Mick Rigby - Dyslexia and Neurodiversity at 54

Mick is the founder and CEO of Yodel Mobile, one of the world's leading app marketing agencies. 

Despite founding several successful businesses and winning industry awards, Mick was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD at the age of 54, back in March 2022.

Back when he was in school in the 1980s, he was tested for behavioural ‘problems’ by the local authority, but didn’t receive a diagnosis other than ‘just having problems’. Mick always had challenges with spelling and writing from an early age but just accepted it and tried to work around them.

When his son was diagnosed with dyslexia 7 years ago, Mick felt that he could relate to a ot of the symptoms. As a result he had an assessment himself and was diagnosed with both dyslexia and ADHD.

For him it was a huge relief, understanding why there are certain elements of life that he struggles with. Over the years he would jump feet first into opportunities, while avoiding things he wasn’t that interested in.

At university he completed a Business Studies degree and found that certain elements of the course just clicked. He started working in advertising and realised that he had a creative flair.

While he has a huge amount of confidence in some areas, Mick also suffers with imposter syndrome - a common feeling among the neurodiverse. 

Discussing Volker’s son’s recent dyslexia diagnosis, Mick congratulated him suggesting that in many ways this is an advantage - while dyslexia does make some tasks a challenge it also results in innovative thinking, approaching problems from an angle others wouldn’t consider. 

For example, great thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Richard Brandson and many other entrepreneurs and innovators are dyslexic. It’s important for the school to support kids with those difficulties of course, and sometimes that can be an uphill battle as Mick describes as well.

While there is evidence that many people with undiagnosed neurodiversity self-medicate with alcohol and drugs to cope with the challenges, Mick never resorted to those. He manages his neurodiversity through reading or exercising. He admits that he suffers from anxiety and takes a natural antidepressant when life is particularly challenging. 

The main thing is he has learnt to not self-criticise himself and be kinder to himself, such as organising lunch with Volker ;-) It’s about self-compassion. Btw, we had that lunch recently and it was great to see you in person (Volker).

We hope this episode draws more awareness so parents know the warning signs and symptoms to look out for.

However the main message is - if your child isn’t engaged with school, it doesn’t mean they don’t have any prospects ahead of them. They just have different strengths and talents.

If you want to get in touch with Mick, please connect with him on Linkedin or go via his website:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickrigby/

www.yodelmobile.com

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