Nancy Doyle C. Psychol. AFBPsS Using Coaching to improve Dyslexia and Dyspraxia in the Workplace

MPG Handout Pack What I promised to cover.. An overview of how dyslexia and dyspraxia affects people in the workplace Discussion of the results that can be achieved through coaching and their implications An interactive exercise to demonstrate some of the coaching methods A group plenary of the implications for further research and evaluation Where to signpost dyslexic and dyspraxic clients for specialist support

MPG Handout Pack Before we begin.... How are you planning to acquire knowledge and retain it during this session? What strategies do you use for: Taking notes? Remembering facts? Making seminars useful?

MPG Handout Pack ‘Neuro-diversity’

! MPG Handout Pack Which profiles indicate what? High perceptual / verbal reasoning Low working memory Low processing speed Dyslexia High verbal reasoning Low working memory Perceptual reasoning can be low Processing speed affected by motor coordination Dyspraxia Case history is key Guest (2007) Guest D. The psychological assessment of neuro-diversity. In Pollack, D (ed). Neuro-diversity in higher education. John Wiley and Sons Ltd: Chichester, UK.

MPG Handout Pack Evaluating the coaching Who? 95 coaching clients in the UK mainly referred through Access to Work or Occupational Health 41 men, 44 women Aged between 23 and 59 All receiving coaching to improve workplace productivity on account of being dyslexic and / or dyspraxic Average of 9.86 hours received over 4.6 sessions How? Both manager and client asked to identify topics to cover and then independently give a score out of 10 for their current performance Researcher calls 1 month after coaching and asks for current performance again, without revealing the initial score Scores are compiled and analysed using SPSS

MPG Handout Pack % Clients responding % Managers responding

MPG Handout Pack Impact on Perceived Productivity Clients report a 57% improvement Managers report 28%

MPG Handout Pack Does the amount of coaching affect outcomes? For clients, the number of sessions significantly affected their scores for: Working memory (F=2.35 p=.019) Spelling (F= 2.201, p=.043) Organisation (F=2.064, p=.048) The hours of coaching significantly affected scores for: Planning scores (F=2.438, p=.021) Finding directions (F=2.96, p=.044) For managers, the number of sessions significantly affected: Dyslexia Awareness (F=4.095, p=.028) Communicating their needs (F=3.403, p=.041) Whereas the hours of coaching significantly affected: Numeracy (F=3.822, p=.042)

MPG Handout Pack Do any topics have a ‘halo effect’?

Nancy Doyle C. Psychol. AFBPsS Using Coaching to improve Dyslexia and Dyspraxia in the Workplace

MPG Handout Pack Blush Tooth Smooth Crocodile Hair Pollen Hunger

MPG Handout Pack

Nancy Doyle C. Psychol. AFBPsS Using Coaching to improve Dyslexia and Dyspraxia in the Workplace

MPG Handout Pack Slip Shine Diary Quiet Green Lend Song

Nancy Doyle C. Psychol. AFBPsS Using Coaching to improve Dyslexia and Dyspraxia in the Workplace

MPG Handout Pack Self reflection.... How does what you’ve just experienced relate to the strategies do you use for: Taking notes? Remembering facts? Making seminars useful? Is there anything you’d like to do more of? Less of?

MPG Handout Pack Research & Practice What feedback and suggestions do you have for: Further Research? Further Practice? Research: Correlate coaches interpretations of distance travelled Practice: Educate managers and HR as to the nature of dyslexia in the workplace

MPG Handout Pack Signposting What might you notice? Difficulty managing appointments Forgetting or failing to follow up on verbal advice Poor articulation Going off on tangents Workplace stress absence Poor personal organisation Clumsiness, lack of driving skills (dyspraxia) Chaotic personal life, multiple jobs (ADHD) Where can be done? Referral to Access to Work Referral to Occupational Health Companies are legally obliged to take neuro-diversity seriously and risk Unfair Dismissal cases if they fail to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ Technology adjustments Coaching programmes Video Learning Journeys and online specialist support

MPG Handout Pack Specialist Support Assistive Technology Spellcheckers & auto-correct Text-to-speech & Speech-to- text software Mind mapping software Adaptive use of everyday software Strategy Coaching Extra time Memory skills Organisational skills Timekeeping Dyslexia awareness Working to strengths Ergonomics Adaptive pens, mouse, keyboard Environmental noise management Double screens for computer work Reading stands

Albert Einstein “If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid.” 67% of our clients report depression, anxiety, work-related stress and insomnia Correctly identifying the root cause is the first step to getting on the right track