I think you're overestimating the quality of American education. 40% of graduates can't read or write.
There's only one of him, not 40% of my coworkers, but these people can be employed and maintain employment.
In hindsight I suspect she was dyslexic and having this mental map was her workaround for reading a bunch of buttons with unfamiliar words without clear contexts.
People are very good at figuring out ways to get by in their day to day and get around various personal challenges and limitations. Sometimes so good, you don't even realize they're doing it!