More and more we are hearing about twice exceptional dyslexics (2e)…….Those dyslexics who struggle to read and spell, but are highly intelligent, gifted learners.
What is even more exciting is that these 2e learners often end up in our tertiary academic institutions and dedicate their lives to unraveling the mystery surrounding the dyslexic brain.
Matthew Schneps is one such individual and I have been reading all about his work……. and it is very exciting.
Matthew is an astrophysicist and is carrying out research at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics…….
……….More specifically he has been investigating talents for science among those with dyslexia.
Here is a short summary of what he and others have discovered…….
  1. Dyslexics are faster to identify visual jokes or anomalies, for example in pictures by M.C. Escher.
  2. Dyslexics have a greater sense of ‘things out place’. For example being better at accurately identify black holes from noise in outer space when compared to their non-dyslexic colleagues.
  3. Dyslexics were better at interpreting and memorizing blurry looking images that resembled x-rays, an advantage that could be useful in medicine and science.
  4. Another researcher Gadi Geiger and his colleagues at MIT found that individuals with dyslexia could distribute their attention far more broadly that do typical non-dyslexic readers.
  5. Gadi Geiger and his colleagues also applied this broader attention theory to sound as well by conducting a study that simulated the sounds of a cocktail party.  They found that people with dyslexia were better able to pick out and identify more words spoken by voices widely distributed in a room when compared to non-dyslexics.
  6. Learning to read changes our brains and as a result we gain and lose certain visual capabilities. 
  7. A research study by an Italian team led by Andrea Facoetti showed that children with dyslexia often exhibited impairments in visual attention."
"You may be asking….. how all these skills represent advantages for the dyslexic and for the greater community at large?
However think about it……..
  • Having the ability to be more sensitive to changes in the broader visual environment.
  • To have a broader more holistic perspective.
  • Being able to better identify something that doesn’t fit, is out of place or inconsistent can have huge advantages.
Think of the work of a…..
  • A scientific researcher
  • A security guard, detective or private investigator
  • A mathematician, engineer or inventor
  • A musician, artist or film maker
  • Anyone working in the medical profession
  • A troubleshooter, management consultant or business entrepreneur
  • A humanitarian or aid worker
  • A politician or world leader
This list could go on and on and on…..
It is important to remember that disadvantage and advantage is relative to the context in which a task is being performed.
The structure of our current school academic and assessment system creates many disadvantages for the dyslexia learner.
It is important for parents, teachers and those with dyslexia to remember that having disadvantages in particular areas often creates advantages in others."

Check out www.dyslexiadaily.com  for great resources and articles


Dyslexia Daily is a friendly on-line community where you'll meet like minded parents, educators and LD specialists to support you on your journey with dyslexia. As part of this community you'll be inspired as you access FREE tips and techniques, strategies and systems, and so much more!

You can join a discussion in the forum, read the latest blog (news), find a service provider from the directory or download free information.

We look forward to having you join us.

Liz Dunoon
Dyslexia Daily, Editor