How Young People With Cognitive Disabilities Can Build Satisfying and Profitable Careers

Young adults with cognitive disorders often feel hesitant when it comes to their careers. However, a learning disability such as dyslexia or ADHD shouldn’t stop anyone from pursuing a job that is both lucrative and gratifying.

If you have a learning difficulty, you’re not alone. Psychologists believe between 5% and 9% of the population face an information-processing challenge. There are even plenty of professionals who manage dual disabilities, such as having autism and hearing impairment.

Despite their invisible troubles, such individuals are typically functional members of society, many of whom have achieved greatness. My Family Psychologist offers some tips on how you, too, can thrive in a successful career.

Getting a University Degree

It’s no secret better job opportunities exist for those with diplomas than those without. Although you may experience difficulty in traditional learning environments, it is still possible to graduate from an institute of higher learning. Many universities make adjustments for those who absorb knowledge in particular ways.

These schools help by allowing extra time to take exams, offering adaptive technology that fits unique learning styles, and providing access to specialized tutors. It can be tricky knowing whether to disclose your cognitive differences on academic applications. Consult with a college counselor if you’re struggling to decide which choice is best. 

Finding an Internship

Once you’ve got your credentials, it’s time to carve out a career path. One method of getting your foot in the door is taking an internship. These opportunities can be highly competitive. Luckily, there are programs specifically designed for graduates like you. These arrangements are mutually beneficial for both the company as well as the intern. Even better, these positions sometimes lead to future employment.

Starting a Consulting Business

One job worth contemplating is consulting. With nothing more than a computer, you can earn a degree in information technology that gives you the opportunity to help businesses with their IT needs. Once you have an up-to-date background in data analytics or cybersecurity, you’ll be a commodity worthy of hiring. Alternatively, you might pursue a degree in graphic design or copy editing.

Determine the fees you should charge by looking at the competition, and structure your services in a manner that facilitates collaborations. Make an effort to sharpen your networking and referral-generating skills. Start small, then gradually take on more work and raise your rates. 

Building the Perfect Office

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires companies to be flexible with those who have disabilities. That said, getting employers to comply with the law is sometimes frustrating. Consider working from home, as that scenario offers maximum freedom to construct an environment that suits your needs.

Think carefully about how to set up your workspace so that it’s conducive to productivity. If you more easily absorb information by listening rather than reading, install a voice output program onto your computer. Since you’re working from home, you can listen to emails aloud without bothering others.

Those who need to move from place to place should subscribe to a satellite internet service. That way, they can get online wherever and whenever they wish. Individuals with a tendency to lose things should spend extra time organizing their workspace, color-coding files and creating spots for storing important items. 

It comes as no shock that those with learning disabilities are sometimes intimidated by the prospect of entering the workforce. Still, such sensitivities shouldn’t prevent anyone from finding employment that is both fulfilling and profitable. Follow these guidelines if this describes you and show the world that your personal struggles are merely another hurdle you’re able to conquer.