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CONTEXT

As you all know by now I was diagnosed with ADHD. It got me thinking about what other possible neurological differences I may have. 

So I researched the symptoms of the other neuro differences such as Autism, Dyslexia etc. Then I started flash backing my early childhood memories to see whether I could build a serious case. 

Upon my review, I had a strong conviction that it is Dyslexia. The symptoms I think I’ve displayed over the years are:

• Difficulty scanning/reading a page quickly 

• Having to reread a paragraph to digest the content

• Get confused when given several instructions at once

• Difficulty organising thoughts on paper

Difficulty scanning/reading a page quickly

At times I’ve struggled whizzing through sentences and other forms of written content (emails etc). Resulting to me having to read on a ‘word by word’ basis to ensure I don't miss something key within the written content.

Resulting in me having to spend more time reading something on what others may be able to do relatively straightforward

Having to reread a paragraph to digest the content

As a result of the above, I end up having to occasionally reread a paragraph because I haven't been able to grasp what I’ve read, especially when I’ve tried to whiz through the written content. It’s not all about speed after all.

Get confused when given several instructions at once

This one is a killer! My brain likes to keep things nice and simple. Hearing several instructions at once gives me the “What the F***” moment.

Difficulty organising thoughts on paper

If I want to explain something to a colleague via email, I sometimes end up freezing because the thoughts are not coming out the way I’d like it to.

Note that a lot of Dyslexia symptoms are similar to ADHD symptoms. As a matter of fact, a considerable portion of people with ADHD also experience difficulties associated with dyslexia.

It’ll be interesting to actually know what percentage of my neuro difference is ADHD and/or suspected Dyslexia if that’s possible.

As far as I was aware, I understood dyslexia to be someone's difficulty in spelling or getting numbers and letters mixed up… How ignorant!

My Early Childhood

It also dawned on me that I had never ever finished reading a book until I started university! I hated reading, funny how much I love reading now! I think I showed signs of being a  “dysfluent reader”

As far as I was aware growing up, my spelling was okay, I remember doing well in my school spelling tests. I assumed that if I could spell then I’m good. 

DEEP DIVE

Today we’re talking about my suspected Dyslexia and how I’ve managed it.

Although I am not officially diagnosed with Dyslexia, I’m pretty sure I have it, like how I was certain I had ADHD before I was diagnosed. I did a dyslexia screening test and it turns out that I’m likely to have it. 

I’ll probably do a formal assessment eventually.

Below are three things I’ve been doing for years to help me get by with my suspected Dyslexia. I’ve been doing these before the thought of me being dyslexic even came to being.

1. Started a book club

2. Mind Mapping/brainstorming

3. Track the sentence with a pencil

1) Started a book club

It all started with an Amazon voucher an uncle gave me as a birthday present. I didn't know what to do with it so I bought a Kindle. Little did I know this was going to have a big change in my attitude towards books.

Kindle books are generally cheaper than physical books, and so I used my university bursary to buy loads of Kindle books on Amazon and I just fell in love with reading ever since. 

Perhaps I felt guilty for not reading a single book for all those years! I would read on the way to lectures (during uni), on the commute to work, at times even miss my train and bus stops due to me being engrossed in the books. At my peak, I would read one book every two weeks! 

Almost 15 years later, I decided to rally a small group of friends to initiate a book club, where we read one book a month and take time to share our thoughts and learnings on it. This has also increased my motivation to read books that I’m not keen on (particularly fiction books, I love non-fiction).

The fact that I have a deadline to finish the books, incentivises and motivates me to get it done. In doing this: 

• I think my reading pace has increased

• My understanding and comprehension have improved

• Especially for concepts I’m either unfamiliar with or uninterested in

2) Mind Mapping/Brainstorms

I really discovered this during my Professional Accounting qualifications. It dawned on me that my highest grades at university were where I drew mind maps for my revision sessions.

So when I stumbled across a tricky exam, particularly the ‘wordy’ type, I would start brainstorming. It’s a hell of a daunting task, but so rewarding when finished.

I’m pretty sure I’m a visual person and learner, and being able to see everything on a one/two-page overview helps me 

• Digest the content

• Piece them up together

• Make sense of it 

• Recall the information faster

Work context:

In a work setting sometimes when attempting to respond to an email, the thoughts are not coming out in a written form the way I have it in my head. 

Brainstorming my thought process helps me get those thoughts into written content, making it understandable for the colleague.

3) Track the sentence with a pencil

If I’m not reading any content that I’m interested in, it’s gonna be difficult to 

• Get me started

• Concentrate

In reading books context:

I’ve found it tricky reading textbooks or various uninteresting chapters in books. One small trick I do is use a pencil to help me keep focus and track the sentences. It helps me:

• Concentrate 

• Read faster

• Digest what I’ve just read

I also annotate my pages with a pencil to further solidify my understanding of what I’ve just read.

In work context:

Emails: Unfortunately my colleagues and business partners sometimes send big emails which at times can feel overwhelming to read through it. 

I find that using my pen or the mouse cursor to follow the sentences helps me also stay focused on what I’m reading, enabling me to understand what’s being said and respond appropriately.

Final Thoughts

1) As I’m learning and discovering new things about myself, I’ve been questioning why I’m not in a role/career arguably congenial to my brain-wiring.

I look at someone like Richard Branson who is said to be Dyslexic and an ADHDer and I think to myself surely I can be super creative like him, especially if we have similar wiring!

2) If I proceed and do the formal assessment and it turns out that I am officially dyslexic, I’ll likely update my name to The DysADHD Exec!

Recap

1. Take time to assess your symptoms

2. Try going back into your early childhood to recall attitudes, behaviours

3. I’ll look to do the official Dyslexia assessment in the near future

Quote of the week

Lastly

Please help me spread the word and forward this to your neurodivergent friends!

Stay Different,

The ADHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.