Six Positive Characteristics of Dyslexia

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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:

"Dyslexic people hold a unique set of skills that will be really important to the future of business

– the ability to think flexibly, creatively, and solve really complex problems."

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

"If a child is dyslexic, can he be a good writer?

That’s a good question, because many people confuse difficulties in reading and the ability to write.

In fact, some of the most accomplished writers that we know happen to be dyslexic.

For example, John Irving, he won an Academy Award for the Cider House Rules, is dyslexic.

Stephen J. Cannell, who wrote the television series the A-Team and the Rockford Files, is also dyslexic.

He always likes to make people understand that dyslexia affects your ability to read and to spell, but not to have an imagination and be creative."

- Donna Ricks interview of Sally Shawitz for First Voice.

September 1, 2004

The benefits of being dyslexic, Dyslexic Superpower #1

This supperpower put into action:

The benefits of being dyslexic, Dyslexic Superpower #1

Dyslexia Supperpower #2: Visualizing

Dyslexics' tendency toward visualization strength is another of their superpowers 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.

“It’s as if people with dyslexia tend to use a wide-angle lens to take in the world,

while others tend to use a telephoto,

each is best at revealing different kinds of detail.”
--Matthew H. Schneps, Harvard University

Their power to visualize also makes dyslexic people exceptional at spatial reasoning, detecting patterns, and noticing when things are out of place. British mathematician Alan Turing, who broke Nazi Germany's secret code, was dyslexic.

“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.

World-renowned radiologist and expert in ultrasound