disclosing information on your dyspraxia
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disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Hi everyone,
New to this forum. I was diagnoses with dyspraxia in 2010 at the age of 23. The initial diagnosis was a relief to me, because it allowed me to understand my difficulties were not my fault. However, having already completed a degree and been part way through a PGCE in primary education at the time, I was adamant that I could manage just fine without extra support. And, by and large, I managed just fine.
Skip forward a few years to 2014. I have been a teacher for 3 years now. I didn't tell anyone about my dyspraxia in my first job, and always got good feedback about my teaching, though I did find I had to put in significantly more effort than the average person.
I have been successful in getting a new job starting in September. I have been particularly anxious about the job - (i think dyspraxia definitely increased my anxiety levels), as it will be a tough challenge. It would be tough for anyone but I have the additional burden of dyspraxia. To calm my anxieties I decided I wanted to be upfront with my boss about having dyspraxia. I asked for a mentor to check in with every now and then, and was pleased when this request was granted. My problem came however, when trying to explain to her what exactly dyspraxia was and how it affected me. (She had never heard of it before). I am possibly slightly atypical, in that it isn't clumsiness, that is the main problem for me., more the organisation of thought, and thinking in a logical, step by step way. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I found it really, really hard to summise this to her (with my boss in the room too). I felt that I was garbling and not making much sense, and I must admit I felt that I was starting to ring alarm bells in my boss's head when I said things like 'it affects my organisaion' and 'makes time management hard for me' It wasn't a pleasant experience and I came away thinking that I had probably thrown up more questions and alarms in their head than I had answered them.
Anyway I guess I am interested to know a. -did i do the right thing by disclosing my dyspraxia to them? and b. how honest should you be in these situations, obviously I want to be truthful ,but i was very aware I had to paint my self in a positive light too - after all they have hired me and expect me to be capable of carrying out the job I was offered. The fact that dyspraxia is still quite an unknown doesn't help at all. I am sure if I said I had dyslexia, they wouldnt have asked me so many questions and it would have been a much easier conversation, but i think the unknowness of dyspraxia makes people uneasy.
Has anyone else been in a situation whereby they have decided to disclose information about dyspraxia to their employer? If so, how did you find it? Did you feel better for disclosing? Did you feel supported by your employer after you disclosed the information?
Would love to hear from you guys
New to this forum. I was diagnoses with dyspraxia in 2010 at the age of 23. The initial diagnosis was a relief to me, because it allowed me to understand my difficulties were not my fault. However, having already completed a degree and been part way through a PGCE in primary education at the time, I was adamant that I could manage just fine without extra support. And, by and large, I managed just fine.
Skip forward a few years to 2014. I have been a teacher for 3 years now. I didn't tell anyone about my dyspraxia in my first job, and always got good feedback about my teaching, though I did find I had to put in significantly more effort than the average person.
I have been successful in getting a new job starting in September. I have been particularly anxious about the job - (i think dyspraxia definitely increased my anxiety levels), as it will be a tough challenge. It would be tough for anyone but I have the additional burden of dyspraxia. To calm my anxieties I decided I wanted to be upfront with my boss about having dyspraxia. I asked for a mentor to check in with every now and then, and was pleased when this request was granted. My problem came however, when trying to explain to her what exactly dyspraxia was and how it affected me. (She had never heard of it before). I am possibly slightly atypical, in that it isn't clumsiness, that is the main problem for me., more the organisation of thought, and thinking in a logical, step by step way. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I found it really, really hard to summise this to her (with my boss in the room too). I felt that I was garbling and not making much sense, and I must admit I felt that I was starting to ring alarm bells in my boss's head when I said things like 'it affects my organisaion' and 'makes time management hard for me' It wasn't a pleasant experience and I came away thinking that I had probably thrown up more questions and alarms in their head than I had answered them.
Anyway I guess I am interested to know a. -did i do the right thing by disclosing my dyspraxia to them? and b. how honest should you be in these situations, obviously I want to be truthful ,but i was very aware I had to paint my self in a positive light too - after all they have hired me and expect me to be capable of carrying out the job I was offered. The fact that dyspraxia is still quite an unknown doesn't help at all. I am sure if I said I had dyslexia, they wouldnt have asked me so many questions and it would have been a much easier conversation, but i think the unknowness of dyspraxia makes people uneasy.
Has anyone else been in a situation whereby they have decided to disclose information about dyspraxia to their employer? If so, how did you find it? Did you feel better for disclosing? Did you feel supported by your employer after you disclosed the information?
Would love to hear from you guys
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Personally I'm always open about my dyspraxia.
You are kind of at the mercy of the maturity and understanding of the person you're disclosing to, but in employment terms if you've disclosed and been open about it then there is more chance of reasonable adjustments should you need it.
Quite often people have reacted surprised when I've disclosed it, especially if they've already seen me at work and find me very capable. People are less inclined to believe that someone has difficulty if they actually appear to be very good at something.
You are kind of at the mercy of the maturity and understanding of the person you're disclosing to, but in employment terms if you've disclosed and been open about it then there is more chance of reasonable adjustments should you need it.
Quite often people have reacted surprised when I've disclosed it, especially if they've already seen me at work and find me very capable. People are less inclined to believe that someone has difficulty if they actually appear to be very good at something.
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Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Hi Meowmix
First of all, a very warm welcome to our community here.
I've been described as having dyspraxic tendencies. I liken it to being in a leaky rowing boat. when the waters are calm I can paddle along quite happily but when the sea gets stormy I have to fight to stay afloat and not go into panic mode. I do push myself very hard but being a perfectionist and a bit dyspraxic do not always go together well though I try hard to appear as ‘normal’ as possible and not to let it define what I can do. Obviously some there are some things that are beyond my control and/or ability and I have to try to accept these things. (Note to self: juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle will end badly and messily!)
I'm rubbish at catching even with fair warning, Not always good with taking in verbal instructions either and if someone is watching or I feel they are I will 'trip up'.
I understand your point about being unsure where to go considering it generally affects you to a smallish extent and most of the time your coping mechanisms allow you to get on reasonably well with most things and you just work/think harder to compensate?
You could try the self assessment questionnaire on page 6 of this guide and then show the results to your GP or an occupational health advisor at work (if you have one) as ‘evidence’.
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/d ... ia_1.0.pdf
First of all, a very warm welcome to our community here.
I've been described as having dyspraxic tendencies. I liken it to being in a leaky rowing boat. when the waters are calm I can paddle along quite happily but when the sea gets stormy I have to fight to stay afloat and not go into panic mode. I do push myself very hard but being a perfectionist and a bit dyspraxic do not always go together well though I try hard to appear as ‘normal’ as possible and not to let it define what I can do. Obviously some there are some things that are beyond my control and/or ability and I have to try to accept these things. (Note to self: juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle will end badly and messily!)
I'm rubbish at catching even with fair warning, Not always good with taking in verbal instructions either and if someone is watching or I feel they are I will 'trip up'.
I understand your point about being unsure where to go considering it generally affects you to a smallish extent and most of the time your coping mechanisms allow you to get on reasonably well with most things and you just work/think harder to compensate?
You could try the self assessment questionnaire on page 6 of this guide and then show the results to your GP or an occupational health advisor at work (if you have one) as ‘evidence’.
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/d ... ia_1.0.pdf
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
I've hit on the problem of whether or not to disclose in the past. I think it's generally better to disclose but it's wise to be careful of how they might react. I think it can be good to explain dyspraxia with an emphasis on differences to non-dyspraxic thinking rather than putting it in a frame of 'I struggle with x,y,z'
For example...dyspraxia gives you a different perspective and way of thinking - we're naturally strong at lateral thinking and creativity which can be a great asset in working in education. It does mean we approach organisation a little differently and to get the best from dyspraxic workers it's useful to provide help with organisational skills.
I also struggled for a long time in explaining what dyspraxia is and how it affects me. I came up with this overview to say to people if they ask me, it might help you too...
"Dyspraxia is a condition that affects how our central nervous systems process our thoughts and the world around us - it can affect physical co-ordination, sensory processing (hearing, touch, light sensitivity) and speech and language."
I'd have expected people working in education to be well versed on dyspraxia, so I'm surprised at what you say about them being unaware, OP!
For example...dyspraxia gives you a different perspective and way of thinking - we're naturally strong at lateral thinking and creativity which can be a great asset in working in education. It does mean we approach organisation a little differently and to get the best from dyspraxic workers it's useful to provide help with organisational skills.
I also struggled for a long time in explaining what dyspraxia is and how it affects me. I came up with this overview to say to people if they ask me, it might help you too...
"Dyspraxia is a condition that affects how our central nervous systems process our thoughts and the world around us - it can affect physical co-ordination, sensory processing (hearing, touch, light sensitivity) and speech and language."
I'd have expected people working in education to be well versed on dyspraxia, so I'm surprised at what you say about them being unaware, OP!
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Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Personally these days I always disclose straight away, I've had experience in the past were I haven't and its come back with a vengeance to bite me in the backside.
The way I see it is that any good employer wont hold it against you and should be able to see past the disability to the potential, and if they cant or don't want to their probably not worth working for, disability or no.
The other point is that if they take you on and something goes wrong because of dyspraxia (not saying it will) and you haven't informed them you've not got a leg to stand on really.
You may be able to turn this to your advantage particularly in roles like teaching were they push equal opportunity very heavily, their often looking to show that they employ a given number of people with disabilities, its a little mercenary I know but you've got to take every opportunity.
The way I see it is that any good employer wont hold it against you and should be able to see past the disability to the potential, and if they cant or don't want to their probably not worth working for, disability or no.
The other point is that if they take you on and something goes wrong because of dyspraxia (not saying it will) and you haven't informed them you've not got a leg to stand on really.
You may be able to turn this to your advantage particularly in roles like teaching were they push equal opportunity very heavily, their often looking to show that they employ a given number of people with disabilities, its a little mercenary I know but you've got to take every opportunity.
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Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Yes I would agree disclose although I find it worrying that your boss has not heard of it...what about all the kids in her school with dyspraxia! I have gone down the disclosure path myself although both my boss and access to work just say dyslexia which I also have.
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Hi Guys,
My sister has very recently realised that she probably has dyspraxia but is yet to get a diagnosis. All of us who are very close to her have also realised that is also very probable and would explain many of the struggles she has had in life.
She has been a nanny for many years and is by all accounts a fantastic nanny due to the fact that she is fantastic with children and is possibly the most natural, caring person I know.
I have no fear that she is wonderful at looking after children but my question is, if she were to get a professional diagnosis of dyspraxia, would she be required to disclose this to her employer? She has had several nanny jobs who would all give her fantastic references so I don't see it as an issue but I don't know where the law stands on this. Advice would be greatly appreciated!
My sister has very recently realised that she probably has dyspraxia but is yet to get a diagnosis. All of us who are very close to her have also realised that is also very probable and would explain many of the struggles she has had in life.
She has been a nanny for many years and is by all accounts a fantastic nanny due to the fact that she is fantastic with children and is possibly the most natural, caring person I know.
I have no fear that she is wonderful at looking after children but my question is, if she were to get a professional diagnosis of dyspraxia, would she be required to disclose this to her employer? She has had several nanny jobs who would all give her fantastic references so I don't see it as an issue but I don't know where the law stands on this. Advice would be greatly appreciated!
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Hi beagle80y
There is no legal obligation to disclose. However by doing so an employer cannot treat an employee less favourably and must be prepared to make reasonable adjustments. Dyspraxia was Specifically mentioned in The Disability Discrimination Act 1996. Legislation then came under the later Equality Act 2010
"Specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia are all classified as a disability under the terms of this Act. It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their disability. Individuals are entitled to receive reasonable adjustments to help them overcome their difficulties."
Obtaining a formal 'diagnosis' as an adult is a lottery and awareness/understanding of the condition is not as prevalent as we would hope.
From your account your sister obviously works hard and is well respected by those who have seen/benefited from her nannying. Her 'struggles' and the personal strategies she has developed for overcoming or working with/or around them are testament to her ability. A great many of us tend to be driven and harder on ourselves than others around us.
If you have any more questions please do ask. Additionally please point your sister in the direction of this site.
There is no legal obligation to disclose. However by doing so an employer cannot treat an employee less favourably and must be prepared to make reasonable adjustments. Dyspraxia was Specifically mentioned in The Disability Discrimination Act 1996. Legislation then came under the later Equality Act 2010
"Specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia are all classified as a disability under the terms of this Act. It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their disability. Individuals are entitled to receive reasonable adjustments to help them overcome their difficulties."
Obtaining a formal 'diagnosis' as an adult is a lottery and awareness/understanding of the condition is not as prevalent as we would hope.
From your account your sister obviously works hard and is well respected by those who have seen/benefited from her nannying. Her 'struggles' and the personal strategies she has developed for overcoming or working with/or around them are testament to her ability. A great many of us tend to be driven and harder on ourselves than others around us.
If you have any more questions please do ask. Additionally please point your sister in the direction of this site.
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
I wanted to share this find with you on this matter:
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/d ... ril_12.pdf
I read an article on linkedin, and it seems that "Disclosure Documents" are now the acceptable option for a self-made explanation of dyspraxia. The only downside to this template is that it seems to be written for completion by a support worker - I strongly suggest you modify this so that you can complete if yourself. I would love to share my refined document with the forum but need to find somewhere to store and share.
http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/d ... ril_12.pdf
I read an article on linkedin, and it seems that "Disclosure Documents" are now the acceptable option for a self-made explanation of dyspraxia. The only downside to this template is that it seems to be written for completion by a support worker - I strongly suggest you modify this so that you can complete if yourself. I would love to share my refined document with the forum but need to find somewhere to store and share.
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
I have had mixed advice over the years with the training providers I attended to help me find work.
Some advisors at some providers have said don't disclose it if it does not affect the job I AM DOING, however some say if you meet a certain minimum criteria for the job you could get a job interview and have said I should disclose it, the other option it is up to me whether or not I want to disclose.
I have tend to have more job interviews when I have disclose it even though I might not have been the best person for the job, employer saw something but have never been sucessful get a job within a company properly, always been via employment agency so far. Was very close to getting a job a few years ago but only one aspect of the job would have let me down and that was telephone and reception work, possibly felt that my speech may have been an issue as there needed someone with a clear and cofident voice.
Even though my dyspraxia is mild, there are signs like my speech, communication skills and coordination can be picked up on very easy.
Some advisors at some providers have said don't disclose it if it does not affect the job I AM DOING, however some say if you meet a certain minimum criteria for the job you could get a job interview and have said I should disclose it, the other option it is up to me whether or not I want to disclose.
I have tend to have more job interviews when I have disclose it even though I might not have been the best person for the job, employer saw something but have never been sucessful get a job within a company properly, always been via employment agency so far. Was very close to getting a job a few years ago but only one aspect of the job would have let me down and that was telephone and reception work, possibly felt that my speech may have been an issue as there needed someone with a clear and cofident voice.
Even though my dyspraxia is mild, there are signs like my speech, communication skills and coordination can be picked up on very easy.
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Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
hi I am in my fifties and i had a dyslexia assessment a few months ago, I was also screened for dyspraxia which showed there was a tendancy for this, I did struggle at school and had a breakdown in my first year of secondary school, the more I read about dyspraxia I can identify and relate to most of the information.
I have worked for an organisation for over ten years, and worked well within my own structure, up until inferstructure, and different managers have changed the work place, my anxieties levels where concerning me it felt like I was back at school, it was at that point where a went for a private assessment. I sat on the fence for a while before deciding to approach the managers. It was not easy for me to disclose as my confidence and self esteem was low. I explained to my manager about the assessment, his response was abrupt regimental and cold. I got tounge tied and had high pitch bells ringing in my ears this was making my senses overload, he then called in my line manager and there both critized my work performance. I have been off work since then for 6 weeks now with stress, most nights I don't sleep as I keep going over the same senerio at work.
I have worked for an organisation for over ten years, and worked well within my own structure, up until inferstructure, and different managers have changed the work place, my anxieties levels where concerning me it felt like I was back at school, it was at that point where a went for a private assessment. I sat on the fence for a while before deciding to approach the managers. It was not easy for me to disclose as my confidence and self esteem was low. I explained to my manager about the assessment, his response was abrupt regimental and cold. I got tounge tied and had high pitch bells ringing in my ears this was making my senses overload, he then called in my line manager and there both critized my work performance. I have been off work since then for 6 weeks now with stress, most nights I don't sleep as I keep going over the same senerio at work.
Re: disclosing information on your dyspraxia
Hi
I'm really sorry to read of your bad experience with these 'managers'. It's disheartening to read about such a distinct lack of sensitivity and lack of professionalism. That's all I want to say here as I could easily turn the air blue.
Have you thought about you plan to respond?
I'm really sorry to read of your bad experience with these 'managers'. It's disheartening to read about such a distinct lack of sensitivity and lack of professionalism. That's all I want to say here as I could easily turn the air blue.
Have you thought about you plan to respond?
Tom
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)
Moderator/Administrator
With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
(from Peter and the Test Tube Babies, Foot Full of Bullets)