Thanks to recent and continuous research on the topic, today we know that people with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) in the workplace often prove to be more motivated and hard-working compared to their neurotypical colleagues. Indeed, the challenges faced throughout life to overcome difficulties on daily skills such as reading, writing, organisation, and numbers management tend to make them more resilient and determined workers.
SLDs are specific disorders and as such only affect limited areas. Intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, reasoning skills and other abilities remain intact and become the most relevant resources.
People with SLD are called ‘neurodiverse’ because their brain has an alternative way of processing information. Being neurodiverse does not mean being ‘missing’ or ‘defective’. Indeed, thanks to brain plasticity, dys develop special abilities as compensation strategies.
The brain also has the ability to compensate for deficits in specific areas. We can call this ability to adapt to the environment brain plasticity. The result of brain plasticity is compensation, i.e. the development of cognitive and learning strategies capable of ‘replacing’ the ability that is impaired. Our brain is genetically programmed to improve and self-organise in response to deficits, injuries and trauma.
Before embarking on any career path, dys workers and their future employer should understand what are the strengths, personal interests, passions, qualities and areas in which they stand out the most.
Research is showing that each Specific Learning Disorder usually comes with a specific set of weaknesses and strengths associated with it. In this article we maintain a general view on SLDs, therefore below a list of common strengths and key competences associated with all dys workers is provided:
- Dys have an intelligence within the norm or above the norm
- Dys are curious and intuitive
- Dys think mainly in pictures, visualize concepts in a three-dimensional way
- Dys can easily get an overview, get the big picture and see things from different perspectives
- Dys perceive and learn in a multi-dimensional way, using all the senses. They easily learn from experience
- Dys are very creative: they are often valued by colleagues as those who “think outside the box” or come up innovative ideas and creative solutions to problems
- Dys often have great problem-solving skills and are extraordinarily resourceful in the ways that they tackle problems
- Dys are persistent: self-determination is one of their most important characteristics. They are often appreciated for being dedicated and loyal to the company
- Dys develop specialized talents: unique strengths in specific abilities that help them compensate for their difficulties
- Finally, having an SLD is often linked to a greater sense of empathy.
Remark
Consider these as general information and guidelines. Discuss with all dys employees and get their feedback on the roles and accommodations that would best suit each of them. Every neurodivergent person has different competences, strengths, and weaknesses… of course!
→ The DysInEduProWork project has created an E-LEARNING FOR DYS on how to prepare for job interviews, how to talk about their disorders, how different adaptations might work for different disorders and how to prepare for the job itself.
The free online course can be found here: https://edukacio.com/courses/dysineduprowork/
Pictures credits:
Picture by Antoni Shkraba: https://www.pexels.com/it-it/foto/scritto-a-mano-donna-arte-creativo-4348401/
Picture by Bhautik Patel on Unsplash
Picture by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/it-it/foto/consapevolezza-attenzione-illustrazione-stigma-8378740/
References
Center for SLD studies Italy https://www.centrostudidsa.it/post/punti-di-forza-dsa
[last access on 20/11/2024]
Erickson Italia https://www.erickson.it/it/mondo-erickson/10-cose-che-una-persona-con-dsa-vorrebbe-che-tu-sapessi
[last access on 21/11/2024]
Info DSA portal https://infodsa.it/dislessia/risorse
[last access on 21/11/2024]
Italian Dyslexia Association (AID) https://www.aiditalia.org/che-cosa-sono-i-dsa
[last access on 20/11/2024]
