Conversations around neurodiversity have been gaining prominence. About one in seven people in the UK is neurodivergent. Despite the increased awareness, there is still some way to go in dismantling perceptions about what neurodiverse people are capable of and the fields we are expected to pursue. As a solicitor apprentice at Stephenson Harwood, I view my neurodiversity as a strength, not a weakness. I am passionate about encouraging other aspiring neurodivergent solicitors into the profession and increasing understanding through open communication.
When I was first diagnosed with dyslexia at 14, I was sceptical. I found it hard to reconcile my diagnosis with my high performance at school and was unsure what to make of the revelation. But the truth was that I had always worked extremely hard to compensate for my differentiating dyslexic traits to perform at the same level as my peers. I had just never questioned why that might be needed.
The penny did not drop for me until my parents explained my dyslexia report. I learnt that I processed information slowly and had a poor working memory, among positive attributes such as visual comprehension and strong empathy. Justification of why it took me longer to complete work or why I could not think as quickly in class led to an immediate feeling of relief.
Not so ‘typical’
That being said, being diagnosed did not suddenly make me feel outwardly comfortable about being dyslexic. I found that because my traits did not present as the ‘typical’ dyslexic stereotypes, such as struggling with reading or spelling, some of my school peers did not ‘get it’. This rocked my sense of security within my diagnosis.
The coin flipped and I became confident in my diagnosis once I took the time to understand that dyslexia includes a multitude of different traits. I realised and accepted that every dyslexic person has different strengths and weaknesses, and while mine were not externally obvious, I still needed additional support.
According to the British Dyslexia Association, around 10% of the UK population are believed to be dyslexic. Contrary to popular belief, dyslexia is not related to a person’s general level of intelligence and can present in many different ways. It can range from mild to severe and often appears to run in families, as it does in my case.
Learning style
I joined Stephenson Harwood as a solicitor apprentice in September 2021 and currently work in the corporate finance team. I decided to pursue a legal career after working in an in-house legal team for a fintech company during my gap year after A-levels.
The apprentice route appealed because it allowed me to get hands-on experience working at a City law firm, earn a salary, work in multiple departments, and also get a degree through a master’s level apprenticeship.
So far on my apprenticeship, I have completed a year-long seat in the marine and international trade practice group and a three-month secondment in our firm’s innovation team.
My learning style is well suited to the apprenticeship, as the combination of on-the-job training and academic studies assists my memory due to commonly experiencing the content in practice. Furthermore, I have also developed my own way of practical working that makes my dyslexia easier to manage, such as diarising tasks so that they are laid out visually.
Communication is key
A key lesson I have learned is the importance of communication. At Stephenson Harwood I have always felt comfortable talking to colleagues about my dyslexia and making them aware of any accommodations I might need.
Open and honest conversations are critical. They help dispel stereotypes and accelerate access to support, such as tech platforms for neurodiverse employees and additional time in university exams.
Understanding that dyslexia can manifest differently in different people was crucial for building my self-confidence. But it is also beneficial on a wider scale. Demystifying stigmas and reducing misunderstandings are key to creating a safe environment for neurodiverse people to flourish.
Creative thinking
A method of demystifying stigmas is to raise awareness in the workplace about the strengths of dyslexic people. Shifting focus from the struggles to the benefits means that dyslexia can be fully understood, and not just labelled as a negative attribute. This key message encourages an inclusive and positive work environment for all.
Many people with dyslexia are known for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking which can be used to simplify complex concepts more easily. Personally, I have always loved sport because I have good spatial reasoning skills from my dyslexia. My dyslexia also helped me develop strong problem-solving skills, organisational skills and resilience – all essential for a career in law.
My legal career will not be negatively affected by my dyslexia because I have embraced my neurodiversity. Understanding my diagnosis has helped me figure out what I can work on, and what I should be proud of. I am proud to be dyslexic and pursuing a career in law. I hope this article inspires others to do the same.
Freya Cumpsty is a solicitor apprentice at Stephenson Harwood
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