Careers advisors who understand dyspraxia

[raisin girl]

Has anyone seen a careers advisor at graduate level who has an understanding of dyspraxia and dyscalculia? I am experiencing related problems in my current job and although I'm fortunate to be working for an extremely supportive company, I'd really like some advice on how to move on and play to my strengths better. I've been to a careers advisor specialising in my professional field, who was very nice, but ultimately had very little understanding of dyspraxia so couldn't really offer the best advice on that front.

It's very difficult for someone who doesn't have or know about dyspraxia to understand why, despite having the best professional qualifications it's possible to get in my line of work, I am struggling in my work, and in finding alternative work. I trained as a journalist but my problems with memory, time management, physical attention to detail and not having learned shorthand or driving, place certain restrictions on the kind of journalism I can do, and on related fields I can pursue. I know I have excellent written and verbal communication skills, but the problem is that many jobs (for example PR or sub-editing) need exceptionally strong skills in my problem areas too. A lot of the time it is the volume of the work that is the issue - my organisational skills are perfectly alright in a normal day-to-day setting, but I struggle in a professional environment where the demands are greater and the margin for error is much smaller. There is also the fact I have poor skills in science and maths, which rules out communications work involving economics, complex statistics or science - a very lucrative sector.

Anyway, not to go too far off the point I am becoming aware for the first time in my life (at 25), how restricted I am in terms of employment and how jobs doing what I'm good at (writing and talking to people) seem to entail a lot of other things I find very difficult as well. If anyone has similar experiences and has found good professional advice anywhere, it'd be lovely to hear from you.

[gherkin001]

Ah,, another dyspraxic-dyscaculic! I thought it was only me around here lol.

There is a careers service, called WTCS, that deal with disabilities of all kinds and have strong knowledge of ALL learning difficulties they are no stranger to dyscalculia or dyspraxia - or anything else really..

Check out the website:

http://wtcsltd.co.uk/wtcssite/index.asp


Kirsty

[raisin girl]

Thanks very much for the reply, Kirsty.
The website looks fantastic but I notice they are based in the South West area - I live near London, so I'm not sure they'd be able to help me??

[gherkin001]

Well, I'd still say give them a call, they'll know someone who can help if they cant themselves, and you may be surprised, I know they have an office in Milton Keynes so they might stretch to London as well.

Kirsty

[a2c7]

Hey, just joined when I saw this post - I know it's a little old now but I thought it might be worth checking it out. The WTCS looks quite scary actually. I have a job but I'm really struggling, it makes me miserable. I'm so afraid that if I mess up I'll be fired - I'm still in my probation period. So far I've managed to cover up my memory problems and they don't notice any other problems I have. I don't think I can keep covering up my mistakes. In theory they should be a very supportive employer and I did put about my dyspraxia on the application form and told them about it in my interview - I don't think they've even bothered to look it up. You know the worst thing they can ask you is "so, I've not heard of dyspraxia, can you explain it to me?" Well sure, just as soon as I find a miracle cure for my difficulty with clear explanations.
I was diagnosed with dyspraxia three years ago, while at university - I'm 23 now. I always manage to drift by, doing alright so no one notices my problems. I know exactly how the original poster feels - when I've been in part time jobs with little responsibility I've been fine, but as soon as I've started my full time job things are getting a bit too much.
I never got taught any coping mechanisms and the ones I've built up over the years are mostly disguises and that doesn't help the matter.

[Nickmak]

Hey a2c7, raisingirl and kirsty,
Im in the same boat as you, (dyspraxic AND dyscalculic) but maybe in the water. Im 23 and also based near London and I was told that i will be loosing my job very soon as an administrator because of my difficulties with organisation and dyspraxia. I was in my probation period, only three weeks into the job.

I only told my line manager I had it 2 days before I heard that news and and trying to explain it has never been easy- I copied a wikipedia article to show them but unfortunatly I think it was too late and probably gave an explination for my difficulties and a justification for getting rid of me. My family as ever have been very supportive and tell me that not every job is for everyone which is true, but i did enjoy it.
I still have a week left so I am trying to make the best of a bad situation by working extremley hard, making sure I do everything correctly so they might think they have made a mistake and if not, well at least I know I gave it my best shot.

The problem is when to disclose and when not to disclose- if you disclose on your interview, you might not get the job, but when problems arrive you have to tell them (as i did) then you might be out of a job. in my previous job I told them about it and they didnt really get it so on this job I kept quiet . I guess it is the luck of the draw, but keep going!

Mary Colley who has written this brilliant Book 'Living with dyspraxia' says its probably best to tell. I wish I had taken her advice. What I am saying is its probably better to tell how difficult that may be, If you would like I could PM that chapter for you.

I am trying to get in touch with DANDA because they might know some advice for careers and I will check out that website that Kirsty kindly mentioned and if I hear anything good, I will let you know. One things for sure, I will be looking for a job that is more suitable for me.

Nick