Why the dyslexic brain is misunderstood

How dyslexia is a differently organized brain.

The brain isn’t naturally wired to read. It’s a task that requires explicit instruction for our brains to activate different areas, including those that control vision, sound, and meaning. For fluent readers, the result is a complicated reading circuit — connected by neural pathways of white matter — to allow us to process words within milliseconds. But this reading circuit looks different for people with dyslexia.

For decades, the research was largely focused on how this different brain organization often resulted in delays and difficulty in areas like reading, spelling, and grammar. And today, there continues to be stigma and misconceptions around a dyslexia diagnosis.

But the challenges of dyslexia often overshadow another part of the picture. Research has repeatedly shown dyslexia is also associated with specific cognitive strengths. These include visuo-spatial processing, narrative memory, problem-solving, and reasoning. While there is still a lot to learn about these advantages and how they work, in the piece above we unpack what we know about dyslexia, and what many studies have concluded about these strengths.

This perspective could be critical — not just for the roughly 20 percent of people who have dyslexia — but for the colleagues, peers, and educators who can better empower dyslexic thinking and better understand neurodiversity.

SOURCES:
On the reading brain:

Studies:

ADDITIONAL READING:

Note: The headline on this piece has been updated.
Previous headline: The benefits of dyslexic thinking

[srose]

I think the hardest thing for ppl with dyslexia is getting past the trauma of feeling inadequate during early school years. It can make u self-conscious and anxious around school as an adult.

[willthethe]

I'm dyslexic and went to a school for kids with dyslexia and ADHD for two years in 3rd grade because I still couldn't read. That place changed my life. They essentially taught us exactly what this video says, and gave tutoring specifically on phonetic spelling. I cannot overemphasizes the impact that framing dyslexia as a uniqueness not a disability had on my life. It tears me up thinking about all the kids trapped with a system of education that doesn't work for them.

[OddlingCore]

Dyslexics woke up to hope this morning. Love my fellow dyslexians.

[edwinjohn]

A small correction. Broca's area is the Motor speech area. It's involved in creating meaningful sounds; it's the bridge between thinking a word and actually physically saying it. The part of brain responsible for comprehension of heard words is actually Wernicke's area. And the part of brain responsible for imagining and understanding the written form of words (or the visual word form area, as mentioned in the video) is the Dejerine's area.

[Maggiewuvsrufus]

Ppl who grew up undiagnosed probably know how bad it was growing up w it in a school system. I was a smart kid who could barely make a c in some of my classes, cried in every math class since second grade, never learned grammar, but I could barely try in a foreign language class and make an A. These videos make the shame I still hold less bad for all the “bad parts”. Appreciate you.

[arachnid]

My cousin has severe dyslexia. She struggled for years in school, as reading is a gateway to all school subjects. We were very close growing up, and this effected her self esteem greatly. Eventually, her mom pulled her to homeschool and she was able to accommodate her daughter's learning needs. My cousin got to spend time pursuing the things she was great at too. She is super smart, she just wasn't built for the school system. She ended up getting her university degree in violin from a prestigious university!

[BuildinWings]

My wife is dyslexic, this was amazing work (and validating to hear). She's a sculptor and designer with immense talent, and now I understand a little more about how her brain works. PLEASE do a series of these for other misunderstood conditions - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Savant Syndrome, etc.

[claywilking]

I'm a dyslexic engineering student, and as freshmen, we took a spatial visualization test. Which is basically turning 2D pictures of 3D shapes in your head, I am the only one that I know of that got 100%, as well as finishing 1st which was new to me since I am normally one of the last people done with a test. So this would explain a lot.

[thomasr.gaskin]

Thank you for this video. I am dyslexic, I was diagnosed at 7 and was in the lower classes at school. Now, 36 I am an author and studying at university with 95% in my previous assignment. I am going on to spread the positivity of dyslexia and support other people to play to their strengths.

[iriskrane]

I’m dyslexic and I feel so much more confident that I can add to a team. I’m in university to go into graphic design, and this really does give me confidence that I can contribute to a team in more useful ways

[pravesh]

One of my friends is dyslexic. I can definitely say that she is an amazing person, full of insights, compassion and so rational.

[TheRealSpeedWolf]

As a person with dyslexia, I have traditionally regarded this condition as a hindrance, albeit in some respects I still do. However, I have come to appreciate that dyslexia confers certain unique advantages. Specifically, my dyslexia allows me to perform tasks that I never knew others couldn't do. For instance, I can visualize an object, such as an engine, and deconstruct it mentally in three dimensions. This ability enhances my capacity to diagnose and repair mechanical issues, making me more adept in these areas than individuals who do not share my condition, based on my personal experience.

[ashatalova]

I was never told that I was dyslexic, instead my mom always told me that I was blessed with a different and unique brain that I should cherish. I am so grateful for that! I never felt cursed or ashamed when taking classes with a speech therapist ❤

[ImBalance]

Do more of these videos for other forms of misunderstood neurodiversity -- ADHD, OCD, dyspraxia, etc.

[ilypirli]

One more thing about dyslexics is that we have to translate our thoughts (which is in visual form) into words and it costs more mental energy than neurotypical people. I was shocked that people really can think with words.

[SIC]

One of my sibling are dyslexic, while we are three who aren't. The strengths are totally on point: She is great with all animals, is a great horse rider, has two educations both in practical areas, outgoing, resilient, outdoor-person, go-getter, energetic.
While us other three are the typical introvert, dreaming, procrastinating, troubled academics.
She used to feel that her lack of school skills made her inferior, but I always admired how good she is at persevering at anything and how good she is with all living beings, animals and humans alike. I think she in many ways drew the long straw.

[ladykarolyn]

My friend's mom (a friend I've known since we were kids) has dyslexia, and that woman can do crafty stuff the likes of which I'll never have the gumption to attempt. Knitting, crocheting, sewing, leather working-- she's always picking up new skills. And with all these, she always achieves a high level of skill. Her sweaters look professional; she made a historically accurate 1860s dress, including constructing the hoop skirt and all the undergarments; she made my mom's current purse. All this to say, here's to all you dyslexic badasses. You can do stuff I may never achieve!

[LordBubbly]

I have Dyslexia & ADHD. I would love to see a video where they talk about how it works when you have both. Finding out the advantages and disadvantages would be very helpful

[jaz]

I got diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school. I’ve never had trouble reading and love writing stories. Never had trouble with numbers and love math. My spatial awareness is way too good, but when it comes to spelling, I have so much trouble. I’m saying the word but the letters aren’t forming. Currently an engineer at the school of my dreams and can’t spell words well. xD

[emfrymcfly]

I’m dyslexic as a kid I struggle with reading, but now as an adult I’ve gotten into comics and through reading comics my reading has improved greatly. Last year I read well over 20 books. My reading isn’t perfect but I’ve found by putting in the work it pays off