Can an Adult Acquire Dyslexia?

The short answer is yes, an adult can acquire dyslexia, although the likelihood is highly unlikely unless the individual undergoes brain surgery or sustains a significant brain injury. There are cases where dyslexia manifests in adulthood, often due to childhood dyslexia that remains undiagnosed until later in life, or as a result of a traumatic experience that damages the brain.

Introduction to Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects an individual's ability to read, write, and spell accurately and fluently. Traditionally, it is thought to develop during childhood and persist throughout life. However, there are cases where reading difficulties emerge in adulthood, due to various reasons such as brain surgery or neurological disorders.

Adult Dyslexia: A Personal Experience

I had epilepsy for half of my life. I was part of the Neurosciences clinic in Aurora, Colorado, from 1988 to 1997. During my treatment, I had several attempts at epilepsy medications. Despite my best efforts, none of the medications worked effectively. In 1997, I underwent a Temporal Lobectomy, a brain surgery where a part of the brain, specifically the temporal lobe, was removed to eliminate the source of my seizures.

The neurologist warned me about a potential post-surgical side effect: dyslexia. Since then, I have faced numerous cognitive challenges, including forgetting names, addresses, and passwords. I had to relearn the alphabet, a task that was both daunting and frustrating, particularly since I was 37 years old at the time of the surgery. Now, at 63, I still struggle with remembering details online, as paper applications are becoming a rarity.

While I no longer have seizures due to the surgery, the repercussions of dyslexia have significantly impacted my life. Daily tasks that were once routine are now obstacles. Managing numbers, recalling addresses, and passwords have become an ongoing challenge, forcing me to adopt new strategies and tools to stay organized.

Neurological Basis of Dyslexia

The basis for dyslexia lies in the brain's hemispheres. If seizures are isolated to the left hemisphere, surgery can be an option to remove the problematic area. Conversely, if seizures originate in the right hemisphere, surgery is also a viable option. However, if seizures emerge from the frontal lobe, the surgery is far more risky as the frontal lobe connects both hemispheres, and removing it could result in a vegetative state.

I had grand mal seizures, and my surgery involved the left hemisphere. The neurologist explained that the partial resection of the temporal lobe could cause long-term cognitive effects, including dyslexia. After the surgery, I had to relearn basic tasks, including the alphabet, which had become a foreign concept to me.

One of the most significant challenges I faced was sorting records post-surgery. Prior to the surgery, I was adept at categorizing records according to artist names. However, post-surgery, I struggled to remember certain letters, and I had to rely on sorting records using letter stacks. This experience highlighted how dyslexia can disrupt even the most routine tasks and underscored the importance of mental rehabilitation following brain surgery.

Coping with Dyslexia

Despite these challenges, there are tools and strategies available to help individuals cope with adult-onset dyslexia. People at rehabilitation centers did not teach me the alphabet, so I had to relearn it on my own. Utilizing mnemonic devices, developing a structured routine, and using technology to aid memory and organization can significantly enhance daily life.

Joining support groups has also been beneficial. Although I initially had difficulty joining a dyslexia group as an adult, I eventually found community and support from individuals who understood the unique challenges of adult-onset dyslexia. Sharing experiences and exchanging strategies with others in similar situations can provide invaluable support and insights for managing the condition.

Conclusion

While dyslexia is typically thought of as a childhood condition, it can indeed appear in adulthood due to neurological changes following brain surgery, epilepsy, or other brain injuries. Personal experiences like mine highlight the lifelong impact of dyslexia and the necessity of ongoing support and adaptation.