In previous posts, such as The Dyslexic Social Worker and The Dyslexic Advantage, we have explored how dyslexia presents and is experienced by neurodivergent adults. More often than not, information and resources focus on increasing our awareness in relation to children and young people. Subsequently, the needs of adults have gone unexplored.
To try and mitigate this gap in conversation, awareness and understanding, together we have explored how dyslexia presents for adults … specifically in day-to-day social work practice. Notably, the strengths dyslexia can bring to our lives and the way we think has been championed.
For the next 3 posts, I will be focusing on the dyslexic strength communication in bite-size reflective posts.
I have chosen to focus and reflect on communication because it has been very important to me as a social worker and as a human in general. For me, and from my experiences, honest and vulnerable communication has been the foundation of some of the strongest relationships I have with children, families, colleagues, and friends.
When I say honest and vulnerable communication, this has meant both the content and delivery of the message and interaction. Below I will explore 3 communication strengths that facilitate honest and vulnerable communication.
It is important to remember, dyslexia is on a spectrum, some people may find communication is their strength, and others may not. So, if you are reading this and thinking dyslexia is not your strength, please do not feel as though this is a negative, your strengths may lay in the other M.I.N.D dyslexia strengths.
Seeing the bigger picture
I have previously explored how seeing the bigger picture as dyslexic thinking can enhance our practice as a social worker, however today I am specifically going to focus on exploring the role of seeing the bigger picture in communication.
Because our brain processes information and accesses information differently from neurotypical people, we are able to connect information and stories as well as see patterns that neurotypical people cannot. Connecting information and spotting patterns help us see the big picture and can help us: understand people's worlds from their narratives; understand people’s decisions or thinking processes; and see/understand the intersectionality of social issues in people’s worlds.
This ability to connect information and find patterns has supported my reflective communication in my personal life and as a social worker. For example, it has helped me move beyond just repeating and rephrasing, which, depending on non-verbal communication and what you chose to repeat/rephrase, did not enhance, or enable relationship practice.
However, having learnt about our ability to make links due to differences in information processing I have tried to notice and lean into links that pop into my mind. Because of this, I am using double-sided reflections – finding patterns between thoughts and actions and trying to understand the context of a person’s actions/feelings. This has enhanced relationships with children, families and colleagues, helped me understand people as a whole - as people who interact with their and are impacted by their context (instead of just focussing on what is presented in the present) and has facilitated natural change talk (a motivational interviewing approach).
Moreover, when discussing local authority processes and legislation that underpins our practice, instead of regurgitating a step-by-step process or facts, the big picture can be presented as a summary or a story with the finer details used to assist and deepen explanations. This will be explored in more detail below.
What do you think? How does seeing the bigger picture influence your practice? What are your other dyslexic strengths?
Thank you for reading, see you next week to explore how we can simplify the social care matrix.
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