Like a lot of creative people, I have dyslexia. What that means is my brain organizes the interpretation of visual symbols differently than the typical brain. So, while others might read the word "does" and easily recognize the order of those letters (or visual symbols), my brain (along with many others who have dyslexia) often organizes those symbols in a different order in my brain.
Dyslexia has its distinct disadvantages and, unfortunately, the popular mainstream narrative typically highlights those disadvantages. For instance, we are naturally very poor spellers. I personally spell words right around a third grade level. Though these disadvantages can be challenging, they are not what defines a dyslexic.
Dyslexia also brings with it some incredible advantages. Every dyslexic is a little different, but one thing we all have in common is we learn to adapt and find creative solutions to everyday problems. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the most obvious one is the unique way our brains are wired.
When a dyslexic has to read, numerous areas of the brain are utilized. In fact, a dyslexic brain burns five times the amount of calories when reading as the typical brain. In a typical brain, reading is specialized to a few small areas (mostly on the right side of the brain). For those of us with dyslexia, however, we use multiple areas on the left and the right. Because of that, researchers have found that we can sometimes make connections others do not. I'd like to think this is one of the reasons my characters often find unorthodox ways of defeating their opponents. Do you know someone with dyslexia, or have it yourself? I would recommend watching the documentary: Journey Into Dyslexia (2011, Documentary).
Dyslexia has its distinct disadvantages and, unfortunately, the popular mainstream narrative typically highlights those disadvantages. For instance, we are naturally very poor spellers. I personally spell words right around a third grade level. Though these disadvantages can be challenging, they are not what defines a dyslexic.
Dyslexia also brings with it some incredible advantages. Every dyslexic is a little different, but one thing we all have in common is we learn to adapt and find creative solutions to everyday problems. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the most obvious one is the unique way our brains are wired.
When a dyslexic has to read, numerous areas of the brain are utilized. In fact, a dyslexic brain burns five times the amount of calories when reading as the typical brain. In a typical brain, reading is specialized to a few small areas (mostly on the right side of the brain). For those of us with dyslexia, however, we use multiple areas on the left and the right. Because of that, researchers have found that we can sometimes make connections others do not. I'd like to think this is one of the reasons my characters often find unorthodox ways of defeating their opponents. Do you know someone with dyslexia, or have it yourself? I would recommend watching the documentary: Journey Into Dyslexia (2011, Documentary).