I Didn't Know I Was Dyslexic: Late Diagnosis and Finding the Tools That Help

For most of my life, I didn’t know I was dyslexic.

(And why is dyslexic such a hard word to spell?!)

I just thought I was bad at reading, slow at writing, and constantly struggling to find the words in my head I wanted to say. I always knew I was finding things harder than others, school felt like walking through mud while everyone else sprinted ahead. But no one ever said, “Maybe it’s dyslexia.”

In 2024, at age 26, I finally took matters into my own hands. I asked my employer if a dyslexia assessment was possible (they offered this support option). After years of frustration and overwhelm, I was finally diagnosed: I am dyslexic.

The Invisible Struggle

Looking back, the signs were always there:

• I avoided reading whenever I could
• Forget verbal instructions
• I dreaded tests and exams
• Poor handwriting (I still don't have a signature style for my handwriting)
• I’d mix up words, misread instructions, or forget what I’d just read - By the fourth reread of a sentence, I still didn’t know what it said but me and that line we’d definitely bonded emotionally
  
• Organising my thoughts felt like navigating a maze

Like many women and AFAB people, I masked. I developed workarounds, overcompensated, and blamed myself. It took burnout and deep self-reflection to realise this wasn’t laziness or a lack of intelligence, it was undiagnosed dyslexia.

The Quiet Grief of Being Missed

In school, I was placed in the lowest sets. I had 1:1 tutoring, got pulled from Spanish lessons for extra maths, and never once read for pleasure. I wanted to love reading, but it never felt accessible to me, I’ve always dreamed of reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the words have always felt just out of reach.

Looking back, I carry a quiet grief for the younger me who navigated education without the understanding or support she needed. My struggles were overlooked. I was told I wasn’t trying hard enough, when in reality, I was trying 200 times harder just to keep up. Reading, writing, focusing, understanding, it all took immense effort.

And yet, I still passed my GCSEs, went to college, and earned my university degree without the reasonable adjustments I deserved. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of. I often wonder how different my journey might have been with the right support, but now I honour that experience by speaking out, for myself, and for others who may still be searching for answers.

What Not to Say to Someone with Dyslexia (My Experience)

Some of the comments I've received over the years have stayed with me far longer than the people who said them probably realised. I've been called "slow." I've had people laugh at my orange screen overlay, saying my screen looked broken or joking that they could find me an old monitor instead. I've been halfway through following instructions only to hear, "Never mind, I'll do it myself," because I took too long or misunderstood what was being asked.

To some people, these might seem like throwaway comments or harmless jokes. To me, they weren't. They chipped away at my confidence and made me question myself. They made me feel like asking for the tools I needed or taking the time I needed was somehow an inconvenience.

The truth is, dyslexia isn't about a lack of intelligence or effort. My brain simply processes information differently. Sometimes I need instructions explained another way. Sometimes I need a little more time to read, write, or process what's in front of me. That doesn't make me less capable, it just means my journey to the same destination looks different.

What hurts the most is that many people don't realise the impact their words can have. Someone may already be working twice as hard just to keep up, whether they've been diagnosed with dyslexia or not. A dismissive comment, an impatient sigh, or a joke at their expense can stay with them for years.

If there's one thing I'd like people to take away from my experience, it's this: choose patience over frustration, understanding over assumptions, and encouragement over criticism. A few kind words can build someone's confidence, while a careless comment can quietly tear it down. We never truly know what someone else is battling behind the scenes, so let's create spaces where people feel supported instead of judged.

Getting Tested for Dyslexia (UK)

If you suspect you might be dyslexic, here are some steps you can take in the UK:

1. Speak to your GP or a Psychologist
   They may refer you for a formal assessment with an educational or specialist psychologist.
2. Seek a Private Assessment
   If NHS routes aren’t available, many opt for private testing (usually £300–£600). Look for a BDA-accredited provider.
3. Use Screening Tools
   Free online screeners (like those from Dyslexia Action or BDA) can provide an initial indication and help you decide if formal testing is right for you.
4. Ask Your Employer
   That’s what I did, and I’m so glad I did. If your workplace offers support, don’t be afraid to ask.

Tools That Help Me Thrive

Diagnosis (or even just awareness) can be empowering but tools make daily life easier too. These are some that I use and love:

Reading & Text Support:

• Text-to-speech tools (Speechify, NaturalReader, iPhone accessibility)
• Audiobooks (Audible, Spotify, Libby)
• Dyslexia-friendly fonts (OpenDyslexic, Lexend)

Writing & Communication:

• Grammarly or LanguageTool
• Voice typing/dictation (Google Docs, iPhone Notes, Otter.ai)
• Mind-mapping tools (MindMeister)

Organization:

• Colour-coded planners
• Task management apps (Notion, Trello, TickTick)
• Visual timers & checklists

Using Overlays for Visual Stress Relief

As part of my diagnosis journey, I completed a Visual Stress Test to see how coloured overlays affect my reading speed and comfort. Here were my results (30-second reading test):

• White: 78 words
• Orange Dull: 80 words
• Orange Shiny: 90 words

Even a small increase like this can make a big difference in focus and fatigue. I now use a shiny orange overlay when reading or working on my screen. It reduces visual stress, makes the text more stable, and helps prevent overwhelm. If you've ever felt like the words are “dancing” or “moving,” overlays might help you too.

Dyslexia Overlays and Visual Stress Starter Kit

Tips That Help Me Every Day

• Give yourself more time for writing, reading, or planning
• Break tasks into small, manageable steps
• Use colour, visuals, sticky notes
• Don’t be afraid to ask for support, accommodations aren’t weaknesses
• Talk about it, you’re not alone

You’re Not Broken

Dyslexia doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent. In fact, many of us are incredibly creative, deeply empathetic, and brilliant problem-solvers. We just process information differently and that’s not a flaw, we have our own unique ways of learning.

If you’ve spent your life thinking you’re “just bad with words,” I see you. It’s never too late to understand your brain and give it the support it deserves.

✨ You deserve ease. You deserve tools that work for you.
✨ You deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated, just as you are.
✨ You deserve to Bloom.

Visit the NeuroBloom Studio shop for neurodivergent-friendly tools and stationery designed to support you.