Can you be dyslexic but also good at spelling, etc.

hideous ape

I definitely have noticed my brain is wired differently to nearly everyone I know.

I can spell most new words just hearing them spoken...better than most of my friends some of which were physics geeks. I have no problem with language or writing but I never read books because I forget what I just read so quickly. The problem is I seem to have very little "short term memory" so if someone tells me a phone number or gives me directions it just does not register. I could ask them to repeat it 5 times and it will not register. I seem to get sensory overload very easily from certain information and my brain just seems to stall. Maths is an area I just don't get...I can't even store two basic numbers in my head to even begin the calculation...I just seem to use all my concentration just to keep the two numbers stored, as soon as I try to work out the sum the numbers go and I would have to ask the person to repeat them again. I do have major difficulty taking in written information so if the information is all over the place I get really confused and find it impossible to focus even though intellectually I know its still a numbered list???

I have started having problems at work cause I was moved into a new area and have to learn my new workload which is proving very stressful...nearly quit my job on monday cause the stress just kept building and I am under pressure to increase my workload...one of my workmates gave me the impression he thinks I'm retarded for not been able to understand the "clear" information on the system.

I have known a few dyslexic people but they were always jumbling up words or misreading sentences...I seem to have a different type?

mink_man

sey

LegacyUser

if its a big problem with numbers you may have Dyscalculia, rather than Dyslexia.
i have dyslexia and find remebering names and directions difficult but i am ok with maths, i do not know much about dyscalculia but i think there would be similar symptoms.
although dyslexic i am generally good at spelling and good at spelling words i do not know.

http://www.clubi.ie/dyslexia/dyscalc.html

this could help, along with Dyslexia.ie

raemie21

Well my understanding of dyslexia is that literacy skills i.e. reading and spelling are below what would be expected for one's cognitive ability. In other words, it's a specific learning difficulty.

Dyscalculia is something that popped into my head as I was reading your post but you mention you have difficulty with working memory - being able to hold a problem in your head long enough to process it and solve it for maths is different say to spelling a word.

It you felt it was helpful, you could ask your GP if they know of a psychologist that works with adults for a cognitive assessment? They would point you in the right direction regarding your difficulties and how to utilise your strengths more. If work is too stressful, then you need to find alternative ways to deal with the information and to cope better, preferably tapping into things that you're good at.

Also, you're right about the sensory processing and we all have our quirks e.g. I couldn't maintain my attention for our two hour meeting and used completely tune out after 30mins feeling really restless. So now I make myself take notes as every person speaks - kinda useless in terms of the information gathering but at least it's a way of looking interested in my colleagues&then when it my turn to speak, i'm on the ball. Meh, we all have to figure out our fortes - the important thing is to actually figure them out!

Nevyn

mink_man not funny and not helpful
Unhelpful and off-topic posting will get you banned from this forum.
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Have a nice day.
Thaedydal

sam34

have you considered having a professional assess you and make a diagnosis, rather than comparing yourself to others and asking randomers on the internet for advice?

hideous ape

sam34 wrote: »

have you considered having a professional assess you and make a diagnosis, rather than comparing yourself to others and asking randomers on the internet for advice?

Where do you go or what do you ask for?

I haven't been to a doctor in ten years...so I wouldn't be the most clued in when it comes to this stuff.

Also isn't the purpose of this very forum to ask "randomers on the internet for advice"...if someone gains some useful information from another boardsie isn't that helpful!

My name is URL

It could be a form of Dyspraxia, which is similar to Dyslexia.

It's a very understated condition. It definitely affects short-term memory, but also motor skills, do you notice any difficulty in that area?

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/ad_symptoms.php

sam34

hideous ape wrote: »

Where do you go or what do you ask for?

I haven't been to a doctor in ten years...so I wouldn't be the most clued in when it comes to this stuff.

Also isn't the purpose of this very forum to ask "randomers on the internet for advice"...if someone gains some useful information from another boardsie isn't that helpful!

a GP would be a good starting point. they could refer onwards if indicated.

i know this forum is for advice, and i have used it for that myself. however, i dont think it is sensible to be asking for advice on an issue such as this, which is essentially a medical issue, and to be coming up with diagnises based on what randomers post.

hideous ape

My name is URL wrote: »

It could be a form of Dyspraxia, which is similar to Dyslexia.

It's a very understated condition. It definitrly affects short-term memory, but also motor skills, do you notice any difficulty in that area?

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/ad_symptoms.php

No I've always been a decent footballer...which is kind of why I posted originally. We are given the classic dyslexic person, I have two friends that fit that profile exactly. I noticed I had problems since I was around 12 years old. It was at that point I noticed I had problems taking in information but as I seemed fine with spelling and writing I just assumed I was a bit slow but reasonably intelligent at the same time...which makes no sense. I can understand some of the most complex ideas without effort but ask me to add 27 and 35 or follow a list of information on a screen and my brain packs its bags and heads for the nearest bar.

hideous ape

sam34 wrote: »

a GP would be a good starting point. they could refer onwards if indicated.

i know this forum is for advice, and i have used it for that myself. however, i dont think it is sensible to be asking for advice on an issue such as this, which is essentially a medical issue, and to be coming up with diagnises based on what randomers post.

You have to bare in mind I am a typical 1970s Irish male...we talk to no one, we ask no one for advice...the internet allows most of us to ask questions that we would never ask our closest friends.

spurious

There are lots of different sorts of 'disabilities'.
I taught a guy once could spell any word you wanted using his voice, but when he tried to write the same word, somewhere in the wiring between his brain and his hand it all went wonky.

The first place to start with, if it's bothering you, would be a full assessment.

sam34

hideous ape wrote: »

You have to bare in mind I am a typical 1970s Irish male...we talk to no one, we ask no one for advice...the internet allows most of us to ask questions that we would never ask our closest friends.

the problem is that those who answer on the internet may not be qualified to give advice on issues such as yours.

GPs will have heard it all before, you shouldnt be nervous going in to talk to them about this.

hideous ape

Right I guess I'll go to the doctors and see what the story is...this has been bugging me a lot in recent years but I'm from a background where not even the flu was reason to visit a doctor. An arm or leg, if not both, had to be about to fall off to warrant that. Thanks for the info.

My name is URL

hideous ape wrote: »

Right I guess I'll go to the doctors and see what the story is...this has been bugging me a lot in recent years but I'm from a background where not even the flu was reason to visit a doctor. An arm or leg, if not both, had to be about to fall off to warrant that. Thanks for the info.

A Flu doesn't weigh to heavily on a man's mind. If its something that you're thinking about alot its best to see someone that can put you at ease and provide some closure for you. Not because of the condition itself, but because of the worry that comes from not knowing.