Dyslexia in adulthood: challenges and the importance of resilience

This commentary provides a synthesis of research concerning the socio-emotional dimension of Dyslexia in adulthood. Lower levels of self-esteem and poorer socio-emotional functioning such as anxiety, depression and behavioural adjustment are documented. Although negative consequences should be considered, it is important to remember that many individuals live and cope with their reading difficulties and experience no significant long term psycho-social problems. Therefore this commentary examines the adaptive coping strategies that may be used and considers the insights that may be derived by adopting a resilience perspective to interpret existing findings and situate future research. The chapter concludes with suggestions for ways in which research concerning the socio-emotional dimension of dyslexia may progress in the future: research must be robust enough, not only to descriptively examine but also to, generate explanatory causal accounts of the complex relationships between external and internal risk and protective factors that operate across the lifespan. It should therefore be longitudinal nature; ambitious, inclusive and integrative in the type and range of methodological techniques used, and be informed by the experiences of individuals with dyslexia. The advancement of the field and increased linkage between research and practice is essential to the development of evidence-based interventions that have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of individuals with dyslexia.