Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words. It affects around 1 in 5 people globally. While dyslexia is often viewed as a challenge or disadvantage, research has shown there are also some strengths and abilities associated with the dyslexic brain.
Advantages in creative thinking
One of the key advantages proposed for dyslexic individuals is in creative thinking. Some research has suggested that people with dyslexia employ different cognitive processes and utilize more areas of the brain when performing language tasks. This may lead to strengths in holistic, visual, and multidimensional thinking. Dyslexics are thought to excel at seeing the “big picture” and grasping concepts from different perspectives.
Studies have shown dyslexics perform better at tasks involving conceptualizing new ways to combine shapes and objects. They also do well at finding novel solutions to problems. One study found that 35% of students at art colleges had dyslexia compared to around 10% in the general population.
Famous dyslexic creators and innovators include writers Agatha Christie and F Scott Fitzgerald, artist Pablo Picasso, inventor Thomas Edison, scientist Albert Einstein, and entrepreneur Richard Branson. Studies suggest there could be a link between the dyslexic cognitive style and out-of-the-box thinking that contributes to creativity and imagination.
Visual and spatial abilities
People with dyslexia often have strengths in visual-spatial skills and picture thinking. Spatial intelligence is the ability to perceive the world accurately and mentally manipulate objects. Dyslexics may have enhanced abilities to think in 3D and recreate images, designs, and structures in their mind’s eye.
Research suggests dyslexics score higher on tests of visual-spatial reasoning, such as mental rotation and spatial memory tasks. They utilize different brain areas and cognitive strategies to complete these tests compared to non-dyslexics. Enhanced spatial abilities could contribute to talents in fields like architecture, engineering, visual arts, construction, and design.
Logical reasoning and problem-solving
While language-based tasks like reading and writing pose challenges, individuals with dyslexia are capable in other aspects of cognition. In fact, studies suggest people with dyslexia are better at logical reasoning compared to their non-dyslexic peers.
In one study, dyslexic children performed significantly better on tests of inductive and deductive logic. They were more skilled at reasoning patterns, analogies, categories, and number sequences. The researchers theorized that the dyslexic brain compensates by developing greater logical abilities.
People with dyslexia also utilize different strategies for remembering information and solving problems. They tend to identify salient patterns, associations, and causal relationships rather than relying on rote memorization. These cognitive tendencies may lead to aptitudes for big-picture reasoning and finding solutions.
Spatial reasoning test performance
| Group | Mean score (out of 20) |
|---|---|
| Dyslexic | 15.2 |
| Non-dyslexic | 11.7 |
This table shows data from a study that gave groups of dyslexic and non-dyslexic children a spatial reasoning test. The dyslexic group scored significantly higher on average.
Enhanced oral skills
While dyslexia involves struggles with written language, oral abilities are often unaffected or may even be strong. Dyslexics are thought to develop good verbal compensatory strategies to aid communication and comprehension when reading poses challenges.
Studies have found children with dyslexia display better oral vocabulary knowledge and verbal fluency compared to reading-matched controls. Phonological processing weaknesses in dyslexia lead individuals to rely more heavily on semantic information and oral language skills. Enhanced oral abilities may lead to talents in fields relying on verbal expression like teaching, counseling, politics, and acting.
Oral language test performance
| Group | Vocabulary test score (out of 45) | Verbal fluency score (words in 1 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Dyslexic | 35 | 17 |
| Reading-level match | 29 | 12 |
This table displays data from a study comparing oral language abilities between dyslexic children and controls matched by reading level. The dyslexic group scored higher on tests of vocabulary knowledge and verbal fluency.
Enhanced personal qualities
Dealing with the challenges of dyslexia can lead individuals to develop positive personality traits and coping strategies. These include determination, resilience, persistence, self-reliance, and ingenuity. Many dyslexics demonstrate perceptiveness about themselves and society from struggling with learning differences.
Having to find alternative strategies and work harder academically means dyslexics often develop good time management and organizational skills. Studies suggest they score higher on measures of empathy compared to non-dyslexics. Learning to accept and embrace neurodiversity equips dyslexics with self-awareness and compassion.
Traits associated with dyslexia
- Determination
- Resilience
- Persistence
- Ingenuity
- Empathy
- Self-awareness
This list displays some of the positive personality traits and qualities often associated with dyslexia resulting from coping with learning challenges.
Career strengths and talents
The differences in thinking and information processing associated with the dyslexic profile can lead to strengths in various career fields. Visual-spatial abilities aid with arts, graphic design, architecture, and engineering. Enhanced insight supports careers in counseling, teaching and social work. Logic and problem-solving provide advantages in computer science, law, forensics and medicine.
Dyslexics are overrepresented in fields like entrepreneurship and technology. Famous innovators such as Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Charles Schwab have attributed some of their success to dyslexic perspectives. Jobs spoke of the dyslexic ability to “think different” as vital at Apple. Research suggests dyslexics excel at seeing possibilities and patterns others may miss.
With appropriate support and self-understanding, those with dyslexia have the potential to achieve great success in many occupational fields. Capitalizing on creative, verbal, logical and visual-spatial talents allows dyslexics to contribute unique and valuable abilities.
Fields where dyslexic talents provide advantages
- Entrepreneurship
- Technology and engineering
- Architecture and design
- Art and graphic design
- Counseling and teaching
This list indicates some of the career fields where the cognitive and personal strengths typical of dyslexia can provide talents and abilities.
Conclusion
Far from being solely a disadvantage, emerging research reveals dyslexia also has surprising associated strengths. Dyslexic tendencies in thinking, problem-solving, reasoning, spatial abilities, oral skills and personality provide advantages. Capitalizing on these talents by understanding neurodiversity prepares dyslexics to flourish in education and enrich many fields of employment.