Picture Elizabeth Tucci, 32, a rebel kid turned A2I Dyslexia founder, staring down a job she can’t crack—because no one spotted her dyslexia ‘til adulthood. Or Charlotte Edmonds, choreographer, juggling dance gigs with a brain that scrambles words. Or Elizabeth Arithian, filmmaker, bouncing through 20 jobs before forging her own path. On A2I’s “All Things Dyslexia” podcast, these fierce women unpack employment with dyslexia—raw, unfiltered, and close to my heart. I’m Laura Lurns—child psychologist, parenting coach, and neuroplasticity nerd—and their stories scream a truth: dyslexia’s chaos can fuel brilliance, but workplaces (and we) need to step up.
Diagnosis Drama: Timing Matters
Elizabeth T. was 32 when dyslexia hit her like a freight train—no quals, a trail of fights, pure chaos. Charlotte and Elizabeth A. got lucky—diagnosed at eight, thanks to sharp moms. Early tags opened doors: smaller classes for Charlotte, school swaps for Elizabeth A. But late or not, the sting’s the same—mental health scars, self-worth wobbles. I’ve seen it in therapy: undiagnosed kids rebel, diagnosed ones wrestle shame. Podcast gold? Early detection’s a lifeline—40-50% of prison inmates are dyslexic, 4 in 10 Jobcentre Plus users too. Time’s ticking.
Job Jumble: The Dyslexic Hustle
Charlotte’s dance world never asked, “You dyslexic?”—she proofread funding pitches, sweating typos, adrenaline pumping. Elizabeth A.’s 20 gigs—receptionist flops, till disasters—ended in tears and a pivot to nannying, then filmmaking. Me? I’ve coached dyslexics who’d rather quit than confess. Employment’s a minefield—20% of UK startup founders are dyslexic (Cass Business School, 2015), dodging rigid desks for spiderweb brains. Creative chaos thrives, but mundane tasks? Torture. Employers miss this spark, and dyslexics pay the price.
Author Quote“
Do I put food on the table, or do I go for that one-to-one support for that child?
”
Creative Cure: Strengths Unleashed
Move Beyond Words—Charlotte and Elizabeth A.’s brainchild—turns pain into art. Charlotte’s choreography, like Left from Right, moved Elizabeth A. to tears; Elizabeth T.’s A2I fights for kids like her younger self. A growth mindset flips the script: dyslexia’s not a flaw, it’s a teacher. I’ve seen it—problem-solving, hyperfocus, resilience shine when harnessed. Charlotte leans into dance, Elizabeth A. juggles eight projects—messy, yes, but magic. Workplaces that flex, not fix, unlock this goldmine.
Key Takeaways:
1
Early diagnosis cuts chaos—late ones breed rebels and scars.
2
Dyslexia flops in rigid jobs but fuels creative startups—20% of UK founders prove it.
3
Employers must ask, not assume; a growth mindset turns struggles into strengths.
Employer SOS: Open the Door
What’s the fix? Elizabeth A. nails it: check in, dig in, resource up. Employers—don’t wait for “I’m dyslexic”; ask about needs, offer space to spill. Move Beyond Words’ site dishes tools—grab them. For creatives, Charlotte says lean into love—dance, film, whatever lights you up—and build a crew. I’ve coached parents: a buddy beats isolation. Dyslexia’s not “four eyes”—it’s juggling genius with jumbled words. Employers who get this win; those who don’t lose talent.
Author Quote“
Learn to love the ditch you’re in—explore it, get inquisitive with it.
”
Own Your Edge: Focus Forward
The villain? Silence—Sarah’s shame, Jake’s slump, your hidden hustle. One in five adults can’t read well; don’t let your kid—or you—be next. You’re the first coach—embrace the ditch, dance with it, start now. Need a boost? My 5 Minute Reading Fix course sharpens focus fast—five minutes daily to tame the chaos and thrive. Click it—dyslexia’s not a dead end; it’s your superpower unleashed!
