- Insights from Dr Sue Wilkinson
Dyslexia at Work: Understanding the Brain, Unlocking Potential
Dyslexia affects around 10% of employees...
Dyslexia affects around 10% of employees, yet it often goes unnoticed in the workplace, leading to unspoken frustrations and untapped talent. This Dyslexia Awareness Week, let’s move beyond myths and explore how the dyslexic brain works, identify everyday challenges, and implement proven, easy-to-apply strategies that unleash the full potential of our dyslexic colleagues.
What’s really happening in the brain?
Dyslexia is not a problem of intelligence or effort. It’s a neurodevelopmental difference in how the brain processes written language. Neuroimaging studies show that people with dyslexia tend to use different brain areas when they read. They often have lower activity in regions that help break words into sounds and recognize them quickly (e.g. the left parietotemporal region that is responsible for phonological decoding). To make up for this, they recruit frontal and right-hemisphere networks, using alternative strategies to process language.
Due to these differences, tasks that rely on decoding, sequencing, and working memory – like reading under time pressure or juggling several instructions – can feel more effortful. At the same time, this alternative neural pattern often goes hand in hand with strengths in big-picture thinking, spatial reasoning, and creative problem solving. The right-side networks of the brain specialise in spatial relationships, and the use of broader more distributed neural pathways can encourage flexible thinking.
The impact of dyslexia extends well beyond reading and writing. In workplace settings, it can lead to:
Slower processing speeds
Increased cognitive load when managing written or multi-step instructions
Difficulty with tasks that demand sustained attention to reading written texts
These challenges may contribute to frustration, reduced self-esteem, and avoidance of reading-intensive tasks, potentially affecting career performance and progression, and emotional wellbeing. Dyslexic individuals often develop compensatory strategies, such as relying more on auditory learning or using assistive technologies, to mitigate these barriers.
Workplace challenges: often invisible, but always important
In the workplace, common yet often hidden, challenges include:
- Note-taking in fast-paced meetings
- Processing lengthy instructions under tight deadlines
- Task sequencing and time management
- Multitasking and switching between formats (emails, documents, spreadsheets)
- Low confidence, fears around disclosure, and stigma
These hurdles can impact performance, wellbeing and career progression, yet many are readily addressed with easy to implement, targeted adjustments.
Evidence-based support strategies
Assistive technology
Tools such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text and mind-mapping apps reduce cognitive load and support accuracy. These solutions should improve task efficiency, decrease errors and boost confidence for dyslexic users.
Flexible interaction
Providing clear, bullet-pointed written summaries after meetings, using dyslexia-friendly fonts and coloured overlays, and allowing alternatives to written assignments (e.g. verbal reports) help dyslexic employees process information more effectively.
Task and environment design
Breaking complex tasks into sequenced steps; reducing distractions; offering flexible scheduling; and providing visual support such as diagrams or flowcharts strengthen executive functioning and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Strengths-based coaching
Coaching tailored to dyslexic strengths (strategic thinking, verbal reasoning, creativity) can enhance self-efficacy, job satisfaction and performance.
Building a neuroinclusive culture
Supporting dyslexic employees isn’t just about compliance—it’s about unlocking talent.
Inclusive workplaces:
- Embrace cognitive diversity as a business asset
- Embed adjustments into universal design, removing stigma
- Train managers in neurodiversity literacy
- Create psychologically safe spaces for disclosure and dialogue
Dyslexia is not a barrier to success - inaccessible environments are. By understanding the brain and applying proven strategies, we can create workplaces where dyslexic individuals thrive, contribute and lead. This Dyslexia Awareness Week, let’s move from awareness to action.
Start your neuroinclusive transformation today
Discover how Remtek Workplace’s assistive-technology solutions and support packages can transform your organisation into a neuroinclusive environment.
From tailored software integrations to bespoke coaching and training, Remtek Workplace helps you implement proven methods that empower dyslexic employees and optimise team performance.
Contact us today to explore our AT solutions and support packages.
Tel: 0333 3200 560