Just from the strengths perspective, we might expect that many dyslexic students would excel in science and technology. STEM jobs often require strengths in real world problem solving that depend on powers of observation, analytical ability, pattern recognition, and synthesis, or putting different pieces of information together. The problem is, dyslexic students may get few opportunities to observe and dabble in “real science”, unless they go out looking for it. Recently, I had a chance to catch up with Dr. Doresa Jennings, an amazing homeschooling mom who we all can learn from in terms of how she designed educational plans that build on students strengths. Even if your kids aren’t yet strong in science or technology, Doresa’s advice is worth listening to. Here are three […]
Understanding Your Dyslexic Advantages Have Implications for Action and Leadership
As it turns out, the advantages that come with being dyslexic are not little skills that don't amount to something. In fact, just the opposite. The advantages and abilities that come with dyslexic thinking are "big hairy audacious" skills if you've heard about that...
Dyslexic Advantage in Translation
We received inquiries about Dysexic Advantage from India and Italy. Our book The Dyslexic Advantage is now translated into Spanish, Chinese (coming), Japanese (coming), Korean, Polish, and Dutch, but also our ENTIRE DyslexicAdvantage.org website can be...
INTERVIEW: Dr. Brock Eide & the Neurolearning Dyslexia App
After writing The Dyslexic Advantage and co-founding this non-profit, why did you decide to create this innovative dyslexia screening app? After 20 years working in this field it's become clear that the biggest problem facing dyslexic people is access. That includes...
Unleash Dyslexic Writing with Dr. Nicole Swedberg [Premium]
In step-by-step fashion, learn how to unleash the dyslexic writing talent of students through Dr. Nicole Swedberg’s idea of Mini-Writes. In her talk, Dr. Swedberg talks about short writing assignments can help students master small achievable goals. She describes how she can take a student through the writing process in 1-3 sessions. Some strategies include using wordless picture books, a word bank, and afterwards a routine involving spellcheck and finally use of text-to-speech for each sentence. Other topics include strategies for overcoming a report meltdown and strategies for note taking using assistive technology. Dr. Nicole Swedberg has generously donated this 20-minute webinar on Teaching Writing to LD Kids as a fundraiser to support the programs here at Dyslexic Advantage and we are very grateful.
The Unappreciated Benefits of Dyslexia
This article can be read aloud or translated into over 70 languages by using the red ReciteMe button at top left. To close Reciteme, click the "X" at top right. This Q & A was originally published in Wired Magazine. Normally dyslexia is considered a handicap: a...
Beautiful Minds – What New Research Shows Dyslexia and Artists Have in Common [Premium]
BBC Science: “…artists had increased neural matter in areas relating to fine motor movements and visual imagery. The research, published in NeuroImage, suggests that an artist’s talent could be innate…these detailed scans revealed that the artist group had significantly more grey matter in the area of the brain called the precuneus in the parietal lobe.” From Cerebral Cortex 25:3502-3514: “we found that connectivity between multiple reading-related areas and areas of the default mode network, in particular the precuneus, was stronger in dyslexic compared with nonimpaired readers.” In an interesting study comparing drawing ability and enrollment in art student group with structural brain studies examining brain matter density in specific areas, researchers found greater representational art ability and enrollment in an art school (Royal College of Art […]
Dyslexia | Environmental Law Pioneer David Schoenbrod
David Schoenbrod is a pioneering environmental attorney on faculty at New York Law School. Since his start in doing anti-poverty community development under a program initiated by Bobbie Kennedy, he has used out-of-the-box dyslexic big picture thinking to trigger a...
Q & A: Can I be a Doctor if I am Dyslexic? [Premium]
Answer: Yes. Absolutely. There have been many famous physicians who were dyslexic, and many today that you might not know who are dyslexic because many don’t identify in the workplace and many more weren’t formally identified. The typical profile of a dyslexic physician is to have had early troubles in elementary school, then a jump in abilities in middle to high school, and then further jump up in college and medical school. There are probably several reasons why medicine can be a popular occupation for adult (often gifted) dyslexics. First, it is a complex domain to master that nevertheless also requires an ability to grasp the big picture, make decisions, and execute a plan. Medicine is based on science, which is a strong suit and […]
Breaking Research : Dyslexia in Adolescents and Adults [Premium]
An important paper was published this month from the University of Washington, entitled “Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Assessment for Dyslexia in Adolescents and Young Adults.” The paper is especially important guiding testing professionals who assess teens and adults for dyslexia or see gifted or twice-exceptional students. This paper also takes a more systematic look at the roles of individual factors like working memory and executive function on dyslexia and reading and spelling performance. The data will be helpful in targeting educational interventions and can also guide requests for testing accommodations. There are interesting observations too in that paper that will help with characterizing the strengths that occur among adolescent and adult dyslexics, with implications for twice-exceptional or gifted students with dyslexia. In several areas, adolescent / adult […]
Advice for Actors – Especially Dyslexic Ones
From accomplished actor Lloyd Everitt, the youngest actor to play Othello at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2016/lloyd-everitt-5-tips-for-actors-especially-dyslexic-ones/ 1. Know yourself Observe your sound and reactions from...
HOW TO READ A WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK
With so much focus on reading for children with dyslexia, the choice of a wordless picture book might seem to be unusual, but it shouldn't be. Dyslexic children should be exposed to wordless picture books at an early age, and also be encouraged to continue read them...