Should I Get Diagnosed With Dyslexia as an Adult? (A Coach's Honest Answer)

This is one of the first questions people ask me. The honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you want a diagnosis to do for you.

Do you actually need one?

For most everyday support, no. Most workplaces do not require a diagnosis, and neither does Access to Work. What matters is the difficulties you experience, not a label. The exception is formal exams as an adult, industry accreditations, professional qualifications or a masters, where you will most likely need a diagnostic assessment to access extra time and other arrangements. If a specific door only opens with a diagnosis, the decision is easy. If not, read on.

What it will and will not give you.

A diagnosis confirms whether you are dyslexic, and for many people that confirmation brings real relief and self-belief. What it will not do is tell you what to do next. It answers one narrow question rather than looking at the many ways dyslexia shows up in your life, and most reports come with recommendations written for children, not adults. It is good at "am I dyslexic?" and far less useful at "so what do I do about it?"

The cost of staying stuck.

A private assessment is expensive, and that cost holds many people back. If confirmation is what finally lets you move forward, it may be the best money you spend, because staying stuck, working twice as hard and never understanding why, is far more expensive in the end. But if you are hoping it will hand you a plan, I would be cautious.

If you already have a diagnosis...

You do not need a new one as an adult. A childhood diagnosis still counts.

A more affordable option. 

If you simply want peace of mind, screeners have improved enormously and cost far less than a full assessment. They will not carry weight for exam arrangements, but for many people they are genuinely enough to feel settled.

If what you really want is answers.

Most people who ask me about diagnosis already suspect they are dyslexic. What they really want to know is why things feel so much harder, and what to do about it. That is the one thing a diagnosis will not give you, and it is exactly where coaching helps. I work through three areas: Creating Confidence, Building Systems and Unlocking Strengths. None of it requires a diagnosis to begin.

So, should you get diagnosed? If you need formal exam arrangements, yes. If you want the confidence of knowing and the cost is manageable, it can be money well spent. If you already have a childhood diagnosis, you do not need another. If you want reassurance without the expense, a screener may be enough. And if what you really want is answers about why you struggle and what to do next, coaching will serve you far better.

Whatever you decide, being dyslexic, diagnosed or not, is not something you have to work out on your own.

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Dyslexia in Adults

Dyslexia in Adults was created to help people stop struggling in silence and finally get the understanding and support I could never find myself. If you are ready to take the next step.

Here are a few ways to start:

Read the book. My book Dyslexia Unlocked, published by Bloomsbury, explores all of this in much more detail, and is a good place to begin making sense of your own dyslexic mind. 

Grab the free resource. Our free guide has been downloaded over 8,000 times and is full of practical, simple strategies you can start using straight away.

Explore coaching. If you would like more personal, tailored support, coaching works through exactly these challenges with you. You can find more details here.