Strengths of Dyslexia
When someone mentions the word “Dyslexia” people usually think of someone who finds it hard to read and spell, reverses their letters, are disorganised or forgetful. What they don’t think about are the advantages that dyslexics have over non-dyslexics

Specific Strengths

Research has highlighted some positive aspects to being dyslexic:

• Great at visual thinking- thinking in pictures
• Fast problem solvers, able to think laterally
• Excellent trouble-shooters
• They are intuitive- good at reading people
• Verbally articulate- great communicators
• Creative- so many dyslexics are employed as designers, artists, actors, chefs
• Spatially talented many dyslexics are employed as engineers, architects, designers, artists, mathematicians, physicists, physicians (esp. Surgeons and orthopaedists), and dentists.
• Dyslexic people frequently enjoy above average physical co-ordination skills

Dyslexia is not a Result of low Intelligence

Dyslexia is the result of a neurological difference; however it is not an intellectual disability. Dyslexia occurs at all levels of intelligence, average, above average, and highly gifted. It is most commonly characterised by difficulties with learning to read, write and spell and one of the biggest barriers to a dyslexic child becoming successful when they leave school is the lack of confidence that has built up through being told that they are lazy, a day dreamer, careless. They lose self esteem through failing tests that depend so heavily on the ability to read and spell.

Famous People who are Dyslexic

There is no cure for dyslexia however, with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate help, so much can be done to significantly improve reading, spelling and writing ability and to provide strategies to help a dyslexic person cope well at home, school, further education or at work. A dyslexic person can live a rewarding life and enjoy a successful career, just like a non-dyslexic person.

There are thousands of examples of well-known dyslexic people who have achieved this, including:

Albert Einstein – He could not talk until the age of four and did not learn to read until he was nine. His teachers considered him slow, unsociable and a dreamer.

Richard Branson-School was a nightmare for him. His dyslexia embarrassed him and he was sure he failed the standard Intelligence tests. However what the tests didn’t measure was Richard’s passion and ambition, his ability to connect with people and encourage them to chase their dreams.

Other Famous Dyslexic People include:

• Robin Williams
• Tom Cruise
• Keanu Reeves
• Kiera Knightley
• Billy Bob Thornton
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Michael Faraday
• Pablo Picasso
• Andy Warhol
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Jessica Watson
• Steve Redgrave
• Muhammad Ali
• Agatha Christie
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Winston Churchill
• Thomas Edison
• John Lennon
• Henry Winkler
• Susan Hampshire
• Cher Alexander
• Graham Bell