Dyslexia in adults can sometimes be harder to spot than in children, but there are signs to look for. Here are common symptoms of dyslexia in adults:
Reading and writing
- Difficulty reading quickly or out loud
- Trouble understanding or summarizing written content
- Frequently losing place when reading or skipping lines
- Misspelling common words or mixing up letters (like “b” and “d”)
- Writing that’s disorganized or hard to follow
- Difficulty with grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure
Memory and organization
- Poor short-term memory (e.g., forgetting names, numbers, or instructions)
- Trouble organizing thoughts clearly
- Difficulty following a sequence of steps or instructions
- Often feels mentally “foggy” when processing lots of written or verbal info
Language and communication
- Mispronouncing words or using the wrong word that sounds similar
- Struggling to find the right word during conversation (word retrieval issues)
- Trouble learning a foreign language
Work and everyday life
- Avoiding reading or writing tasks
- Taking longer than others to complete written work
- Difficulty with time management or keeping track of appointments
- Anxiety or frustration related to reading, especially in public
Strengths often seen in adults with dyslexia
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- High creativity and imagination
- Great verbal or interpersonal communication
- Big-picture thinking and innovation
If you or someone you know is experiencing several of these symptoms, it might be worth seeking an evaluation from a psychologist or a learning specialist trained in adult dyslexia.
