precision are important - spelling mistakes cannot happen and with the public on the phone we are obviously on a small time frame.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing or some advice on where best to head with this. They are trying really hard and otherwise a good fit in the office, I just want to help them be able to stay!
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Comments
I'm dyslexic. i have a masters degree in physics from oxford. i have worked in offices, on trading floors, i even worked in mcdonald when i was at uni. i've never had any complaints about my management style.
the condition is not the same in all people.
what you are saying is akin i once knew someone who was left handed and he couldn't cook so i don't think, if this other person is left handed they would be able to cook either.
maybe the problem is his new boss thinks they are qualified to diagnose dyslexia and having done that is talking to them like they are an idiot?
maybe you are not very good at teaching?
if you bring up the subject of suggesting he is dyslexic, when he complains to HR, you will in trouble. not him. if he is dyslexic you are required to make reasonable accommodations. and if that means he takes longer for him to learn and you have to alter the way you do things then tough.
all dyslexia is not the same but for me i find it difficult to remember things that are arbitrary. i can't remember the difference between permeability and permittivity. or stigma and stamen. unless i remember that B pertains to magnetism as does permeability. and the stamen is the sperm producing part of a plant which is the part that goes away. and stay-away. so i either need a way of remembering like that. or i need to understand how something works.
i can remember phone numbers, pi to a large number of digits but not names and dates of birth. so i write them down. which would make me slower at certain tasks than other people, but i'm quicker at others. if i was having to do your job your way whilst you were waiting for me to write stuff down you might think i was stupid or slow. but i'm actually much much smarter than you.
i feel like a dick on the phone if i know i don't know what i'm talking about. if i do i'm fine. so that will come.
Maybe you shouldn't be quite so accusing with your post?
I'm not this person's boss, I merely said I was training them (the second person to try), and I'm not 'diagnosing' anything - it is a theory based on observations which might explain why this person is struggling more than anyone else. I'm trying to find ways to work WITH this condition, if it is in fact the case, rather than just dismiss them out of hand.
Rachael your comments were nearer the mark. My previous boss was dyslexic, he was open and upfront about it and whilst it meant I had to proof read any letters he sent, generally he coped well in an office environment - but like you say, there is no 'blue print' for it - everyone is affected differently.
It's hard, but it must be possible.
He talks to himself quite a bit though. I asked him why today as I dont mind but it can be a bit strange when clients come in and he's babbling away to himself. He says its easier for him to formulate his thoughts if he speaks them out loud.
Not much to add to the thread Im sorry, but I find the subject interesting as my son also has dyslexia.:)