As an adult, you may seek an assessment for several reasons. If you have long suspected dyslexia or another learning disability but were never formally tested, you can seek an initial assessment at any age. Steve Jobs, the electronics billionaire, and Steven Spielberg, the movie industry giant, both learned about their dyslexia in their 50s. Research tells us that 22 to 24% of dyslexics are also high-performing or compensatory learners who may manage to “fly under the radar” even into adulthood. It is never too late to be tested and get that missing piece of the puzzle.

 

Some people have been identified as dyslexic or as having another learning disability in early childhood or grade school. Although these disabilities are usually lifelong inherited conditions, a person’s abilities and performance may get better or worse over time due to any number of factors, such as learning coping skills or reaching a “ceiling.” This is the reason that most schools, especially colleges, require reassessment every few years. This type of assessment is called a re-certification. It covers the same testing but for the purpose of determining whether you still need accommodations related to your disability.

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Dyslexia or other learning disabilities can be a challenge on the job as well. At your place of employment, a representative of the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) can work with you regarding accommodations on the job when you present him or her with our full assessment report and accommodation recommendations. You might be surprised at some of the resources and accommodations for which you may qualify.

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After testing, if you are unemployed, you can take your DASA assessment report to DARS (The Department of Assistive Rehabilitative Services) for help with job training, textbooks, and job placement. In Texas, they are housed in Texas Workforce Commission buildings.