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Original poster

Dyslexia and Careers

43 replies

Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:39

Do you have dyslexia and if so what career/ job do you have?
My child is extremely dyslexic, processing quite slow/ mixed up.
Can't cram, needs lots of short bursts for revision.
Probably will be passes at gcse level but only 4 and then maybe 2 A levels, probably grade C.

I am worried about what he can do as a job or career. His grades don't actually reflect how hard he works or his aptitude. In maths for example he frequently answers correctly but has read the question wrong.

Anybody have inspiring tales?

OP posts:
CousinBob · 05/05/2025 16:43

I knew a dyslexic carpenter.

What does your DS like to do?

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:45

He likes golf, playing online, walking in woods and hills, cycling up hills...
Academically he likes maths, and he was OK at computing.
Next year he is doing woodwork! ( as a course at school)

OP posts:

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General education SEN
douber · 05/05/2025 16:52

My DH and BIL are both dyslexic and are both successful Creative Directors in advertising/ publishing. The headteacher at my DCs excellent school is dyslexic.
DH is awful at maths, I do anything vaguely connected to numbers for him, but it hasn’t hindered his career at all.

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:54

douber · 05/05/2025 16:52

My DH and BIL are both dyslexic and are both successful Creative Directors in advertising/ publishing. The headteacher at my DCs excellent school is dyslexic.
DH is awful at maths, I do anything vaguely connected to numbers for him, but it hasn’t hindered his career at all.

Thank you this is very inspiring.
Did your DH get good exam results?

OP posts:
SchrodingersTwat2 · 05/05/2025 16:54

Does he/will he have a reader and scribe for GCSEs? Extra time?

Or Dragon software for homework?

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:54

FloraBotticelli · 05/05/2025 16:50

Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Dyslexia sounds so innoculous but has a major impact of lives!

OP posts:
Kittkats · 05/05/2025 16:54

Not answering your question, but can he use a reading pen? My DS was exactly the same in maths and his school have offered him one.
Dyslexic DD is about to start teacher training- although websites typically say BBB she’s been offered a place with CCD. She must have interviewed well and they have flexibility re offers.

Popquorn · 05/05/2025 16:56

Both of my kids are dyslexic- one works in admin/office management, and one is a one to one carer.

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:56

SchrodingersTwat2 · 05/05/2025 16:54

Does he/will he have a reader and scribe for GCSEs? Extra time?

Or Dragon software for homework?

Hello
Yes, he has a reader and a scribe.
They help immensely.
He struggles with confidence, due to dyslexia, and this impacts his exams, annoyingly!
I just worry so much a bout him.
My mum said " it all comes out in the wash".
I know he will be fine, but I wish it would be easier.
Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:57

Kittkats · 05/05/2025 16:54

Not answering your question, but can he use a reading pen? My DS was exactly the same in maths and his school have offered him one.
Dyslexic DD is about to start teacher training- although websites typically say BBB she’s been offered a place with CCD. She must have interviewed well and they have flexibility re offers.

Thabk you this is inspiring!
I will investigate those pens...

OP posts:
Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 16:58

Popquorn · 05/05/2025 16:56

Both of my kids are dyslexic- one works in admin/office management, and one is a one to one carer.

Thank you, this is inspiring too. Thabk you for replying x

OP posts:
Karatema · 05/05/2025 16:58

My DS are dyslexic - one is an engineer and the other a paramedic.

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 17:00

Karatema · 05/05/2025 16:58

My DS are dyslexic - one is an engineer and the other a paramedic.

Brilliant!
Did they get good exam results?
I need to stop analysing everything and just let him get on with it.
It's hard. He works so hard but is not going to get the results he should.

OP posts:
SchrodingersTwat2 · 05/05/2025 17:03

My son also took 2 BTEC alongside his GCSEs as they had a coursework and practical element and no exam.

gingerelephant · 05/05/2025 17:05

My child has quite severe dyslexia, managed to gain a mixed bag of GCSEs all 5 or over (private tuition for English for otherwise this would never have been achieved.）A levels during Covid times so slightly misleading I think. We were quite insistent that the course chosen fitted in with career aim and had a practical focus - agriculture based.

womananddog · 05/05/2025 17:07

You might find the Made by Dyslexia website interesting www.madebydyslexia.org

TFMinx · 05/05/2025 17:09

My husband is dyslexic. He was in the forces from 17 as a helicopter engineer, and is now an engineer in a private company, but manages people rather than doing the leg work. He’s good at maths and brilliant at practical things, so this career path suited him down to the ground.

My sister is both dyslexic and dyscalculic. Worked really hard for her GCSEs, a-levels and degree and is now in maxilofacial prosthetics.

This post is probably outing for me, so hi everyone I know in real life 😂

MrsLeonFarrell · 05/05/2025 17:10

One of my offspring has dyslexia and dyscalcula. They did a BTEC then started an apprenticeship with a company who subsequently put them through an HNC and they are now about to start an HND. They have found that study with a strong practical element really helps them show how much they know and can achieve.

The truth is that the academic system isn't geared up for people who are dyslexic but once they leave school they can flourish because it is much easier to find ways of learning and working in the real world.

bruffin · 05/05/2025 17:44

My DS had similar SN,
He could does not bring the right number forward, or used a calculator on wrong setting. He can do complex maths (did get a gold in senior mathletics) took 2 attempts to get A Levels , ended up with ABB in maths and physics. Got into Uni to do engineering and dropped out. He had a lifeguard qualificaton so worked in sport centre while waiting to get a "career job"

He managed to get a temp job packing pharmaceuticals, they really liked him and when a perminant job as a techinician came up, he was offered that.
They gave him an apprenticeship and now a degree apprenticeship and he is flying, He will graduate next year and is now a manufacturing technologist.

My DH is also dyslexic and did an apprenticeship back in the late 70s and is a electrical and automation engineer.

Edited to add neither of my Dc took a straight forward path. DD is also very bright but struggled with A levels and ended up doing a Btech in Health and Social Care, then Uni is now an Occupational Therapist,

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 17:45

MrsLeonFarrell · 05/05/2025 17:10

One of my offspring has dyslexia and dyscalcula. They did a BTEC then started an apprenticeship with a company who subsequently put them through an HNC and they are now about to start an HND. They have found that study with a strong practical element really helps them show how much they know and can achieve.

The truth is that the academic system isn't geared up for people who are dyslexic but once they leave school they can flourish because it is much easier to find ways of learning and working in the real world.

This is fabulous, thank you, and just what I need to hear. I have been looking at local college courses with HND s etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 17:46

bruffin · 05/05/2025 17:44

My DS had similar SN,
He could does not bring the right number forward, or used a calculator on wrong setting. He can do complex maths (did get a gold in senior mathletics) took 2 attempts to get A Levels , ended up with ABB in maths and physics. Got into Uni to do engineering and dropped out. He had a lifeguard qualificaton so worked in sport centre while waiting to get a "career job"

He managed to get a temp job packing pharmaceuticals, they really liked him and when a perminant job as a techinician came up, he was offered that.
They gave him an apprenticeship and now a degree apprenticeship and he is flying, He will graduate next year and is now a manufacturing technologist.

My DH is also dyslexic and did an apprenticeship back in the late 70s and is a electrical and automation engineer.

Edited to add neither of my Dc took a straight forward path. DD is also very bright but struggled with A levels and ended up doing a Btech in Health and Social Care, then Uni is now an Occupational Therapist,

Edited

This is so annoying, as I know my child and others like your child and husband could easily do the jobs, but don't fit exams or school!
Thank you for this x

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 05/05/2025 17:50

People I know who are dyslexic:
lawyer
film & tv production
civil engineer
historic tour guide
teaching assistant

ShiftySquirrel · 05/05/2025 18:02

I've just been having similar conversations with my dyslexic DD who's doing her GCSEs. She's bright and fairly academic but struggles to get things down in exams even with extra time. I suspect she has ADHD too but we can't afford an assessment and the wait is 3 years.

She was telling me Finland don't do exams, their teens are assessed by their teachers on their classwork. I'm not sure if it's true, but it would suit her!

We've got several options depending on exam results. Maths and English are both tricky for her so assuming she passes:
A-levels, then Degree - results dependent or Apprenticeships. We've been looking specifically at RAF, there's lots of options there if they are that way inclined.

It seems that just as we learn more about different SEN the way to success becomes narrower and everyone has to be funneled through the exam system.

Good luck to your son OP.

Original poster
Tauranga · 05/05/2025 18:08

ShiftySquirrel · 05/05/2025 18:02

I've just been having similar conversations with my dyslexic DD who's doing her GCSEs. She's bright and fairly academic but struggles to get things down in exams even with extra time. I suspect she has ADHD too but we can't afford an assessment and the wait is 3 years.

She was telling me Finland don't do exams, their teens are assessed by their teachers on their classwork. I'm not sure if it's true, but it would suit her!

We've got several options depending on exam results. Maths and English are both tricky for her so assuming she passes:
A-levels, then Degree - results dependent or Apprenticeships. We've been looking specifically at RAF, there's lots of options there if they are that way inclined.

It seems that just as we learn more about different SEN the way to success becomes narrower and everyone has to be funneled through the exam system.

Good luck to your son OP.

Good luck to your daughter too.
You made me tear up ❤️

OP posts: