I was first diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, and then again 20 years later as an adult law school student.
Dyslexia affects each individual a little differently, but generally creates difficulties for processing written language. It is often characterized as a "learning disability."
Early on, I struggled to keep up in grade school, especially with reading and studying. My parents purchased a Smith Corona typewriter, and every day I typed my notes from class onto onionskin paper. The process of deciphering my own handwriting (not easy even today!) and then typing the words onto a page I could read later was critical to helping me learn. Imagine my delight later in life when computers came along and I was already so comfortable on the keyboard.
Having dyslexia doesn't mean you can't learn or be successful, but you may have to go about it a little differently.
In fact, people with dyslexia are often highly creative thinkers, likely because in compensating for or overcoming the challenges of dyslexia we develop a strategic intelligence, as well as a stubborn persistence. It is no surprise to me that entrepreneurs exhibit higher rates of dyslexia than the general population. We're wired to approach challenges in new ways, to work around obstacles, and to solve problems.
And we're in pretty good company: Woodrow Wilson, Andy Warhol, Albert Einstein, Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg, Agatha Christie, and Cher, are just a few examples of dyslexics who have achieved amazing things.
Effective coping strategies vary from person to person, but here are a few I've learned:
o Take your time. In school, dyslexic students are often allotted extra time to complete assignments. In the real world, the best way to avoid the sensation of not having enough time is to start things early. I've always been an early riser, so I usually get up at 4:30 in the morning so I can have an hour or so to myself before the kids wake up and the day begins in earnest. This allows me to look at my calendar, slowly read important e-mails, and think through everything ahead of me that day. My habit of extensive and early preparation developed out of my need to not feel rushed to "keep up" with my non-dyslexic peers.
o Be purposefully attentive. Attention requires effort. Try "active listening," a technique used in conflict resolution, in which the listener paraphrases and repeats back the speaker's message to ensure mutual understanding (you can keep this feedback silent and write down what you think they mean). Look for clues about what the speaker FEELS rather than just hearing what they SAY. I've found that journaling helps me stay in the present.
• Reject the myth of multitasking. If you are trying to listen to someone speak or you are reading something important, you can't text, talk, tweet, check your email, or perform some other function without degrading your attention.
• Recognize your strengths and develop them rather than improve a weakness. Turn your compensatory tactics, whatever works for you, into assets. I could type 30 words per minute in seventh grade, and by the time the Internet caught on, I was naturally composing on the keyboard, able to transcribe spoken words and typing nearly as fast as a professional typist.
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Dyslexia affects each individual a little differently, but generally creates difficulties for processing written language. It is often characterized as a "learning disability."
Early on, I struggled to keep up in grade school, especially with reading and studying. My parents purchased a Smith Corona typewriter, and every day I typed my notes from class onto onionskin paper. The process of deciphering my own handwriting (not easy even today!) and then typing the words onto a page I could read later was critical to helping me learn. Imagine my delight later in life when computers came along and I was already so comfortable on the keyboard.
Having dyslexia doesn't mean you can't learn or be successful, but you may have to go about it a little differently.
In fact, people with dyslexia are often highly creative thinkers, likely because in compensating for or overcoming the challenges of dyslexia we develop a strategic intelligence, as well as a stubborn persistence. It is no surprise to me that entrepreneurs exhibit higher rates of dyslexia than the general population. We're wired to approach challenges in new ways, to work around obstacles, and to solve problems.
And we're in pretty good company: Woodrow Wilson, Andy Warhol, Albert Einstein, Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg, Agatha Christie, and Cher, are just a few examples of dyslexics who have achieved amazing things.
Effective coping strategies vary from person to person, but here are a few I've learned:
o Take your time. In school, dyslexic students are often allotted extra time to complete assignments. In the real world, the best way to avoid the sensation of not having enough time is to start things early. I've always been an early riser, so I usually get up at 4:30 in the morning so I can have an hour or so to myself before the kids wake up and the day begins in earnest. This allows me to look at my calendar, slowly read important e-mails, and think through everything ahead of me that day. My habit of extensive and early preparation developed out of my need to not feel rushed to "keep up" with my non-dyslexic peers.
o Be purposefully attentive. Attention requires effort. Try "active listening," a technique used in conflict resolution, in which the listener paraphrases and repeats back the speaker's message to ensure mutual understanding (you can keep this feedback silent and write down what you think they mean). Look for clues about what the speaker FEELS rather than just hearing what they SAY. I've found that journaling helps me stay in the present.
• Reject the myth of multitasking. If you are trying to listen to someone speak or you are reading something important, you can't text, talk, tweet, check your email, or perform some other function without degrading your attention.
• Recognize your strengths and develop them rather than improve a weakness. Turn your compensatory tactics, whatever works for you, into assets. I could type 30 words per minute in seventh grade, and by the time the Internet caught on, I was naturally composing on the keyboard, able to transcribe spoken words and typing nearly as fast as a professional typist.
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