Kate Griggs - This is Dyslexia: The definitive guide to the untapped power of dyslexic thinking and its vital role in our future

THIS is Dyslexia

The definitive guide to the untapped power of dyslexic thinking and its vital role in our future

by Kate Griggs

EBURY

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Ebury is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

This edition first published by Vermilion in 2021

Text Kate Griggs 2021
Illustrations Made By Dyslexia 2021
Jacket design Two Associates 2021

The moral right of the author has been asserted

ISBN: 978-1-529-19184-4

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

Its official the world needs Dyslexic Thinking.

This is Dyslexia is not only a brilliant guide for people with dyslexia. It also helps parents, employers and educators truly understand dyslexia and Dyslexic Thinking.

It outlines why its time to redefine dyslexia, to value the massive benefits it can bring and to empower every person with dyslexia to unleash their superpowers.

I simply wouldnt be where I am today if I wasnt dyslexic. In the real world, dyslexia can be a huge advantage. Many people with dyslexia have great imaginations, creativity and problem-solving skills. In fact, many of the worlds greatest entrepreneurs and inventors are dyslexic. Thomas Edisons light bulb illuminated our lives, Henry Ford made cars accessible to all and Steve Jobs gave us the iPhone.

Now, post pandemic, our world is in a period of rapid change. New research by ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions and Made By Dyslexia finds that by 2025, 50 per cent of all jobs will be done by machines and the skills that humans need to set themselves apart and compete in this new hybrid workforce of the future are Dyslexic Thinking skills.

So, whether youre dyslexic or not, its time to value Dyslexic Thinking and the vital role it can play in all our futures.

Thats been one of my mantras focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean and simple.

Steve Jobs

#MadeByDyslexia

Its imagination, intuition and empathy that sets us apart from the machines. And thats Dyslexic Thinking.

Kate Griggs

#MadeByDyslexia

This book is packed with everything you need to know about dyslexia, written in a style that people Made By Dyslexia will find easy to absorb.

It is reassuringly short and uses images and infographics where helpful.

Because dyslexics love to see the big picture, there are bullet point summaries at the end of each chapter and information included as lists.

Throughout the book there is a blend of written and digital storytelling. A blend of words, pictures and videos suits the multisensory way dyslexics like to consume information.

Whats more Made by Dyslexia has some amazing videos and resources to help you understand dyslexia. Look out for the QR codes throughout the book, which will take you to inspiring videos and must-see interviews.

You can read this book from beginning to end, or dip into any section and jump around to take the information most valuable to you. After all, dyslexics like to do things differently.

Imagine a world where people with dyslexia are educated in a way that supports them. It means anything is possible anything is possible.

Orlando Bloom

#MadeByDyslexia

We do have to look at things differently, if were going to combat some of the challenges that every young person is facing for the twenty-first century. The time is now.

HRH Princess Beatrice

#MadeByDyslexia

If we did everything we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.

Thomas Edison

#MadeByDyslexia

1. 1. Its official the future needs Dyslexic Thinking

   In 2018 The 50 per cent of human skills are an exact match of Dyslexic Thinking skills. So, dyslexic or not, you need to understand Dyslexic Thinking and its vital role in all our futures or be left behind!

2. 2. The good news dyslexia is VERY common and there are lots of us!

   As many as one in five people are dyslexic, thats 20 per cent of the global population, and over one billion people. That means that in every class and every workplace, all around the world, there are one in five people already hardwired with the skills we need for the future. We just need to make sure we all know how to spot them and how to empower them. This book will help you do exactly that.

3. 3. Redefining dyslexia for the twenty-first century

   Dyslexia is largely understood to be a learning difficulty or disability, so its unsurprising many of us hide it and are embarrassed by it. Dyslexia does come with its challenges in traditional learning and in the tests used to benchmark students and employees. But now those challenges are being mitigated by technology and companies are placing huge value on our strengths (as shown in the diagram on , adapted from the EY report). This book helps you to see dyslexia as a strength and encourages everyone to harness it.

4. 4. Reshaping education for the twenty-first century

   Right now, education systems around the world arent spotting, supporting or empowering dyslexic children. Only 20 per cent of dyslexic students are identified at school, So, despite dyslexics being ready for the workplace of tomorrow, we must reshape how we teach them today. This book will help everyone spot dyslexia.

5. 5. Different times different measures

   Our fast-changing world is facing unprecedented challenges, so now more than ever, we need minds who think differently to solve the many problems we face and to shape our futures. Without a doubt, we need Dyslexic Thinking. But measuring intelligence, success and eligibility using the same standardised tests and traditional benchmarking that we have used for decades, in education and the workplace, is no longer fit for purpose and is actually filtering out the very types of minds we need