It’s true that dyslexia often presents students with academic challenges. But the “learning disability” facet of dyslexia is only a small part of it. There are so many other characteristics of a dyslexic brain, and many of them are gifts. Here are some of the strengths many dyslexics share:
Outside-the-Box Thinkers
Individuals with dyslexia tend to approach problems and situations differently than most. This means that when individuals without dyslexia struggle to come up with a plan, dyslexics may find a way that no one’s thought of yet.
See the Bigger Picture, Figuratively and Literally
The dyslexic mind has a unique ability to think about situations holistically. While people with dyslexia do sometimes miss details, they are able to see the world through a “wide angle lens,” so to speak. And dyslexics also have better peripheral vision than most. This is why it can be difficult for them to visually discriminate between letters and words, which in turn, makes it difficult to read.
Highly Creative
Most people with dyslexia are extremely creative. While scientists have not yet proven a link between dyslexia and increased creativity (they’re working on it!), anecdotally it appears that many people with dyslexia do tend to be extra creative. It’s also true that a lot of people with dyslexia gravitate toward the fields of visual arts, performing arts, architecture, and design.
Excellent Problem Solvers
Related to their ability to think “outside the box,” it’s also true that many dyslexics have gone on to start and run huge businesses. A third of all entrepreneurs have dyslexia, which shows a fairly clear connection between dyslexia and the skills needed to run a successful business.
Strong Visual-Spatial Skills
Many parents of children with dyslexia report observing excellent visual-spatial skills. This is likely another explanation for the high representation of dyslexics in visual fields like design. When a person has strong visual-spatial reasoning, they are able to visualize objects in ways that many others can’t. They are also able to reason about proportions and ratios with surprising accuracy, and sometimes even have a photographic memory.
High Emotional Intelligence
One of the biggest strengths of kids with dyslexia is their huge capacity for emotions. This can be both a tremendous advantage and a burden. When kids don’t know how to regulate and manage their emotions, they can easily become overwhelmed and react in ways that are not appropriate. But they also have the ability to deeply connect and empathize with others. For this reason, they make excellent mediators and friends. And their ability to see the big picture allows them to explore situations from multiple angles and perspectives.
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