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A dyslexia diagnosis can be scary for people. It’s pretty simple why: not only could it mean that you have to think about how your actual brain likely thrives in different ways and environments to other people’s, it also might have left you feeling more than a little lost when it comes to where to turn – are there people out there who can guide you through the process of finding out that you’ve got dyslexia, and help you get access to the accommodations you need to succeed?
The short answer is a resounding yes. The slightly longer answer is yes, and there’s loads and they can help you with different things depending on what you need, how old you are, and where you are in your dyslexia diagnosis process. However it might feel complex and daunting reaching out for help if you don’t know exactly who it is that can offer you what – so that’s why we’ve put together a simple list to help you get started in thinking about how to reach out.
Local Dyslexia Associations are a great source of help and support, whether you’ve just discovered you’ve got dyslexia or if you’ve been aware of it for some time and are looking for some extra guidance in some aspect of your life. They’re also a great source of information and resources, and in most cases they’re run by dedicated volunteers who have years of experience in dyslexia and neurodiversity support. Some may run in-person community groups that you can attend, of even have local dyslexia groups on social media. If you’re in the UK, The British Dyslexia Association Finder Tool can help you find your local Dyslexia Association; and if you’re in the US, you can find similar local support guidance via the IDA in Your Area portal.
National Dyslexia Associations are bigger organisations that operate more as resource banks, training providers and advocacy systems, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they aren’t places where you can find support. Some have dedicated phonelines or email addresses where you can talk to a trained professional who can help link you up with the people and the facts you need, but where these places really excel is the sheer amount of fact sheets and resources they have on offer. From seeking assistance in how to approach your workplace about the accommodations you’re entitled to exploring more about dyslexia, its history and how it can manifest and feel, they’re a great source of knowledge and understanding. Many also run events and conferences that bring together experts in the field so that professionals can develop their understandings of dyslexia too.
Social Media is another place where you’ll be able to find hundreds-if not thousands, if not tens of thousands- of people who are living with dyslexia just the same as you are, creating content and sharing their hacks, projects and lived experience for the community’s benefit. You can easily search most social media platforms for communities, influencers and accounts to follow, and it’s a great way of networking and expanding your professional circles as well as finding contacts and friends.
HR at Work can also help out if you think that there are things you need at work to help manage the effects dyslexia is having on your day-to-day. If you work for a bigger organisation, you might have a dedicated neurodiversity support department, but even if you work at a smaller company or can only access support at a regional level, Human Resources departments are going to be the best place to tell you how reasonable adjustments can be built into your work and liaise with managers on your behalf about developments to your role and duties. They’re also one of the best places to bring up teach solutions that you feel could help you, as they’ll likely have a good understanding of systems like the Access to Work grant in the UK, which can fund accommodations for workers and jobseekers. If you feel that HR aren’t able to support you in the way that you need, or if you feel like your dyslexia might not be being respected at work, you also have the option to reach out to trade unions, public advisory bodies, charities and advocacy platforms.
Schools and Educators are also an important resource, especially if you’re looking for support for a young person with dyslexia. Dependent on where you are in the world, your school, college or university could have dedicated professionals whose role it is to support learners with dyslexia and other learning differences, and help them navigate the accommodations system, and the day-to-day business of studying. Reach out via your school’s enquiries system or chat to class teachers to start a conversation, especially if you want to explore the possibility that your child has dyslexia and could benefit from learning support. Many universities also offer this, as well as have services where students work with a writer to take notes in the lecture so that they can focus on listening that can help them make sure they’ve got access to all the information it contains. It’s best to reach out to disability services or course co-ordinators in these institutions if they don’t have a dedicated dyslexia department, as they’ll be able to direct you to the right support for you.
Businesses and Assistive Tech Providers can also be important if you need a specific service, or want to engage with somebody or something that can really dig deeper into your dyslexia experience and offer advice and solutions on how to change it for the better. These spaces often have their own communities that thrive on a global level, and reaching out to them for a service or a product can often open the doors to large numbers of people via their social media platforms and business community. Buying a reading support isn't only going to provide you with a reading support, it can also unlock access to resources, expert professionals and whole communities of people who are experiencing the same things as you, so it's important not to ignore all the opportunities arising to engage.
Charities also occupy an important role in the dyslexia community. They can take a lot of forms and specialise in different areas of dyslexia, neurodiversity and support, and your local dyslexia association will likely have a good understanding of what kinds of support can be accessed from which charities if you’re feeling lost. These charities can have huge platforms, and they’re great resources not only for the events they hold and the learning opportunities they provide, but also as places where you can access training and development opportunities that can help professionals create better and more accessible futures. Large charity social media spaces- or even direct enquiries to charities themselves- are also good places to drop enquiries about mental health support that's dyslexia-friendly.
Community is an important part of the dyslexia experience for hundreds of thousands of people. Not only can a community provide support and guidance, it’s also a vital part of beating the isolation that dyslexia can sometimes make people feel, and being a part of something can really help foster better mental health.
Reach out to any of the platforms listed above if you’re feeling isolated or don’t know where to go next with your dyslexia diagnosis or the dyslexia diagnosis of somebody in your family. You can also drop us a line at info@succeedwithdyslexia.org if you’d like to know more about what kinds of resources we can direct you to and have on offer ourselves.
