by Dr. Alta E. Graham
Every Brain is Different
Coming up with a general plan for organization for people with dyslexia presents a problem because no two people’s brains work exactly the same. However, effective organization for me is much different from the neurotypical approach generally taught and found in self-help books. So – I’ll share a few things I’ve found useful, in case they help you as well.
Balancing Your Needs with the Comfort of Others
First, and perhaps most importantly, organization involves two separate things. The most important part involves the organization you need to find things when you want them and feel comfortable in your own space. The other piece is the organization needed to make others feel comfortable and that they are in a “clean and neat” environment. These two approaches may intertwine if you share living or work space. If you do not need to share space, you may treat them as unrelated.
Organization Strategy for Dyslexic Comfort
As a dyslexic student and professional, I’ve found one strategy especially useful. I pay attention to where I look for things. If I’m not sure where I want to keep something, I think, “Where was the first place I looked, last time I had to look for this?” There, or somewhere near there, offers a good place to keep the thing because my brain is already trying to connect it to that place.
I also group things the way they are in my mind, rather than trying to make a “standard” grouping work. I have file folders with labels like Things that go with things, and ☹️ because those work for me – be open to what works for you.
Use Those Big Picture Dyslexia Thinking Skills
Organization in larger blocks helps as well. Big picture thinking can be a gift for dyslexic thinkers. Applying that strength to organization makes things easier. For instance, rather than attempting to establish a place for paints, and place for brushes, a place for paper, etc. you simply say “these shelves are for art supplies” and let any additional organization happen organically. Again, base this on your own thinking style and needs.
If It Doesn’t Need Done, Don’t Do It
Avoiding unnecessary organization, or activities that are presented as organization but aren’t, proves valuable in that it frees up time and, most importantly, mental energy, for actually useful organization. An example of unnecessary organization might be sorting a collection of papers that you will probably never use, but ought to keep because there is a slight chance you may need them someday. If the chance you will need them is low enough, the effort to make them easily accessible is a poor time strategy, statistically.
So, Does Laundry Actually Need Folded?
An example of a pseudo-organizational activity, one presented as organizational that isn’t, might be folding linens. Folding things doesn’t make them easier to find – so you may want to ask yourself if there is an actual purpose. Maybe you decide that you will fold sheets and bath towels because that serves the purpose of making them easier to use and easier to put on shelves, but just toss wash cloths and hand towels in baskets, because folding them doesn’t accomplish anything you personally care about.
Line of Sight is Huge for Dyslexic Thinkers
Visibility – sight lines – can be hugely important for a mental connection to your physical space, and not having that mental connection (or disrupting it by imposing an “other people” organizational scheme) can make it uncomfortable and hard to think. Tall open shelves come in handy here.
Now, Let’s Consider How Other People Will Feel
Finally, consider other people. Your organization may seem disorganized to others. So if you have other people in your space you may need to consider “looking” organized, as a separate concept from actually being organized. The neurotypical perception of organization, so far as I can tell, depends heavily on right angles, straight lines, and empty flat surfaces. But avoid too many of them, or you may appear rigid or unapproachable. Finding ways to incorporate these in your personal organization scheme (if you frequently have other people in your space) or to easily add some (if you only occasionally have people over) avoids friction.
Let’s Make Everyone Happy
My advice: first organize your space the way YOU want it. Make it efficient and intuitive for yourself. Once that system feels right, have a neurotypical friend take a look and tell you what bothers them about the space. Take notes. Then disguise with baskets, boxes, or screens just enough to make it work for neurotypicals.
by Dr. Alta E. Graham