The perception of Dyslexia, which they and the population in general have, is frequently negative. This is continually reinforced by their failure to conform to traditional standards of reading and writing.

For some people with Dyslexia, these ‘hang-ups’ prevent them from developing their true potential – we all know what they are, don’t we?

In short, DIFFICULTY with everything!

Many employers also perceive Dyslexia as a barrier, which excludes or condemns individuals from a window of opportunity. While we should not try to underestimate the problems, to see Dyslexia purely in these terms is to deny its positive attributes. The many successful Dyslexics, who work in industry, commerce, academia and entertainment, exploit such attributes.

So amongst both groups - people with Dyslexia and employers - attitudes need to be changed, if Dyslexia is ever to be recognised as a positive and creative force which can enhance both social and professional lives.

(If you look at the left of the picture you can see the young girl’s eye, look towards the middle of the bottom you can see the old lady’s chin)

The way we are perceived can mean the difference between obtaining employment and gaining promotion or not.

In industry the perception by the public, of a company or product, is vital to its marketing success. So to, is that of individuals in the employment market.

So who is responsible? Principally, it has to be ourselves. People’s perception of us is based upon how we communicate. In other words how we market ourselves.

Successful marketing is about getting the right product, to the right place, at the right time and at the right price. Substitute ‘person’ for ‘product’ and we have a strategy for gaining employment and achieving promotion.

In selling ourselves we must first – as with any good product – recognise our USP (unique selling point). People with Dyslexia are lucky. They have a whole host of unique skills and abilities waiting to be tapped.

Understanding your OWN pattern of Dyslexia is vital to the way forward. It means answering several questions:

The answers will both help in discovering your USP and in releasing the self-limiting beliefs which inhibit your real potential.

A simple ‘mission statement’ encompassing your key patterns, strengths and aspirations will help you focus yourself and lift the barriers and inhibitions implanted by our traditional educational system and society.

For those who have followed this path the rewards have been tremendous:

Peter is a marketing manager in a major international engineering company, using his spatial and visual way of thinking on a daily basis. His Dyslexia empowers him to think through complex strategies and systems quickly, work which would have taken a team weeks to complete.

John is now being recognised for his overview capabilities and different way of seeing things on a major assembly line, which makes him a valuable team player.

Dave’s intuitive and communication skills are giving him a distinct advantage when dealing with his Government Agency’s most difficult and complex clients.

Jean, working for a large multi national, can now implement her visual way of thinking when designing and planning for her company. It works because the organisation has a clear understanding of her Dyslexia and now uses auditory methods of communication that meet her identified needs.

All of these people work in an environment where the individual is accepted for their strengths, self worth and pride. Of equal importance to the Dyslexic, is to be aware of their weaknesses, and not let these inhibit the confidence their strengths provide.