Dyslexia has its advantages
Some famous names such as Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Steve Jobs and Sir Richard Branson have something in common. Are you surprised to hear that it’s dyslexia?
Thought to be a learning disability that affects one in five people, a recent study proves otherwise. Scientists claim that regardless of whether someone has language arts difficulties, people with dyslexia have many skills that help them excel at problem solving and adapt well to challenges. Both abilities benefit anyone who likes to explore the unknown, discover, invent and be creative.
Explorative learning is not typically supported in academic settings and workplaces. Researchers say those attitudes need to change. Instead of labeling people with dyslexia because they fail to attain the standard levels for reading, writing and spelling, their
intellectual abilities need to be nurtured, and that they should be included in problem-solving collaborations between people with different skill sets.
There are two types of problem-solving categories—exploration that involves experimentation or exploitation which is the refinement of what’s already known. People with dyslexia tend to apply their talents in the arts, architecture, engineering and entrepreneurship. Individuals mentioned earlier each fit into at least one of those categories as do Walt Disney, John Lennon and Keira Knightly.
Wonder if the dyslexia research team included people with the condition since research is exploratory.