Dyslexia is your superpower!

Dyslexia is your superpower

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Dyslexia is a neurological difference that creates an advantage with big picture thinking, spatial awareness, and creativity. Did you know that many of the very best scientists - like Albert Einstein - entrepreneurs - such as IBM's Thomas Watson - inventors - like Thomas Edison - and great political leaders - like Churchill - are dyslexic?

I have been working with Moussa who is incredibly creative, has a gift for working with tech and a passion for science. Like many other bright capable students with dyslexia, he struggles with reading comprehension, writing and spelling which people sadly assume is due to a lack of intelligence. Dyslexia, however, is just a different kind of wiring. Using the right tools, understanding, and encouragement, dyslexic students don't just catch up, they excel and often outpace their peers. In just a few months, I have seen Moussa go from struggling to read a paragraph to finding joy in poetry and writing.

Rethinking Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects approximately 10–20% of the population and is often misunderstood. Traditional definitions focus on deficits in reading or spelling. But scientific research tells a different story: dyslexic brains are organized in a unique way that favors big-picture thinking, strong spatial awareness, and creativity.  As a result, dyslexic individuals tend to think laterally, connect ideas across disciplines, and see patterns where others don’t. This is why a disproportionately high number of successful entrepreneurs, architects, and inventors are dyslexic.

The Hidden Challenge—and the Hidden Gift

Reading is often one of the first tasks where dyslexic learners begin to struggle. Many report feeling "different" as early as age 6 or 7, when classmates begin reading fluently and they cannot. Without support, this can lead to discouragement, anxiety, and a deep fear of being "less than."

But here’s what I’ve learned: when you approach dyslexia with patience and the right strategies, the transformation can be remarkable. I’ve seen students move from being unable to read a simple paragraph to writing full essays, analyzing literature, and finding joy in self-expression. And often, that transformation doesn’t come from simply trying harder—it comes from trying differently.

What Works: Tools and Strategies That Make a Difference

For dyslexic learners, the goal isn’t to force traditional methods—it’s to tap into their strengths while supporting areas of difficulty. Here’s what works:

• Audiobooks and read-alouds: Students with dyslexia often have high listening comprehension. Providing access to quality literature through audio builds vocabulary, narrative structure, and confidence.

• Multisensory instruction: Using visual, kinesthetic, and auditory tools—like building letters from clay or acting out stories—makes abstract concepts more concrete.

• Dictation and speech-to-text tools: These help students express their ideas without getting stuck on spelling or handwriting challenges.

• Scaffolded writing programs: using structured programs that break writing into manageable steps—key word outlines, paragraph modeling, and sentence starters—ease the stress of facing a blank page.

• Flexible pacing and customized pathways: Dyslexic students thrive when they are given time to process information and a learning path that reflects their abilities—not just their challenges.

Encouragement Makes the Difference

One of the most powerful things a parent or teacher can do is to focus on what the student can do—not just what they struggle with. Dyslexic learners may need more time to master reading and spelling, but they often excel at visual reasoning, storytelling, or engineering tasks.

Take the time to celebrate your student's gifts. When your child hears, “You are a strong thinker. You just learn differently,” their self-image begins to shift—and that confidence becomes the foundation for future success. If your child struggles with reading or spelling, it doesn’t mean they’re behind—it means they need a different approach. With the right support, dyslexic learners can become confident readers, expressive writers, and powerful thinkers.