Dyslexia in Adults: Education and Employment [Paperback]

"At last a truly valuable resource for all professionals working with adult dyslexics in the learning and work environment, experienced or not...this text is so user–friendly..." (Dyslexia Review. Autumn 2001)

"...Overall, the book proves accessible, academically rigorous and exceptionally engaging..." (British Journal of Educational Psychology)

"At last a truly valuable resource for all professionals working with adult dyslexics in the learning and work environment, experienced or not...this text is so user–friendly..." (Dyslexia Review. Autumn 2001) 

"…Overall, the book proves accessible, academically rigorous and exceptionally engaging…" (British Journal of Educational Psychology)

 

"..Overall, the book proves accessible, academically rigorous and exceptionally engaging.."

What is dyslexia and hown is it assessed in adults? What is the most appropriate training for those who work with dyslexic people?
This comprehensive guide is for professionals working with adults with dyslexia in the learning and working environment. It uses practical definitions and offers advice that can be understood by professionals and employers with little or no previous understanding of dyslexia.
Dyslexia in Adults: Education and Employment covers key aspects of learning in adults with dyslexia, including individual profiles, strengths and difficulties, the role of the tutor, course design, assessment and method of teaching, as well as providing a number of support strategies. Case studies highlights the needs of employers and dyslexic adults in the workplace and give examples of good practice.
An invaluable text for teachers and practitioners in the field of dyslexia, adults with dyslexia, employers, and educational and occupational psychologists.
"Adult dyslexics have long been misunderstood. Their considerable talents have often been unrecognized and unrealized. Fortunately all this is changing. With the help of this new book by Gavin Reid and Jane Kirk many will come to see that dealing with difficulties must be balanced by understanding talents." Thomas G. West, Visualisation Research Institute, US National Dyslexia Researc Foundation, and author of In the Mind′s Eye
"This book provides factual information for educators, employers and dyslexia adults themselves. The authors tell the truth about the depressing effects of unacknowledged dyslexia, challenging each of us to think in a different way. They send out a clear, strong message: listen to dyslexic people." Joanne Rule, Chief Executive, British Dyslexia Association
"In my opinion this authoritative and well–researched account should be recommended reading for anyone giving vocational guidance to clients with dyslexia or helping them deal with employment or training." Tim Edmonds of the Employment Service

Further and higher education, workplace training and employment can all provide opportunities to help adults with dyslexia develop their skills and fulfil their potential. This however presents considerable challenges to colleges, universities, vocational training providers, careers advisors, employers and those who work with employment agencies and provide employment services. It is important to ensure that those who are responsible for providing training, both academic and vocational, in the workplace and in educational establishments, are aware of the needs of dyslexic adults. Colleges and universities in particular need to take this into account in the development and review of courses, and particularly in the assessment criteria for academic and work related courses. Employers must consider the needs and appreciate the value of dyslexic people in the workforce. There is a great deal of evidence to support the view that dyslexic people can be a considerable asset to the workplace through their potential creativity, social skills and problem solving strategies.

It is the purpose of this book to highlight these needs and challenges and provide strategies and direction on how they can be met. The overriding theme of this book is that post school success is not entirely in the hands of the dyslexic individual, but is in fact the product of a combination of the dyslexic person's endeavours and the awareness of those in educational establishments and the workplace.

The first chapter of this book develops this theme and provides an explanation of dyslexia, the range of difficulties and strengths, the implications of these and how they relate to current research in the field.

The subsequent chapters examine key issues including assessment and particularly how the assessment can be linked to course design and workplace training. It is important that dyslexic adults are aware of the strategies and resources they can utilise. It is also important that self sufficiency in learning is encouraged and that a balance is provided between support and autonomy in learning. These issues are dealt with in the two chapters which follow assessment. These deal with course design, course delivery, training needs of staff and employers and the needs of the dyslexic person in the workplace.

In order for the above to be successful, college staff and employer training is vital, these aspects are dealt with in chapter five. There is a delicate balance between providing support and developing autonomy. This balance is acknowledged throughout this book and it is important that this is understood in training courses for further education and in workplace training. Unfortunately sometimes the right type of support is not available when needed and this can result in some dyslexic people becoming disaffected with the system, their difficulties and themselves. One of the chapters called 'disaffection, deviance and depression' may sound negative and gloomy but for some dyslexic people that is the reality of their situation. That particular chapter provides a message of prevention and support and is followed by one which highlights the positive aspects of dyslexia and in particular the global, holistic processing style of many dyslexic people.

There is also a chapter which provides an opportunity for dyslexic people to speak for themselves by describing the life and work of dyslexic adults in a variety of settings, showing how the strengths can be used to help overcome difficulties and additionally focussing on the need to achieve autonomy as well as informed advice.

Helping dyslexic adults is a shared responsibility and it is crucial that employers, managers and course tutors have an understanding of dyslexia, its characteristics and how it can affect individuals, their families and the community.

The book and in particular the first chapter, raises and deals with a number of topical issues. Some of these include the following:

* the use and indeed the misuse of labels
* links with school, further education and the workplace
* sources and support available for dyslexic adults both in further education and in the workplace
* The process of identification and assessment and the nature of the assessment
* The need for support to be work or course related
* The use of the term disability in relation to dyslexia
* The effect of the disability legislation in the U.K. and the United States
* The availability of a full assessment, particularly for those not attending further or higher education courses
* Issues relating to special allowances in academic, professional and employment examinations.
* Issues relating to special allowances in academic, professional and employment examinations.
* nature of the screening process, its' reliability and suitability
* nature of the additional support and tuition for adults with dyslexia both in college and in employment.
* issues relating to the use and perhaps the overuse of technology as a means of overcoming the dyslexic difficulty
* the need to view the dyslexic person in a holistic way therefore appreciating the self concept and counselling needs of the person as well as the actual dyslexic difficulties
* need to enhance the awareness of employers
* the importance of contextualising the assessment to meet the needs of the dyslexic person as a student or an employee.
* The need to indicate clearly in feedback to people with dyslexia exactly how the dyslexic difficulties will effect them in their study or work
* the importance of identifying the dyslexic person's learning style and to provide feedback on the most effective means of processing information for that person
* the need to initiate informed, consistent and accredited training for all individuals involved in dealing with dyslexic people irrespective of the extent or level of their contact.

All the issues mentioned are of importance. Communication and enhanced awareness of dyslexia among professionals is of overriding importance as this can have an impact on the quality and provision of services for dyslexic people. The training of professionals involved with dyslexic people is also vital as it is through training and awareness that staff in colleges, employers and work related personnel can develop an understanding of dyslexia and of the needs of dyslexic individuals.

Concluding comment

This book has arisen from a need - the need for all adults with dyslexia to be respected and their rights recognised. Legislation and even litigation can only lay a foundation. If effective practices are to emerge resources need to be provided, attitudes need to change and information needs to be available.

There are many promising areas of progress both in employment and education due to the energies and insights of individuals and groups from independent and voluntary organisations, government services, colleges and universities and dyslexic adults themselves.

The purpose of this book is to highlight these areas and ensure the benefits are known to all.

Despite this progress, the field of dyslexia is still riddled with controversy, conflict and confusion. This book identifies many of these issues and attempts to deal with these in a manner which can be helpful to professionals and adults with dyslexia.

The need for this book has arisen from our experiences. These experiences include assessing and providing support for adults with dyslexia in employment, unemployment and those undertaking study, discussing the needs of employers and government employment agencies, working co-operatively with independent and voluntary organisations, liaison with schools and training organisations and research activities which identified the widespread nature of these issues and needs in the U.K. and the U.S.A. and indeed in many other countries. We have found these issues are of world wide significance. We hope that this book will impact on the practices and the perceptions of professionals dealing with dyslexia throughout the world.

What is dyslexia and hown is it assessed in adults? What is the most appropriate training for those who work with dyslexic people?
This comprehensive guide is for professionals working with adults with dyslexia in the learning and working environment. It uses practical definitions and offers advice that can be understood by professionals and employers with little or no previous understanding of dyslexia.
Dyslexia in Adults: Education and Employment covers key aspects of learning in adults with dyslexia, including individual profiles, strengths and difficulties, the role of the tutor, course design, assessment and method of teaching, as well as providing a number of support strategies. Case studies highlights the needs of employers and dyslexic adults in the workplace and give examples of good practice.
An invaluable text for teachers and practitioners in the field of dyslexia, adults with dyslexia, employers, and educational and occupational psychologists.
"Adult dyslexics have long been misunderstood. Their considerable talents have often been unrecognized and unrealized. Fortunately all this is changing. With the help of this new book by Gavin Reid and Jane Kirk many will come to see that dealing with difficulties must be balanced by understanding talents." Thomas G. West, Visualisation Research Institute, US National Dyslexia Researc Foundation, and author of In the Mind′s Eye
"This book provides factual information for educators, employers and dyslexia adults themselves. The authors tell the truth about the depressing effects of unacknowledged dyslexia, challenging each of us to think in a different way. They send out a clear, strong message: listen to dyslexic people." Joanne Rule, Chief Executive, British Dyslexia Association
"In my opinion this authoritative and well–researched account should be recommended reading for anyone giving vocational guidance to clients with dyslexia or helping them deal with employment or training." Tim Edmonds of the Employment Service

Gavin Reid is held in high esteem within the Dyslexia field, and is especially noted for his ability to translate theory and research into accessible practice-orientated material. He is the author of the bestselling Dyslexia: A Practitioner's Handbook: 2nd edition.