Six Positive Characteristics of Dyslexia

People with dyslexia struggle with reading, writing, and mental math because of the way their brains are wired. But that same wiring gives them benefits.
Research has shown that dyslexics shine in many ways. They tend to be exceptional at seeing the big picture, creative problem-solving, and managing people and resources.
Businesses can benefit from boosting their neuro-diversity by including dyslexics in their workforce.
As mega-successful dyslexic entrepreneur Richard Branson put it in a tweet:
6 Dyslexia Strengths or "Supperpowers"
While I was working on the graphics for this post, I spelt "superpower" wrong. When I finally noticed it was wrong, I decided it was very appropriate to leave it that way since we're talking about people and brains that find spelling difficult.
The dyslexics' 6 supperpowers:
- Imagining
- Visualizing
- Communicating
- Reasoning
- Connecting
- Exploring
Dyslexia Supperpower #1: Imagining
Dyslexics see things differently. They tend to be creatives. They don't have to be pushed to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box is their automatic setting.
“I performed poorly at school – when I attended, that is – and was perceived as stupid because of my dyslexia. I still have trouble reading.”
Tommy Hilfiger, Men's Clothing Designer
This supperpower put into action:
Dyslexia Supperpower #2: Visualizing
Dyslexics' tendency toward visualization strength is another of their supperpowers that makes them creative not only in the arts and sports but in all endeavors that benefit from flexible thinking.
The dyslexic brain tends to see the whole picture.
--Matthew H. Schneps, Harvard University
“I recognized that I had dyslexia and then I realized I had this gift for imaging. I live in a world of patterns and images, and I see things that no one else sees. Because of dyslexia, I can see these patterns.”
“You can’t overcome it (dyslexia); you can work around it and make it work for you, but it never goes away. That’s probably a good thing, because if dyslexia went away, then the other gifts would go away too.”
--Beryl Benacerraf, M.D.This supperpower put into action:
Dyslexia Supperpower #3: Communicating
While spelling and reading aren't in the dyslexics wheelhouse, they tend to excel at verbal communication and breaking ideas down to help others understand complex concepts.
One of our greatest storytellers, Steven Spielberg, is dyslexic:
“I was unable to read for at least two years — I was two years behind the rest of my class. And, of course, I went through what everybody goes through — teasing… The teasing led to a lot of other problems I was having in school, but it all stemmed from the fact that I was embarrassed to stand up in front of the class and read.”
This supperpower put into action:
Dyslexia Supperpower #4: Reasoning
While dyslexics usually struggle to write an essay or pass a written test, they tend to be great at learning in non-written ways, understanding concepts, and solving problems.
Among famous dyslexic scientists are Stephen Hawking, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Carol W. Greider (an American molecular biologist who received the Noble Prize in 2009 for discoveries about chromosomes.)
This supperpower put into action:
Dyslexia Supperpower #5: Connecting
Dyslexics tend to have great people skills. This may in part be a result of the difficulties they endured trying to survive their school years when they lived in constant fear of being asked to read out loud and where self-worth is heavily tied to how well you can pass a written test.
American presidents John Kennedy and George Washington were dyslexic, as is TV host Jay Leno.
This supperpower put into action:
Dyslexia Supperpower #6: Exploring
Dyslexic people tend to be curious passionate seekers of information and understanding of how things work.
In many ways this supperpower drives the others and gives them a megaboost.
This supperpower put into action:
Many people with dyslexia deal with stress and anxiety because of the challenges of struggling with school.
Check out my products for helping with anxiety and emotional detox:
- Ann Silvers
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