Diagnosing Dyslexia Is Easy -

Then Why Are There So Many Undiagnosed Dyslexic Adults?

Aproximately one in ten of the general population has one or more of the many different types of dyslexia, in some degree. For that portion of the adult population that is over 25-30 years old, estimates are that 95% of those with some form of dyslexia are unaware it.

How could this be? Especially when you consider the ease and availability of modern dyslexia testing! Diagnosing dyslexia is not difficult. Finding and helping these "closet dyslexics" should be easy!

To understand why it is not easy, we must examine the recent history of dyslexia. Most of the research that led to our understanding of dyslexia today took place in the last 25 years. Up until about 15 years ago, dyslexia was generally not understood and not recognized. It is only in the last 10-12 years that regular dyslexia screening of school-age children has become common.

Dyslexics who went through the school systems ealier, had to deal with their problems on their own. Very few were understood. Most were branded as slow learners, lazy, or a bit dense. Most were very much embarrassed that they did not learn things easily or the same way as did the other kids. They usually did their best to hide their differences.

Most developed habits to help hide their disabilities. They refrained from reading, avoided getting into situations where reading and dealing with written words would be required. Most came out of their educational experiences with mental scars, some type of lower self esteem; problems that a diagnosis of dyslexia would have avoided.

This persisted as they grew into adults. They hid their differences, sought jobs, often beneath their general abilities, to avoid tasks that their dyslexia would make difficult. They went about their lives without being tested for dyslexia. If they had been tested, that would have put them on the path to overcoming such limitations.

Today's dyslexic adults finished grade school and high school before educators started looking for and diagnosing dyslexia. And since then, there has been almost no program to find them, get them tested and diagnosed. No starting point to get around any deficiencies they might have had or let them enjoy the benefits of learning. Learning to do the kinds of things that others could do but they could not without being taught the way they needed to be taught.

Many adult dyslexics learned of their condition only after their children received a diagnosis of dyslexia. The education and medical professionals involved, knowing that there is a genetic link, urged dyslexia testing for the entire family. And one or more parents were found to be dyslexic.

So that is why there are so many adult dyslexics. Dyslexics who are unaware that the reasons for the problems that they hide, that they have lived with for years, are caused by dyslexia. If you or anyone you know exhibits any of the symptoms of dyslexia, please urge them to take an adult dyslexia test.

Once tested, if they are found to be dyslexic, they can be helped. They can be taught the ways that dyslexics can learn to do practically anything that anyone else can do. It will open up a whole new life for them, full of rich possibilities they always thought were beyond their reach.

Diagnosing dyslexia can open the doors to the positive side of the condition, the "gift of dyslexia". There are many famous people with dyslexia, including Albert Einstein, Sir Charles Branson, entrepreneur, Cher, singer and actress, Anderson Cooper, American journalist and Tom Cruise, actor.

Dyslexics see things differently. If they get tested and find out that they are dyslexic, then the problems can be overcome. That different way of seeing things can help them succeed in areas like the arts, architecture, theater and anywhere the ability to see things differently, see the overall picture, gives them an advantage.

For more information about diagnosing dyslexia, dyslexia testing and adult dyslexia tests, follow the links below...

For more detailed information about dyslexia, its symptoms and how to test for it, visit: Diagnosing Dyslexia - Possible Key to a Whole New Life
For information about adult dyslexia testing (that you can do from anywhere), visit: Dyslexia Testing

Jorge G. Chavez is a writer, researcher and medical/technical analyst.