Dyslexia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, speaking, and sometimes math. It affects around 5-10% of the population and is often viewed as a disability or learning deficit. However, dyslexia also comes with many strengths and advantages. When supported appropriately, dyslexics can thrive academically and excel in many fields. This article will explore some of the key advantages that come with dyslexia.
Advantage 1: Creativity
One of the most notable strengths associated with dyslexia is creativity. Multiple studies have found that dyslexics tend to be highly creative thinkers and problem solvers. They often think in pictures and excel at visual-spatial skills. Dyslexics tend to be skilled at visual arts, design, architecture, and fields that utilize visual-spatial reasoning like engineering. Famous dyslexic artists and inventors include Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison.
Dyslexics are often excellent 3D thinkers and have the ability to conceptualize solutions and ideas. Their creativity stems from the fact that their brains are wired differently. Dyslexics utilize more right-brain processes which control creativity, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and visualization. They also access more widespread brain regions which allows them to make novel connections between ideas.
Some key creativity advantages that dyslexics exhibit include:
- Strength with visual-spatial skills
- Ability to think in pictures and concepts
- Innovative problem-solving and “out of the box” thinking
- Seeing things from different perspectives
- Making connections between disparate ideas
When given the right tools and opportunities to unlock their creativity, dyslexics can thrive in many creative fields like art, architecture, design, writing, acting, engineering and entrepreneurship. Famous dyslexics include inventors, artists, entrepreneurs and creativity innovators.
Advantage 2:verbal reasoning
In addition to visual strengths, many dyslexics also excel in verbal reasoning and critical thinking skills. While they may struggle with reading and writing, dyslexics often have excellent comprehension when information is presented verbally. They tend to have strong listening skills and oral vocabulary knowledge.
Dyslexics often thrive in hands-on learning environments where verbal instruction and discussion is utilized. They pick up concepts quickly when they can engage in rich conversations, storytelling, and experiential learning activities. Their verbal reasoning skills allow them to understand nuances, think critically, and detect patterns in spoken information.
Some common verbal/auditory strengths that dyslexics possess include:
- Strong listening and comprehension skills
- Ability to understand inferred meanings in conversations
- Drawing connections between verbal concepts and narratives
- Following complex logical reasoning in verbal form
- Developing inferences and predictions based on verbal information
Dyslexics often thrive in occupations that utilize verbal critical thinking like law, counseling, teaching, broadcasting, acting, and other fields involving interpersonal engagement through speaking.
Advantage 3: Problem-solving
Dyslexics frequently excel at recognizing patterns and solving problems in innovative ways. Their different brain wiring allows them to see solutions that other linear thinkers may miss. Dyslexics make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts and take a holistic big picture viewpoint.
They tend to excel at understanding systems, troubleshooting problems, and finding creative workarounds. Some of the problem-solving strengths associated with dyslexia include:
- Identifying patterns and relationships between concepts
- Ability to visualize solutions and strategies
- Multi-dimensional thinking from many angles
- Conceptualizing the “big picture” and systems thinking
- Innovative thinking and inventing novel solutions
Dyslexics often thrive in technical fields like engineering, technology, mechanics, and construction trades where excellent spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills are needed. Famous dyslexic inventors and entrepreneurs like Alexander Graham Bell and Richard Branson exemplify how dyslexics can leverage their problem-solving strengths.
Advantage 4: Persistence and resilience
Dealing with dyslexia from a young age equips people with excellent persistence, grit, and resilience. Dyslexics are used to overcoming obstacles and thinking outside the box to achieve success. They build determination and inner strength by navigating challenges.
Some of the key persistence and resilience advantages that dyslexics develop include:
- Determination to solve problems despite difficulties
- Willingness to try multiple strategies to accomplish a task
- Inner strength and perseverance cultivated from overcoming dyslexia challenges
- Ability to deal with setbacks and reframe negative situations into opportunities for growth
- Persistence when faced with tasks requiring intense focus and effort
This determination and “can do” mindset propels dyslexics forward in their careers. Resilience is a crucial advantage that gives dyslexics the tenacity to overcome any obstacles in their path and achieve success.
Advantage 5: Interpersonal skills
Dyslexics are often highly intuitive people with excellent interpersonal skills. They tend to be empathetic, compassionate, and adept at reading other people’s emotions. Dyslexics often have strong emotional intelligence (EQ). They are attuned to subtle social cues and unspoken needs in human interaction.
Some of the interpersonal strengths that dyslexics commonly exhibit include:
- Reading emotional cues and body language well
- Intuition and empathy
- Ability to listen actively and relate to others
- Understanding different perspectives
- Connecting easily with diverse groups of people
These interpersonal abilities serve dyslexics well in fields involving counseling, mentoring, managing, negotiating, healing and customer service. Dyslexics build rapport easily and can motivate and lead groups effectively.
Advantage 6: Big picture, conceptual thinking
One of the hallmark strengths of dyslexia is the ability to grasp the big picture and understand conceptual relationships. Dyslexics see the forest rather than just the trees. They excel at inductive reasoning and inferring principles from observations.
Some of the big picture, conceptual strengths that dyslexics exhibit include:
- Identifying meaningful patterns and connections
- Understanding the broader context and “why” behind facts
- Seeing relationships between disparate ideas
- Thinking inductively and moving from examples to principles
- Developing conceptual frameworks for understanding complex phenomena
This ability to understand systems and see the larger context gives dyslexics an advantage when solving interdisciplinary problems or learning conceptual material. Dyslexic thinkers play an important role in innovating new theories, technologies and philosophies.
Advantage 7: Dynamic and multidimensional thinking
Dyslexics are natural dynamic and multidimensional thinkers. They easily shift between different modes of thought and consider problems from multiple angles. Dyslexics don’t get stuck thinking strictly linearly or one-dimensionally.
Some of the dynamic thinking strengths that dyslexics possess include:
- Shifting perspectives easily to gain a fuller understanding
- Approaching problems flexibly with different strategies
- Multi-sensory learning using visual, auditory and kinesthetic modalities
- Utilizing right and left brain processes for optimal problem-solving
- Mentally rotating objects and concepts to view them from all angles
This flexibility and versatility in thinking strategies gives dyslexics an advantage when tackling multidimensional challenges. The ability to think dynamically across different planes enables dyslexics to excel in fields like business, leadership, architecture, and creative disciplines.
Advantage 8: Innovative entrepreneurial thinking
Many famous entrepreneurs throughout history have been dyslexic thinkers. Dyslexics possess the perfect mindset for entrepreneurship because they think unconventionally and have excellent problem-solving abilities.
Some of the entrepreneurial strengths that dyslexics commonly exhibit include:
- Identifying creative ideas and underserved market needs
- Willing to challenge established ways of doing things
- Comfortable with uncertainty and calculated risk-taking
- Persistence through obstacles, failures and challenges
- Charismatic leadership and convincing communication skills
Famous dyslexic entrepreneurs include pioneer inventor Thomas Edison, billionaire businessman Richard Branson, Saucy by Nature food CEO Levi Roots and prominent entrepreneur Steve Jobs. Dyslexics often thrive creating their own non-traditional learning and working environments tailored to their strengths.
Advantage 9: Spatial reasoning and mechanical skills
Individuals with dyslexia often excel in hands-on fields that involve spatial reasoning like architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing. Dyslexics are naturally good at visualizing objects in 3D and manipulating mechanical systems in their mind.
Some of the spatial and mechanical strengths that dyslexics exhibit include:
- Mentally rotating and manipulating objects
- Understanding diagrams, blueprints and schematics
- Building, fixing and taking things apart
- Excelling at hands-on 3D modeling, sculpture and construction
- Strong tactile and kinesthetic learning abilities
Dyslexics thrive in careers working with tools, operating machinery, designing 3D structures, inventing gadgets, and hands-on creativity. Their spatial reasoning gives them a real advantage in fields involving architecture, mechanics, engineering and construction.
Advantage 10: Athleticism
Interestingly, dyslexics are often drawn to athletic activities and sports. Their strengths with kinesthetic learning, coordination and balance serves them well in physical feats. Famous dyslexic athletes include downhill skier Picabo Street, Olympic swimmer Tracey Wickham and professional golfer Scott Dunlap.
Some of the athletic strengths that dyslexics commonly possess include:
- Excellent balance and coordination
- Advanced spatial awareness
- Adept at physical reaction times and sequencing of movements
- Ability to understand sports tactics and patterns
- Determination to master physical skills through practice
Dyslexics frequently excel in sports that require coordination like skiing, surfing, soccer, gymnastics, golf, and basketball. Their athletic drive supports their persistence in mastering physical abilities.
Key Takeaways
In summary, dyslexia is associated with many strengths and abilities that serve dyslexics well in life. When provided the appropriate learning environment and opportunities, dyslexics can thrive and achieve success in many professional fields. The key advantages that dyslexics possess include:
- Creativity and innovation
- Verbal reasoning and critical thinking
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Persistence and resilience when facing challenges
- Interpersonal and leadership abilities
- Big picture, conceptual thinking skills
- Dynamic and multidimensional thinking styles
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Spatial relations and mechanical aptitude
- Athleticism and physical coordination
Rather than viewing dyslexia as a deficit, it is important to recognize the strengths and abilities that dyslexic thinkers possess. With the proper supports, dyslexia can become an asset that conveys key cognitive advantages. By building environments that harness the strengths of dyslexic minds, we can enable dyslexics to thrive and make significant contributions in education and the workplace.