Health experts share how people can help young professionals with dyslexia at the workplace

For a generation of Indians the first introduction to dyslexia came through Aamir Khanrsquos Taare Zameen Par 2007 A young Ishaan Avasthi imagines letters and numbers flying off the blackboard crawling out of notebooks theyrsquore out to get him ldquoMany parents took interest in learning more about dyslexia in the years that followed the filmrdquo recalls special educator and mental health professional Kashmira KakaliaSpeechtotext apps can help individuals draft messages easilyThis Dyslexia Awareness Week we wondered how Ishanrsquos life would have unfolded after the credits rolled Did he go to college or join the great job hunt on LinkedIn Were his coworkers as accommodating as his dear art teacherUnderstanding the gapKakalia who has decades of experience working in mental health and education stresses on the importance of early diagnosis With the Right to Educationrsquos nodetention policy that promotes students through early academic years students scrape their way throughHighlighting sections helps those with dyslexia read longer textsldquoWhile high schools and colleges have provisions for those with learning disabilities workplaces remain desensitised When an individual ultimately steps into the workforce these underlying issues become apparent and overwhelmingrdquo Kakalia sharesSigns in young adults include but are not limited togtgt Difficulty reading and writing clearlygtgt Poor time managementgtgt Avoiding public speakinggtgt Trouble understanding multistep instructionsKashmira KakaliaWork it outThe expert shares how an employer or a coworker can make the workplace a better place for individuals with dyslexiaTech aids Employees can be allowed to use speechtotext tools that help transcribe their thoughts without the fear of spelling words correctlyCompartmentalise Break down instructions into smaller blocks and donrsquot convolute processesMake time Share details about meetings and events earlier than usualWrite clearer Colour code text material share important sections in bold format or highlight specificsMausam ShahSensitise your workplaceCounselling psychologist Mausam Shah who conducts corporate training as part of her practice shares a handbook for workshops in workplaces An ideal seminar should take a threestep method Awareness empathy and practical behavioural changegtgt Create a simple segment around the basics of dyslexia dyscalculia and dysgraphiagtgt Start by busting myths around inclusion Remind managers and teammates that making accommodations does not mean they are lowering expectationsgtgt Language training matters Redflag phrases include Yoursquore overthinking this Itrsquos a simple email Yoursquore slowing the team down You need to pay more attentiongtgt Remind managers about terms of disclosure and confidentiality An individual might not always feel comfortable sharing about dyslexia When it happens managers must maintain confidentiality and share feedback privatelyA positive environment can help ease anxieties around this learning disability REPRESENTATION PICSISTOCKWhere to find helpGiven the variation in early signs and the stigma around dyslexia individuals might remain undiagnosed for years Kakalia shares If you or a loved one is experiencing this condition get a learning disability assessment Some of the institutions in Mumbai that provide it aregtgt Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital Sion gtgt BYL Nair Hospital Mumbai Central gtgt KEM Hospital Parel gtgt Maharashtra Dyslexia Association Deonar The most important step Kakalia reminds us is to be patient and provide confidence through emotional support Dyslexia is neither a measure of onersquos intelligence nor a reflection of onersquos commitment to work