Strengths of Dyslexia
People with all levels of intelligence can have dyslexia. There are many of the world’s great thinkers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and billionaires that are dyslexic.
A vast range of possibilities and professions are open to people with dyslexia and with the right approach the challenges can become opportunities. The many advantages of successful dyslexics that can be helpful include the following:
Spatial reasoning: According to scientists at the University of East London, young dyslexics are excellent at remembering a virtual environment when compared to non-dyslexics. Therefore it is not uncommon for dyslexics to succeed in fields like engineering, industrial and graphic design, architecture, and construction.
Imaginative: It comes as no surprise to learn that artists, actors, and authors, who are dyslexic have a keen sense of curiosity and interest. In addition, they make great use of their imaginations and have a fantastic view of the world.
Out of the box thinkers: An advantage for many dyslexic people is their ability to think outside of the box. They come up with excellent, abstract ideas that are new and productive.
Successful dyslexics learn to look at problems from multiple angles and use their inherent strengths to succeed. Overcoming life’s challenges can lead people to be amazing towers of strength, empathy, and encouragement.
Well-known Dyslexics
“I get bored easily,” he said. The chef calls those with dyslexia ‘lucky’ – and the long list of famous people with the condition proves his point.
The 16-year-old was a preschooler when she was diagnosed with severe dyslexia – the lone child in the class unable to count to 10 or recite the alphabet.
Aniston revealed that she doesn’t read all that often because of dyslexia, which hurt her self-esteem during some of her formative years. She found out she had the learning disability in her 20’s.
She’s also a children’s author who knows what a challenge reading can be for some kids. That’s because Spencer has dyslexia. She vividly recalls how scared she was as a child when she had to read aloud in class.
Jay Leno is a hilarious comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host with dyslexia. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC'sThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 1992 to 2009.
Albert Einstein is the physicist mega-genius who developed the laws of relativity and shaped the ways we think of the world today, even with the complications of dyslexia.
Billionaire Richard Branson struggled in school and dropped out at age 16 - a decision that ultimately lead to creation of Virgin Records.
Henry Winkler is an actor, director and author who has dyslexia and difficulty with math. On Happy Days, he played “The Fonz,” a role so iconic that his character’s jacket now hangs in the Smithsonian.
Knightley struggled with reading in school and was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 6. Her parents took quick notice and used an incentive to improve her reading.
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has dyslexia. His father and brother do, too. He was diagnosed in elementary school and found ways to work around his reading difficulties.
Erin Brockovich is a famous lawyer and environmental activist who despite her dyslexia won a $333 million class-action lawsuit — the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
A lot of dyslexics, like Apple founder Steve Jobs, are highly intelligent, even gifted. "We're learning that individuals with dyslexia tend to have strengths in other areas, in creativity and imagination. They think outside the box.
Lennon excelled at art and music while attending high school, but his grades were poor and he had trouble spelling. He was rowdy in the classroom and was called a troublemaker.
Cruise spent his childhood trying to hide his dyslexia from his peers. Diagnosed at the age of seven, Cruise describes his younger self as a "functional illiterate".
Academy Award-winning Actress, Comedian, and Television Host. Goldberg remembers growing up under a number of false labels.
Though she found out at age 30 that she had dyslexia, Cher went untested in grade school and her dyslexia was unrecognized—many teachers thought she wasn't trying.
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