It’s a common misconception that dyslexic adults only mix up letters (like “b” and “d”), misspell words or have trouble reading words forward (confusing “saw” for “was,” for instance). These are two possible dyslexia signs to look out for, but there are many more general symptoms that affect greater portions of the population. Most people with dyslexia are generally intelligent and talented, yet they fall behind in other areas. They may have poor handwriting, difficulty telling time or completing math problems. They may have good long-term memories but difficulty remembering sequences, numbers, facts and information that hasn’t been experienced. They may spell inconsistently, read slowly, repeat in writing or fail to finish sentences, and have difficulty putting thoughts into words. The good news is that nearly all communities have a nonprofit adult learning center aimed at helping individuals with these problems.

Life can be unpredictable at times and it’s easy to feel as though we’ve fallen behind on some of our goals. One of the main reasons why people attend adult learning centers is to catch up on missed schooling. A number of adults with dyslexia or other learning disabilities did not receive the proper attention or assistance in elementary school or high school and, as a result, fell behind. Frustrated and indifferent, these kids often drop out, only to regret it later on. Adults who have a desire to receive their high school diploma equivalent can study and take a GED test at any age, which will increase their employment opportunities. Some people fear that reading difficulties or other problems may prohibit them from passing the test, but trained teachers with a solid understanding in different adult learning styles will be available to help them master their own minds.

Additionally, many old adults come to the adult learning center to take computer courses, which will improve their aptitude in school, at work or at home. Today almost every job uses computers in some facet and adults who were already out of school when computers really took off may find that they are very behind. How do you sign onto a computer with a password, connect to the internet or save a file? How can you check email or set up a new email account? How do you access information from a CD-ROM? How can you create your own webpage? How do you troubleshoot basic errors and perform routine maintenance? How do MS Office programs like Word and Excel work? These are all important skills that adults can learn for free or on a sliding scale based on income.

Many people like the adult learning center as complementary education because they can work at their own level and pace. The flexible nature of the centers allows them to attend when it’s convenient for them, during days, evenings or weekends. Unlike college, the center’s enrollment is always open. The programs are usually free and the centers provide access to computers, books, papers, pencils, printers, applications and personal instructors. Individual learning plans can be created with the center’s director to ensure that you reach all your goals, despite reading difficulties, adult learning disabilities or limited education. A learning center is a great way to brush up on basic math, reading and writing skills, improve grammar and punctuation, prepare for tests or learn the English language.

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