Dyslexics get tired because decoding words, reading, and writing require immense cognitive effort, forcing their brains to work much harder than neurotypical individuals to accomplish tasks that are automatic for others, leading to mental exhaustion, burnout, and heightened symptoms when fatigued. This "word fatigue" stems from the brain's intense focus on decoding, spelling, and processing information, making everyday tasks like reading a paragraph feel like running a marathon, often accompanied by yawning as a physical sign of this intense effort, not boredom.
However dyslexic people have to work harder than others to overcome daily challenges. Our brains work harder when they already have reduced processing ability and this can leave us physically and mentally exhausted.
Burnout within the neurodiverse community is something that is often spoken about quietly, yet it is incredibly real. Whether we are adults or children, burnout can take hold when our ability to cope becomes stretched beyond what feels manageable.
Challenges and strengths of dyslexia
A recent study found that children with ADHD and people with dyslexia had higher rates of daytime sleepiness than children without ADHD.
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”.
Three dimensional thinking and making connections
Many people with dyslexia demonstrate better skills at manipulating 3D objects in their mind. Many of the world's top architects and fashion designers have dyslexia.
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.
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!
Yes, trauma – both physical and emotional – have been cited in potentially causing the onset of dyslexia. Trauma Dyslexia, also commonly referred to as acquired dyslexia, can develop after a person has experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a fall from a ladder, a car accident, a sports injury, etc.
The key to success in managing dyslexia is understanding that it is an impairment in brain functioning, not a learning disability. Dr. Raffle performs an evaluation to help identify specific areas of brain impairment that results in reading problems.
5 things not to say to your child about dyslexia
Establish a routine
Dyslexic learners may find it difficult to maintain concentration for long periods of time and may get tired quickly, so it's a good idea to create a routine which emphasises 'a little and often' rather than trying to squeeze too much work into a longer session.
Multiple brain regions and cognitive processes come into play when someone connects the symbols of the alphabet to the meaning those words convey. A dyslexic brain develops and functions differently. For people with dyslexia, wiring in the left-brain hemisphere makes processing written language difficult.
Understanding and supporting individuals with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyspraxia is essential for fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment. These disorders can also coincide with other conditions such as ADHD and Autism, requiring a comprehensive approach.
Highly intuitive – Dyslexics often have a strong sense of intuition and heightened emotional intelligence. They can quickly grasp complex concepts and situations, often arriving at conclusions before others.
It's a form of extra money to support people who have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability. If you're wondering whether you can get PIP for dyslexia, the short answer is yes. People with dyslexia do fall into the category of having a disability, by law, and can apply for a PIP to receive extra money.
Albert Einstein
He had problems through school, that lead people tio believe he was Dyslexic. He overcame these problems to become arguably the most famous scientist of the modern era.
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.
Both mothers and fathers can pass dyslexia on to their children if either parent has it. There is roughly a 50% – 60% chance of a child developing dyslexia if one of their parents has it.
Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world didn't let his dyslexia hold him back.
No, dyslexia is not a form of ADHD; they are separate neurodevelopmental conditions, but they often co-occur (comorbid) because they share some symptoms like attention issues and can affect similar brain functions, though their core problems differ: dyslexia is a language-based learning disorder, while ADHD involves inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Many people have both, making proper assessment crucial for targeted support, as dyslexia impacts reading/language processing, while ADHD broadly affects executive functions like focus and self-regulation.
Remember, children with dyslexia may be incredibly artistic, gifted in music or drama, or have an uncanny ability to take things apart and put them back together. They might be brilliant with computers, which use logic-based programs and systems. Or they might be amazing athletes.
For example, many individuals with dyslexia are right-brain dominant. The right and left hemispheres of the brain are organized in a slightly different way. On the right, cells are more evenly distributed (versus in clusters).
Spelling is one of the biggest, and most widely experienced difficulties for the dyslexic child and adult. Most dyslexic people can learn to read well with the right support, however, spelling appears to be a difficulty that persists throughout life.