Natalie Brooks founded Dyslexia in Adults from a personal need that she couldn’t find answers to. She was struggling at work, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of a fast-paced environment, and trying to balance the expectations of her role with her challenges as a dyslexic adult. While resources for children with dyslexia were abundant, she found little to support adults navigating the professional world. Initially, the idea behind Dyslexia in Adults was just to find a community that could understand her unique struggles, but it quickly became clear that there were many adults who shared similar challenges. As she began sharing her story online, she realized how much more could be done to create a space where dyslexic adults could find the help and support they needed to thrive at work.
At the heart of Dyslexia in Adults is the drive to provide resources, encouragement, and practical strategies to help dyslexic individuals overcome the barriers they face in professional settings. What started as an outlet for Natalie’s frustrations became a mission to help others understand how dyslexia can impact not only reading and writing but also memory, organization, and time management.
Overcoming Early Career Challenges
Natalie’s career struggles were not just related to the typical challenges associated with dyslexia, such as reading or writing. For her, the biggest challenge was understanding how dyslexia impacted her at work and realizing that the difficulties she faced weren’t her fault. Early in her career, she would attend meetings and receive verbal instructions from her boss, but by the time she returned to her desk, she’d forgotten crucial details of what had been discussed. Rather than asking for help or clarification, she would try to muddle through, often leading to mistakes and confusion.
This lack of understanding led to a lack of confidence. She often felt that she was “slow” or “bad at her job” because she couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced environment. But over time, through self-education and self-reflection, she began to see that the problem wasn’t with her ability but with the systems in place—and the lack of support and understanding of how dyslexia affects adults in the workplace.
Through her personal journey, Natalie realized that there was an urgent need for accessible resources for dyslexic adults in the workplace, which fueled her desire to create Dyslexia in Adults. She has since learned to reframe her own narrative, shifting from thinking of herself as “slow” or “incompetent” to recognizing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and that seeking help and accommodations is not only okay, but necessary for success.
Dyslexia & Workplace Challenges
One of the most significant challenges dyslexic adults face at work is working memory. This issue has a profound impact on their ability to complete everyday tasks. Dyslexic individuals may struggle to retain key information, leading to challenges in interviews, meetings, and written communication. During an interview, for instance, a dyslexic person may struggle to recall the questions being asked, making it difficult to formulate a clear response. Similarly, presenting in meetings requires juggling multiple tasks at once—such as remembering what to say, tracking what’s on the slides, and staying on topic—which can overwhelm the individual.
Email communication can also be a challenge. Dyslexic individuals often need to read and retain key details, structure responses, and ensure they have spelled everything correctly, all while trying to articulate their thoughts clearly. These challenges are not merely about forgetting things—they significantly shape the way dyslexic individuals approach and navigate their professional responsibilities.
Beyond these struggles, dyslexic individuals also face issues with organization and time management. Many people with dyslexia are highly creative and have big ideas, but they may struggle with the structure needed to bring those ideas to fruition. In fast-paced work environments, this can feel like an overwhelming burden.
Supporting Dyslexic Employees in the Workplace
Natalie believes that companies need to take a more proactive approach when it comes to supporting dyslexic employees. The key to creating a dyslexia-friendly workplace is simple: flexibility. Organizations that understand how dyslexia impacts their employees are more likely to implement changes that foster inclusivity and productivity for all.
For example, dyslexic employees often perform better when given time to process information in advance. If meetings include slides or agendas, sharing those materials beforehand gives dyslexic employees time to organize their thoughts and contribute meaningfully to the discussion. This doesn’t just benefit dyslexic employees—it benefits everyone, as it allows for more productive meetings with less time spent on reviewing materials.
Moreover, organizations need to recognize that support doesn’t always mean software or tools like spell check. Sometimes, the most effective accommodations come in the form of better communication. A dyslexic employee may need clear written follow-ups, or they might prefer submitting their input via voice memo rather than an email. These adjustments can make a significant difference in helping dyslexic employees feel more comfortable and empowered in their roles.
What If Dyslexia Was Easy? Campaign
One of Natalie’s proudest initiatives is the What if Dyslexia Was Easy? campaign, which she runs every October for Dyslexia Awareness Month. This campaign is aimed at raising awareness about dyslexia in professional settings and helping adults understand that the challenges they face at work can be addressed with the right strategies. The campaign features a series of live sessions, tutorials, workbooks, and articles designed to educate both dyslexic individuals and their employers. Through this initiative, Natalie provides actionable insights and resources to help dyslexic adults succeed at work, while also educating employers on how they can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.
The campaign is an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the practical aspects of living with dyslexia in the workplace. It also gives people a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges, share their experiences, and offer support. Through What if Dyslexia Was Easy?, Natalie hopes to not only raise awareness but also empower dyslexic individuals to take control of their careers and push for the changes they need.
Empowering Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is another critical focus for Natalie and Dyslexia in Adults. Many dyslexic professionals struggle with confidence and may feel like their challenges are insurmountable. The fear of being perceived as incompetent can be paralyzing, but Natalie teaches that self-advocacy is about focusing on solutions, not limitations. Reframing how we see ourselves can have a transformative impact.
Instead of viewing requests for accommodations as a sign of weakness, dyslexic individuals are encouraged to think of them as tools for success. For example, asking for voice-to-text software to respond to emails more quickly can be framed as a way to improve efficiency and deliver results faster—not as a way to “hide” the difficulties of dyslexia. By focusing on how accommodations will help both the individual and the employer, dyslexic professionals are more likely to find success in self-advocacy.
Building a Community of Support
Dyslexia in Adults is dedicated to creating a more inclusive work environment for dyslexic professionals. Central to this mission is a variety of resources designed to help individuals thrive in their careers. These offerings include free educational materials like blogs, podcasts, and social media content, along with more personalized support through paid programs. One of the key resources available is The Hive, a membership-based community that provides access to valuable tools, strategies, and a supportive network for dyslexic professionals. Within The Hive, members can find videos, articles, and live events that focus on workplace challenges such as time management, prioritization, and communication.
In addition to The Hive, Dyslexia in Adults also offers one-on-one coaching and various educational bootcamps, each focused on specific aspects of professional growth. By offering tailored strategies and fostering a sense of community, these services provide dyslexic individuals with the support they need to succeed in the workplace.
Future Vision & Impact
Looking ahead, Natalie sees a future where dyslexia is better understood and supported in the workplace. Over the next few years, she hopes to expand the reach of Dyslexia in Adults through partnerships with organizations and large companies, bringing dyslexia-specific training to a wider audience. She believes that as more companies implement these programs, workplaces will become more inclusive and accommodating, ensuring that dyslexic employees can reach their full potential.
Natalie also plans to continue running campaigns like What if Dyslexia Was Easy?, offering free educational resources to the dyslexic community. In addition, she aims to expand The Hive, offering a wider range of support and resources to better serve individuals and organizations. As awareness grows, so will the support structures that exist for dyslexic individuals in the workplace. Natalie’s ultimate goal is to continue shifting perceptions of dyslexia, helping employers create work environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive and contribute their unique skills and perspectives.
Self-Advocacy and Employer Responsibility
Natalie stresses that employers play a pivotal role in fostering a dyslexia-friendly work culture. While it may not be feasible for employers to become experts in dyslexia, they must remain open to listening to the needs of their dyslexic employees. It’s about being flexible and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their needs and challenges.
Self-advocacy is crucial for dyslexic individuals, and Natalie encourages them to focus on their strengths rather than their challenges. By framing requests for accommodations in a way that highlights their potential benefits for the employer, individuals can advocate for themselves in ways that are both professional and productive.
Next Steps for Dyslexia in Adults
With a clear vision for the future, Natalie plans to continue expanding the impact of Dyslexia in Adults. Through ongoing partnerships and educational initiatives, she aims to reach a wider audience, providing dyslexic professionals with the tools and resources they need to succeed. As society continues to embrace neurodiversity, Dyslexia in Adults will remain at the forefront of advocating for and supporting dyslexic individuals in the workplace.