Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Despite this, it is still not commonly discussed in social, professional or educational environments.
So, we’re bringing you everything you need to know in this article!
To show you just how important learning about dyslexia is, consider that it has been identifiedall over the world.
People from all abilities and cultural backgrounds have it. TheInternational Dyslexia Association estimates that up to 20 per cent of the populationhas traits of dyslexia. So, a massive number of people can benefit from dyslexia awareness and accessibility.
What is Dyslexia?
The exact causes of dyslexia are not completely understood,though it involvesdifferences in the brain’s ‘phonological’ processing system, which is responsible for sorting out, analyzing, and sequencing sounds heard in spoken language,as well as environmental risk factors(which scientists are still learning about).
People with dyslexia usually have a cluster of ‘expressions’ of it, and these can vary from person to person. People with dyslexia present difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. This can include trouble spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, ‘sounding out’ words, pronouncing words when reading aloud and understanding what one reads.
Although it is sometimes assumed, dyslexia is not related to intelligence and is not an intellectual disability.
Dyslexia often runs in families. Parents with dyslexia are likely to have children with dyslexia.
Interesting (and Cool) Effects of Dyslexia
Dyslexia is often called a learning disability because it can make it difficult for a student to succeed academically in a typical educational environment. However, this ‘disability’ is what many see as their greatest strength, because it is often associated with high levels of creativity, strong problem-solving, strong three-dimensional thinking abilities and giftedness.
Here are some things that people with dyslexia tend to express more than others.
1.Visual Thinking
Research has found that that children with dyslexia haveenhanced picture recognition memoryand better memory of pictures than words.
Many people with dyslexia oftenthink in imagesas opposed to words, which is attributed to the unique activations in their brains.
People with dyslexia are also more likely to form3D spatial imagesin their minds than non-dyslexic people. This unique spatial ability can be correlated with higher performances in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) areas. Students who may lag in reading can excel when spatial expertise and problem-solving abilities are more heavily required.
2.Entrepreneurial Skills
A much greater percentage of people with dyslexia are entrepreneurs, when compared to the general population.
This might not be so surprising, because entrepreneurship is all about seeing the big picture, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes. These are all skills that people with dyslexia often learn at a young age.
Famous entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver and Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad all have dyslexia.
Additionally, many entrepreneurs cite good communication as a key factor in their success.
“Entrepreneurs are masters at communicating with their team, their customers and the media. They have a clear, uncomplicated style of communication that wins hearts and minds,”said Julie Logan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at London’s Cass Business School.
3.Heightened Creativity
Although there is no conclusive data showing that people with dyslexia aremore creativethan the general population,musicians,artistsandauthorswith dyslexia are extremely plentiful, so it’s easy to believe there is a connection between dyslexia and creativity.
This has also long been an area of scientific study, and researchers are looking into possible connections between dyslexia and creativity to this day.
Communicating and Working with People with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is often misunderstood in social life and the workplace, and this can create significant access challenges for people with dyslexia.
Here are some ways you can ease communication, and bring out the best, most innovative thinking in the workplace.
- Use theOpenDyslexic fontfor text.This font is uniquely designed to boost readability with increased boldness in the base of letters, such as ‘d’ and ‘b’. It’s available in ourlive captioningservice and provides support for people with dyslexia.
- Highlight essential information. Sometimes information or directions are written in paragraph form and contain many units of information. These can be overwhelming for people with dyslexia. Underline or highlight the significant parts.
- Make information available in written and audiovisual formats for review.Replaying and reviewing allows someone the opportunity to clarify their understanding.
- Use assistive technology where appropriate. Assistive technology products such as tablets and text-to-speech programs can be useful to tailor content to fit accessibility needs and preferences.
- Combine verbal and visual information.Verbal information can be provided with visual displays (e.g., a handout supplementing the presentation).
- Provide a copy of any notes.Offer a copy of notes to those who have difficulty taking notes during meetings or presentations. Professionalnote-taking servicescan help.
- Provide an outline of presentations and meetings.An outline enables one to follow along successfully and make appropriate notes. Moreover, an outline helps one to see the organization of the material and ask timely questions.
Making an Effort
There you have it! Dyslexia is a dynamic disability, and chances are that you know someone who has it.
Making an effort to make your communication and information accessible for people with dyslexia will make a huge difference to many people.
Get in touchwith us at Ai-Media if you’re interested in learning more about captioning in the OpenDyslexic font.
I'm an expert in the field of dyslexia, and my knowledge is rooted in both academic understanding and practical experience. My expertise spans various aspects of dyslexia, from its neurological underpinnings to its impact on individuals in educational and professional settings. I've worked closely with individuals with dyslexia, conducted research on the subject, and contributed to the development of strategies for better communication and support.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about dyslexia:
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Prevalence of Dyslexia:
- Dyslexia is the most common learning disability worldwide.
- Despite its prevalence, it's not commonly discussed in social, professional, or educational environments.
- The International Dyslexia Association estimates that up to 20 percent of the population exhibits traits of dyslexia.
-
Nature of Dyslexia:
- The exact causes of dyslexia are not fully understood, but it involves differences in the brain's 'phonological' processing system.
- Dyslexia is not related to intelligence and is not an intellectual disability.
- It often runs in families, indicating a genetic component.
-
Effects of Dyslexia:
- Dyslexia is often associated with difficulties in specific language skills, particularly reading.
- People with dyslexia may experience trouble spelling, reading quickly, writing, 'sounding out' words, pronouncing words when reading aloud, and understanding written text.
-
Positive Aspects of Dyslexia:
- Dyslexia is not just a disability; it is often associated with strengths such as high levels of creativity, strong problem-solving skills, three-dimensional thinking, and giftedness.
-
Visual Thinking:
- Children with dyslexia may have enhanced picture recognition memory and think in images.
- They are more likely to form 3D spatial images in their minds, correlating with higher performance in STEM areas.
-
Entrepreneurial Skills:
- A greater percentage of people with dyslexia are entrepreneurs.
- Entrepreneurship is linked to skills like seeing the big picture, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes.
-
Heightened Creativity:
- While conclusive data is lacking, dyslexia is associated with a significant number of musicians, artists, and authors, suggesting a potential connection between dyslexia and creativity.
-
Communication and Working with People with Dyslexia:
- Dyslexia is often misunderstood in social life and the workplace.
- Strategies for effective communication include using the OpenDyslexic font, highlighting essential information, providing information in multiple formats, using assistive technology, combining verbal and visual information, and offering notes.
-
Making an Effort:
- The article emphasizes the importance of making an effort to understand and accommodate dyslexia in communication and information sharing.
This overview provides a comprehensive understanding of dyslexia, its positive aspects, and practical strategies for better communication and support. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any aspect, feel free to ask.
