Being diagnosed with dyslexia can be hard, or even impossible, to accept; however, it can also be a very positive way forward despite how it may seem initially. The outlook ‘positive about dyslexia’ is a great place to start.
Dyslexia can be a gift. It is often stigmatised as a disability that impacts on intelligence, academic potential and one’s ability to read, write and spell accurately or with ease. However, it is not something to be ashamed of but instead something to build upon and use to one’s advantage. I am passionate about working towards having a view that is positive about dyslexia.
You should pay attention to nurturing your strengths over weaknesses; we cannot all be good at everything but we can certainly promote that which we soar in.
The positive aspects associated with dyslexia are often underappreciated or pushed aside. I have listed a few of the benefits and reasons that I have to be proud of when it comes to my own dyslexia diagnosis made in February 2015.
Some, or all, may be relevant to you.
First, you are not merely apart of the crowd…
Being unique is always something to celebrate. It is within human nature to be recognised as individuals. We want to stand out from the crowd in school, university or in the workplace.
Most importantly, have confidence in your outlook, opinion and thoughts. No one likes a copycat or someone who simply fades into the background. Be bold and always be you, no matter what.
Second, you see the world differently to others…
As with the above, seeing the world in a different way can bring you a lot of success, merit and credibility. The ability to use your imagination, creative thought and multi-dimensional thought patterns is incredibly useful.
I’ve always noticed my unique perspective to perceive the world around me; I just didn’t know that it was related to my dyslexia. Often, an alternative way of looking at a situation, event or issue can be incredibly useful especially at work, school or project involving teamwork.
Third, you are curious, insightful and driven…
Curiosity is a gift. Often those with dyslexia find themselves intuitive, able to reason and identify similarities between subject matters, objects or problems that might arise.
I see myself as driven, motivated and ready to always learn. Whilst, the reading aspect, in particular, does not come naturally to me, my time at university taught me a lot about myself and my learning difficulties. Due to my insightfulness, I am able to push past that which is a challenge as I just want to know more, all the time.
Fourth, you think visually but in a holistic and creative way…
Whilst complexity and details are fascinating, it is also a great skill to be able to see the wider picture. As someone who suffers from dyslexia, more often than not I am able to identify the important details and hone in on exactly what I need to know/get done. My creativity is always something I will celebrate and emphasise; I see my thoughts in a visual way. This helps me negotiate the real-world, whilst bearing in mind that larger image or set of ideas.
So, let’s be ‘Positive about Dyslexia’…
Being positive about dyslexia is the key to removing the stigma and helping others to understand exactly what it is like. Having a dyslexic brain does not mean you are handicapped but instead talented and well-rounded in many aspects of thinking and seeing the world.
There is a lot of help and advice out there to anyone thinks they’d benefit from receiving such thing. I’d recommend the British Dyslexia Association for more information. I’ve developed many coping strategies over the years, mainly because I was diagnosed late in my teenage years so, therefore, I had automatically figured out ways around ‘my problems’ that I deemed to be otherwise ‘normal’.
However, I now very much celebrate my strengths and I think you should too. I am no different to anyone else, I am just me. Everyone has their own path in life, it varies from person-to-person and we should be celebrating that.
I invite you to join me in the comments as well as the discussion on social media, using the hashtag “#PositiveAbout Dyslexia“. You are welcome to share your personal stories, battles and ideas. I’d love to hear and talk through it with you.
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