People with dyslexia struggle with reading, writing, spelling, 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, creativity, problem-solving, and managing people and resources. This is just a partial list of ways dyslexic people excel. 

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: 

10 Key Facts About Dyslexia

Dyslexic People's Challenges, Frustrations, and Fears

Before getting into the positive side of dyslexia, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges. 

A child's job is to go to school every day and read and write. When those skills are difficult, life is difficult. It's often excruciatingly hard on self-esteem. The gap between what they know and what they can get across in writing can be large and frustrating. 

The challenges don't end when their academic career is over, reading and writing remain a big part of life beyond school. And the self-esteem impact often lingers into adulthood undermining self-confidence.

If they find ways to mitigate the reading and writing challenges and venture into arenas where they can use their assets, they can thrive. 

“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 

Director Steven Spielberg, was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult. He talks about his childhood struggles and ways of compensating in a 2012 video interview:

“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.”

6 Dyslexia Strengths or Superpowers

The UK-based organization Made By Dyslexia I mentioned earlier has explored how dyslexic individuals think.

They identified six ways that dyslexic brain wiring leads to unique strengths and perspectives—areas where dyslexic people often have an edge.

Their findings are shared on their website, in reports such as The value of dyslexia 1: Dyslexic strengths and the changing world of work, and The value of dyslexia 2:  Dyslexic capability and organisations of the future, as well as in their founder Kate Griggs' books. 

The dyslexics' 6 superpowers they identified:

1. Imagining
2. Visualizing
3. Communicating
4. Reasoning
5. Connecting
6. Exploring

There is a lot of overlap in these categories. For example, creativity gets mentioned often as Grigg's explanations each of the strengths. 

It's not that every dyslexic person excels in all six of these ways—each individual has their own unique mix of talents and strengths.

I'll expand on each of the superpowers using my understanding of Griggs' work and my experience raising and mothering two dyslexic children who are now adults. 

More on Kate Giggs and Made By Dyslexia      Kate Griggs is the founder and CEO of Made By Dyslexia, a UK-based charity with a global reach. The organization's homepage says that it "is a global charity led by successful dyslexics. We are the world's largest community of dyslexic people and their allies." Kate is dyslexic herself and an impressive powerhouse in helping the world understand the pluses of the dyslexic mind.  Her books about dyslexia include a children's book, Xtraordinary People, and the adult book I mentioned earlier, This Is Dyslexia: The definitive guide to the untapped power of dyslexic thinking and its vital role in our future. She has created classes to help teachers and businesses discover best practices for working with dyslexic people, including Empower Dyslexic Thinking in Schools and Empowering Dyslexic Thinking at Work. Made By Dyslexia has a webiste, Youtube channel, DyslexiaU course, very informative series of dyslexics in the workplace reports, and popular podcast: Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking.

Dyslexia Superpower #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. 

84% of dyslexics are above average in Imagining. (MadeByDysleixia.org)

This superpower in action: 

Dyslexia Superpower #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 tasks and situations that benefit from flexible thinking. 

75% of dyslexics are above average in Visualizing. (MadeByDysleixia.org)

The dyslexic brain tends to see the whole picture. 

This superpower in action:

Dyslexia Superpower #3: Communicating

While spelling and reading aren't in the dyslexic's wheelhouse, they tend to excel at verbal communication and breaking ideas down to help others understand complex concepts. 

71% of dyslexics are above average in Communicating. (MadeByDysleixia.org)

MSNBC news host, Stephani Ruhle, only discovered she is dyslexic after her son was diagnosed. "Her advice to every dyslexic is: never give up." See Stephanie Ruhle's Made By Dyslexia interview on YouTube, here. 

 This superpower in action:

Dyslexia Superpower #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.

84% of dyslexics are above average in Reasoning. (MadeByDysleixia.org)

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 superpower in action:

Dyslexia Superpower #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 are actors Henry Winkler, Keira Knightley, and Tom Holland. Made By Dyslexia has a great interview with Kiera Knightley about her dyslexia experience.

This superpower in action:

Dyslexia Superpower #6: Exploring

Dyslexic people tend to be curious, passionate seekers of information and understanding of how things work. 

In many ways this superpower drives the others and gives them a mega-boost. 

84% of dyslexics are above average in Exploring. (MadeByDysleixia.org)

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is dyslexic and has become a global ambassador for Made By Dyslexia. Erin attributes her Dyslexic Thinking for her resilience and determination to fight and win the biggest environmental lawsuit in US history. Erin's Made By Dyslexia interview can be found on YouTube. 

Richard Branson is famous for being an adventurous and inventive entrepreneur. He's also outspoken about his dyslexia and attributes his success to being dyslexic. Here's his Made By Dyslexia interview: RICHARD BRANSON: How to be a dyslexic disruptor.

  This superpower in action: 

Help for Stress, Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem

Many people with dyslexia deal with stress, anxiety, and emotional baggage because of the challenges they experienced with school. 

Check out my books, worksheets, information pages, and recordings for help with anxiety and stress, and my emotional detox meditation recording for letting go of emotional pain:

FAQ: Dyslexia Frequently Asked Questions

What is dyslexia in simple terms?

Dyslexia is a learning difference that makes reading, writing, and spelling harder—even for people with average or above-average intelligence.

Are dyslexic people neurodivergent?

Yes. Their brains are wired differently. This provides some challenges and advantages. 

What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence refers to natural differences in how people’s brains work and process information. It includes conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and others. Being neurodivergent means your brain functions differently from average. 

Who are some famous people with dyslexia?

Some historical figures are believed to have had dyslexia based on descriptions of their learning styles and creative problem-solving:

• Albert Einstein – Theoretical physicist
• Leonardo da Vinci – Inventor and artist
• Thomas Edison – Inventor
• Alan Turing – Mathematician and WWII codebreaker
• Pablo Picasso – Painter and sculptor

Many well-known individuals have publicly shared their experiences with dyslexia—openly discussing both the challenges they've faced and the unique strengths that have helped them succeed. Public figures who have shared their stories include:

• Richard Branson – Entrepreneur
• Steven Spielberg – Filmmaker
• Cher – Singer and actor
• Tommy Hilfiger – Fashion designer
• Alex Green – Football player
• Whoopi Goldberg – Actor and talk show host
• Stephanie Ruhle – News anchor
• Henry Winkler – Actor 
• Carol W. Greider – Nobel Prize-winning scientist
• Tom Holland – Actor
• Magic Johnson – Basketball player
• Stephen J. Cannell – TV writer/producer
• Octavia Spencer – Actor
• Robin Williams – Comedian and actor
• Erin Brockovich – Environmental activist
• Anderson Cooper – News anchor
• Keira Knightley – Actor
• Keanu Reeves – Actor

These individuals highlight the wide range of achievement possible with dyslexic thinking—from science and innovation to storytelling, leadership, sports, and the arts.

How do I know if my child has dyslexia?

Common signs include trouble with reading fluency, difficulty spelling, avoiding reading aloud, and struggling to sound out words.

Is dyslexia a sign of low intelligence?

No. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence. Many people with dyslexia are highly creative, resourceful, and successful.

Is dyslexia a learning disability?

Yes, dyslexia is considered a learning disability because it affects skills like reading, writing, and spelling. In schools and workplaces, this classification helps ensure access to support and accommodations—such as extra time on tests, assistive technology, or specialized instruction. At the same time, dyslexia is also a learning difference that often comes with strengths in creativity, reasoning, and big-picture thinking.

What’s the difference between a learning disability and a learning difference?

A learning disability is a clinical or legal term used in schools and workplaces to describe difficulties with specific academic skills—like reading, writing, or math—that require specialized support or accommodations. Dyslexia, for example, is classified as a learning disability because it affects reading and writing.

A learning difference is a more inclusive and empowering term. It focuses on the idea that people learn in different ways—not that something is “wrong” with how they learn. While someone with a learning disability may face challenges, they often have unique strengths in areas like creativity, problem-solving, or big-picture thinking.

In short: Learning disability is about access to services, while learning difference is about honoring diverse ways of thinking and learning.

What are some strengths of people with dyslexia?

Many dyslexics are great at big-picture thinking, creativity, storytelling, spatial reasoning, and innovation.

Can you be good at math and still have dyslexia?

Yes. While dyslexia affects language-based skills like reading and writing, many dyslexics excel in math, problem-solving, and visual thinking.

Is dyslexia the same as a reading disability?

Dyslexia is a type of reading disability, but it's a specific one that affects how the brain processes written language.

Can dyslexia be cured?

Dyslexia is not something to “cure,” but with support, strategies, and accommodations, people with dyslexia can thrive academically and professionally.

Is dyslexia genetic?

Yes, dyslexia often runs in families. If a parent or sibling has it, there’s a higher chance another family member will too.

What are the best fonts and colors to use in graphics for dyslexic readers?

Fonts that are clean, simple, and sans-serif—such as Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma—tend to be easier for dyslexic readers to process because they reduce visual crowding and letter confusion.

A popular option designed specifically for dyslexic readers is OpenDyslexic. This font features heavier bottoms on letters to help prevent flipping or reversing, and wider letter spacing to make words easier to track. Some readers find it helpful, though preferences vary. (The titles on the graphics used for this post are OpenDyslexic.)

For colors, stick with high-contrast combinations, like dark text on a light background. Avoid using red-green or blue-purple pairings, which can be difficult to differentiate. Off-white, soft gray, or cream backgrounds are often easier on the eyes than pure white.

What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects a person’s ability to write and/or spell. It can co-occur with dyslexia. 

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