Education / 11 June, 2024 / My Baba

Helping Dyslexic Children Recognise Their Unique Thinking Skills Beyond Exams

Dyslexic brains literally think differently to others, and that’s a good thing! After all, some of the world’s greatest changemakers have been Dyslexic Thinkers, from Thomas Edison inventing the light bulb to Steve Jobs creating the iPhone. Seeing things differently has helped dyslexics invent things we can’t live without, imagine what others couldn’t see and solve problems that others weren’t able to crack.

Dyslexic Thinkers have incredible strengths in creativity, problem-solving and communication skills. Sadly, traditional benchmarking in schools means exams can’t always measure the valuable Dyslexic Thinking skills that dyslexic children have. But knowing they are dyslexic helps them to understand why some things come naturally and others may be tricker.

Dyslexia is a superpower! The most important thing is to help them find what they’re good at – and do lots of it. By focusing on their dyslexic strengths, they can and will go far!

Amazing skills and strengths associated with Dyslexic Thinking:

Imagining

Dyslexic Thinkers are fantastic Imaginers. Seeing the world differently helps dyslexics excel at creating an original piece of work or thinking of new ways of doing things. Dyslexic children often love daydreaming, making up games, imaginary worlds, creating dens and getting lost in their imagination.

When they grow up, Imaginers often become scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, actors or filmmakers. In fact, 40% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic including Sir Richard Branson!

Communicating

Dyslexic Thinkers also have brilliant communication skills. They are great at explaining things to others in a clear and engaging way through storytelling. Dyslexic children might be great explainers, love telling stories and be very persuasive. Being fantastic communicators can help children become journalists, teachers, writers, politicians or campaigners when they grow up.

Reasoning

Dyslexic Thinkers are analytical, which means they are good at spotting patterns in information, thinking through different possibilities, and solving problems. In fact, 84 percent of dyslexics are above average at reasoning. This ability to connect the dots makes dyslexics excellent big-picture thinkers. They can cut through the noise instead of getting stuck in the details.

Exploring

Dyslexics are also ace explorers. They are naturally very curious and love exploring new ideas. Dyslexic children love to know how things are the way they are, they constantly ask “why, why not?”, and challenge norms. This trait is why so many dyslexics have and continue to change the world, like Steve Jobs with the iPhone and Thomas Edison with the lightbulb!

Only 1 in 5 people have these amazing Dyslexic Thinking skills, so dyslexics are incredibly unique and should be proud of their dyslexia! If you’re a parent of a dyslexic child, the most transformative thing you can do is to help them spot their dyslexic strengths, instead of being defined by their challenges. Focusing on things they are naturally good at, instead of what they find tricky, leads Dyslexic Thinkers into jobs they love and lives that are fulfilling.

Expert piece written by Kate Griggs, the founder and CEO of the global charity Made By Dyslexia, host of the Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking podcast and the author of Xtraordinary People (a book for young Dyslexic Thinkers) and This is Dyslexia (a book for adult Dyslexic Thinkers).

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