No, dyslexia does not affect intelligence; it's a common myth that people with dyslexia have lower IQs, but research shows no link, with dyslexic individuals often having average, above-average, or even gifted intelligence, excelling in areas like creativity and problem-solving while facing specific challenges in reading and spelling due to language processing differences.
But if a child has a low IQ and additional problem with dyslexia, that just is going to mean that they're going to have even more difficulty learning to read. But knowing that, most people with dyslexia are, at least, average or above-average IQ. So, it is not related to intelligence at all.
In reality, dyslexia has absolutely no impact on intelligence, and dyslexics are as likely to have ideas as good as anyone else's (indeed, their capabilities to think outside the box may even mean that they have more ideas).
Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as organisational skills. It is important to remember that there are positives to thinking differently.
Twice exceptional or 2e is a term used to describe students who are both intellectually gifted (as determined by an accepted standardized assessment) and learning disabled, which includes students with dyslexia.
These creative processing skills allow dyslexics to see the bigger picture, and visualise new solutions. This skill is really valuable to employees, in fact, 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic. They are deliberately hired because of their excellent critical thinking skills and spatial awareness.
Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world didn't let his dyslexia hold him back.
Several structural changes in the brain have been found that are associated with dyslexia. There is a global reduction in the neuroplasticity of the brain, particularly in the crucial left hemispheric regions that are implicated in language and reading (11).
Dyslexic strengths include:
Interconnected reasoning, or I-strengths, is another common dyslexic strength that aligns perfectly with science. Dyslexic thinkers are adept at noticing relationships and drawing analogies, skills that are invaluable in understanding the complex systems found in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.
Research by the University of Strathclyde has found that people with dyslexia are much better at being curious and exploring new ideas and more likely to be found in careers where this is an advantage, such as art, media, architecture, creativity, engineering and inventing things!
Albert Einstein
Often at the top of the list of historical figures with dyslexia, Albert Einstein, known for his brilliant mind, also struggled with delayed speech, language difficulties, and putting thoughts on paper.
Famous actors like Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom all have dyslexia. Pablo Picasso's teachers described him as “having difficulty differentiating the orientation of letters”.
Strong Memory Skills:
Many people with dyslexia have excellent long-term memory, particularly when it comes to experiences and visual information.
Consistent with earlier work showing that RAN, letter name knowledge, and phonological awareness are core predictors of dyslexia (Catts, Fey, Zhang, & Tomblin, 2001; Pennington & Lefly, 2001), these studies highlight the slow development of language, phonological awareness, and decoding-related skills, including poor ...
Dyslexia is not exclusive to any particular level of intelligence; it can affect individuals with average, above-average, and highly gifted intellect.
Dyslexia is a common specific learning difference that mainly affects reading, writing, and spelling. It can also impact how someone remembers instructions or organises their work. It is not linked to intelligence, and many dyslexic people have strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and thinking in new ways.
Do you:
Being dyslexic means that you think and process information on the right side of your brain, instead of the left side, where neurotypical people think.
Dyslexia can be genetic and research has suggested that a number of inherited genes may predispose someone to develop this brain disorder. Other risk factors include low birth weight, being born premature, and exposure to substances during gestation that affect brain development.
Dyslexia does not worsen over time. However, the demands of adult life—more complex reading, multitasking, or workplace expectations—can make its effects more noticeable. With continued support, individuals often learn to manage their challenges and build on their strengths.
Increasing dietary intake of oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout or sardines. An omega-3 supplement may help to increase omega-3 levels in the blood as well as increasing overall omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. For vegan and vegetarians, there are many plant based omega 3 supplements available derived from algae.
Albert Einstein was dyslexic. Like many of the world's 7.5 million children with learning disabilities he was thought to be unintelligent by his teachers. Fortunately, his parents placed him in a special school where he was taught in accordance with his disability.
Actress Emma Watson has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), specifically the hyperactive-impulsive type, and was diagnosed as a young child, taking medication like Ritalin to help with focus and organization during her Harry Potter years and beyond, becoming a role model for managing neurodiversity.
Sir Richard Branson, head of Virgin, who made his first million by the age of 18 after founding a record label, is a classic example of the successful dyslexic. Branson, a billionaire, admits he did not understand the difference between net and gross profit until it was explained to him three years ago.