NEURO-DIVERSITY MIKE STYLES
Neuro-diversity
The Human Resources Team – both the problem and the solution?
F
irstly, a question for you all.
How often have you dismissed a CV out of hand because of a spelling mistake – or a typo? Well, we all have to – don’t we? How else do we reduce a big pile of CVs to a small pile? Sadly, we could be excluding the most productive and creative job applicants, and inadvertently penalising some very capable people. Yes, certainly every employer wants staff who pay attention to detail and who proofread key documents to ensure they are perfect. But consider a couple of points. Firstly, William Shakespeare is reputed to have spelled his own name 27 different ways. Secondly there is a significant number of capable people who could proofread their CV ten times and not pick up a mistake that would be obvious to you and me. I am referring to the ten percent of the population who have learning differences like Dyslexia.
So – just what is dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition whereby those who have it struggle with text (reading, writing and spelling), but who are otherwise as intelligent as the rest of the workforce. Dyslexia affects both males and females equally and lasts a lifetime. 26
HUMAN RESOURCES
WINTER 2019
A child with dyslexia grows up to be an adult with dyslexia. The great majority of people with dyslexia will have been short-changed by the education system, many are unemployed or underemployed in the workplace. Many people with dyslexia will not know they are dyslexic, and those that do know will be making every endeavour to hide their dyslexia. Many adults with dyslexia also have a related condition called Irlen’s Syndrome, sometimes called Visual Stress. (See later.)
called Visual Stress. Those who have it often struggle to read black text on a white background and find highly contrasting colours difficult to manage. (Up to 50 percent of those who are dyslexic also have Irlen’s) • Developmental Co-ordination Disorder. Formerly called Dyspraxia. Shows up as poor motor coordination, balance and spatial awareness. • Dysgraphia. Poor control of writing and fine motor skills.
The family of learning differences
“The pathology of superiority”
“Dyslexia rarely visits alone”. The current term to describe learning differences is “Neurodiversity”. Often people have a combination of neurodiverse conditions together. The common cause is a difference in the way the brain is wired. • The most common one is Dyslexia – loosely translated as difficulty with text. (10 percent) • Dyscalculia is the equivalent condition – but for numbers as opposed to text. (3–5 percent) • ADHD or ADD. Describes people who struggle to concentrate and are often hyperactive. (2–4 percent) • Irlen’s Syndrome. This is sometimes
Learning differences like dyslexia are the ultimate paradox. Along with the challenges that go with their difficulties with text, dyslexic people are known to have some very strong compensating characteristics. It is well known that people with dyslexia have superior visual, spatial and 3-D skills. (Hence many are artists of one sort or another.) People with dyslexia are known to be innovative, alternative thinkers who come up with creative solutions to problems. Many dyslexic people can see patterns, relationships and connections that others cannot see. They are known to be very empathic and many are entrepreneurial. There is research that reports that 60 percent of selfmade millionaires are dyslexic.
