Embracing Dyslexia: My journey and the strengths it brings
This Dyslexia Awareness Week, one of our UoL Community members shares their experience of having dyslexia and celebrates the strength it brings.
I was just seven years old when it was identified that I had dyslexia, and while it has certainly brought its challenges, it has also been one of my greatest strengths.
Dyslexia is much more common than many people realise — its estimated that around 1 in 10 people are dyslexic. Knowing this has made me feel less alone in my journey, and it’s a reminder that there’s a whole community of people who think and learn in unique ways.
Being diagnosed at a young age meant that I was fortunate enough to get the support I needed. Still, growing up with dyslexia in a traditional learning environment wasn’t easy. While others seemed to grasp reading and writing effortlessly, I struggled to keep up. I quickly learned that I had to work harder—not just to prove to others, but to prove to myself that I could do it.
Despite the challenges, dyslexia has also shaped the way I think and the skills I’ve developed over time. There are areas where I know I excel, and embracing these strengths has helped me both in my personal and professional life.
My strengths as a dyslexic thinker
I have an ability to visualise complex scenarios and break them down into clear, actionable steps. When I was younger, I excelled in maths and even joined the chess team — two areas that rely heavily on logical, strategic thinking.
I love drawing, creating digital designs, and I’m passionate about photography. Being dyslexic means I often think in pictures rather than words, which allows me to express myself visually. This creative, out-of-the-box thinking has been a huge asset in my professional role as I’m constantly generating new ideas —something I owe, in part, to the way my dyslexic brain works.
Hidden Strengths of dyslexia
Dyslexia is often seen as a learning difficulty, but for me, it’s been a different way of seeing the world. I’ve learnt to embrace the unique strengths that come with it. Here’s a summary of some of the strengths dyslexic individuals often possess:
Creative thinking
Dyslexic individuals often excel in creative fields like art, design and storytelling. Our brains are wired to think visually, making us great at generating unique ideas and seeing connections where others might not.
Problem-Solving
Because we’ve had to navigate challenges in reading and writing, many dyslexic people become excellent problem-solvers. We’re used to finding alternative ways to achieve goals, which helps us approach challenges with flexibility and innovation.
Big picture thinking
Dyslexic individuals often think in broader, more conceptual terms, seeing the "big picture" rather than getting lost in the details. This kind of thinking is incredibly useful for strategic planning and leadership roles.
Strong visual and spatial abilities
Many dyslexic individuals have exceptional visual and spatial reasoning. This is why we often excel in areas like architecture, engineering and the visual arts.
Logical thinking
Dyslexic individuals often have a talent for logical reasoning and analysis, especially in tasks that require breaking down complex problems or understanding patterns and systems.
Tools that can help aid your studies
For those of you who may also have dyslexia, or know someone who does, there are a variety of tools and resources available to help make learning easier. These tools have made a huge difference for me, and they might well help you too:
- Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software: Tools like NaturalReader and Speechify allow you to listen to written text to help aid your reading.
- Speech-to-Text (Dictation) Tools: Writing can be a challenging, but dictation tools like Google Docs Voice to Text feature and Microsoft Voice Dictation tools let you speak your ideas aloud and have them transcribed automatically.
- Mind Mapping Software and Organisational Apps: If you’re like me and think visually, mind mapping tools like MindMeister and project apps Trello and Notion can help you manage tasks and projects more efficiently by breaking them down into simple, visual steps.
- Microsoft Learning Tools: These tools are built directly into products like Word, OneNote and Edge, and they’ve been game-changers for me. The immersive reader tool helps to break down text for easier reading, and you can adjust spacing and background colours to reduce visual stress.
- Accessibility Tools for Learning: Microsoft also offers a range of Accessibility Tools for Learning designed specifically for neurodiverse learners, helping to make reading, writing, and comprehension easier.
- UoL Skills Hub: The Skills Hub is an amazing resource. It offers access to academic study activities that can help you with your learning, from digital literacy, time management to AI Literacy.
Final thoughts
For me being dyslexic has taught me so much about perseverance, creativity and embracing my unique way of thinking. It has been challenging at times, but it has also shaped the strengths I bring to the table.
If you’re a student with dyslexia, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and there’s a world of tools and resources available to help you succeed. Dyslexia doesn’t define your limits — it just gives you a different path to follow.
This page was last updated on 3 October 2024