The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain

---

This dyslexic architecture comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Traditionally society has focused on the weaknesses of the dyslexic brain. Now, however, we know so say the Eide's at least what the strengths that come along with dyslexia are, and it's about time that we started focusing on those.

We cannot, of course, forget about the weaknesses. Dyslexics still need specialized help, especially during their early educations. The Eides outline four areas of dyslexic strengths each of which comes along with weaknesses as trade-offs. They call them the MIND strengths. I'm not really qualified to judge the scientific grounding of the Eide's claims, but they certainly sounded believable and came off as being grounded in scientific research if also in the Eides' anecdotes about their clients.

I really enjoyed The Dyslexic Advantage. It helped me see what some of my talents are, and how those talents came to me through dyslexia. I wouldn't trade my dyslexic brain for a non dyslexic one if I had the choice. I'm also very excited that one of my children has dyslexia. I'm eager to see how she approaches the world as she grows. Dec 07, CK Hicks rated it it was amazing.

Finally, something is making sense. As someone who has been dealing with dyslexia for any years, I can't say enough good things about this book. It's literally as if I have found the missing manual to my brain. Every example and training suggestion was helpful; I have befitted more from this audiobook than through years of training. Thank you, authors, for carefully constructing a resource that will help those dealing with dyslexia. Oct 27, Michelle rated it it was amazing. I can't say enough good about this book. If you have a child with dyslexia, or teach a child with dyslexia, it will give you insight and ideas to maximize their potential The title is somewhat limiting though, because dyslexia and ADHD share some of the same challenges and strengths due to poor working memory -- so I think this book would be extremely helpful to anyone looking for help with ADHD as well.

The Eide's I can't say enough good about this book.

The Eide's research is exceptional, and their use of real people and their own clinical experience lends to the book's authenticity. The best part about reading this book was the moment I recognized my child's advantages in the 4 areas of strength. It changed the way I approach his teaching. I'm reading it for a second time with a highlighter and pencil.

Sep 08, Janice Elgort dubroff rated it it was amazing. If there is a dyslexic in your life or if you are a professional dealing with this population, this is THE book to read. Copyrighted in it, takes advantage of and synthesizes all past information, medical breakthroughs and contrarian ideas. IT creates a total picture of dyslexia including and highlighting the positive aspects of this "learning type" and the brain differences that make for the high IQ or even EQ of many dyslexics.

IT is chicken soup for the mother's soul to read about the st If there is a dyslexic in your life or if you are a professional dealing with this population, this is THE book to read. IT is chicken soup for the mother's soul to read about the struggles of one dyslexic and discover that it is Anne Rice they are talking about.

Incidentally she was the best-selling author of all time at over million books.

I"m guessing that level has been surpassed by now. Eide describes in detail the upside and the downside and in addition to the diagnostics, which most books are pretty thorough about, includes elementary school, high school and even workplace suggestions. I could say a LOT more, but I'm not even finished reading the book. It'll make it easier on Moms because there will be less lengthy responding to do when people say something to the effect of, "Awww, poor you, your child is dyslexic.

Oct 25, Lisa rated it it was amazing. This book explains dyslexia with all its pros and cons better than anything I have read. It is very positive about a dyslexic's potential, but it also doesn't negate the very real challenges they face. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is, or knows someone who is a dyslexic.

The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain

Aug 07, Katerina Ioannides rated it it was ok. I'm dyslexic and related to about seventy percent of this book. The majority of evidence for the MIND thesis is grounded in anecdotes from Eides' clients as opposed to scientific research. At times, the book lends the impression that all dyslexics think alike. Dyslexi I'm dyslexic and related to about seventy percent of this book. Dyslexia is extremely multifaceted. Personally, I don't think the authors go far enough with the "paradigm shift" they propose in the introduction. Eides' "paradigm shift" is really just that dyslexics have strengths along with their weaknesses.

A paradigm shift would argue that the entire way we view intellectual ability is exclusionary, hierarchal, and marginalizes brilliant, creative people whose strengths are not catered to in the current education system. The factors that allowed the students profiled in this book to succeed have a lot to do with life chances. Being diagnosed with dyslexia in itself is a privilege, let alone having the resources to adapt in traditional educational settings and go to college. Overall, an intimate occasionally uncomfortable read for me. I found myself comparing, reflecting, and left with more questions than answers.

Aug 17, John Bobo rated it it was amazing. This book is simply fantastic in that it re-frames the conversation about Dyslexia. Who should read this book? If you are dyslexic or live with a dyslexic, you have to read this book. If you think you may be dyslexic but are not sure, read this book. More importantly, every teacher and education professional should read this book. I have given out more copies of this book than almost any book in the last two years. One of the most valuable parts of the book is the description of the different fla This book is simply fantastic in that it re-frames the conversation about Dyslexia.

One of the most valuable parts of the book is the description of the different flavors of dyslexia. Also, this book has helped me be more open about my own dyslexia and helped be more understanding of those who never understood it --which at times has included me. When I grew up, the solution to dyslexia was "Cowboy up, and take 4th grade again. Definitely a book I would time machine back and give to all my teachers, principle and parents. So grateful this book was written for kids today.

And my only criticism is one a dyslexic would make. I wish the book had more visuals.

Whatever these writers do next, I'm buying. Apr 18, Blake Charlton rated it it was amazing. This wonderful and well written book seeks to re-frame how we see the dyslexic mind. Without denying or underplaying the difficulties young dyslexics face, Brock and Fernette Eide do an amazing job cataloging and describing the dyslexic advantages that often accompany the disabilities. There is much practical advice offered for dyslexics; even after three decades of accommodating my dyslexia, I learned many useful tips.

I highly, highly recommend this book to fellow dyslexics, parents, and educa This wonderful and well written book seeks to re-frame how we see the dyslexic mind. I highly, highly recommend this book to fellow dyslexics, parents, and educators. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by the authors, who did me the honor of using my particular life story, so far at least, as an example of the "narrative intelligence" strengths that man dyslexics have.

It's a truly humbling experience to see my name listed among so many, and much more accomplished dyslexics, such as Charles Schwab, Anne Rice, Sir Richard Bransen. However, I'd offer the glowing reviews of this book as more objective evidence of its excellence. Sep 17, Katie rated it really liked it. I would think that anyone with dyslexia — or anyone with a child or spouse with dyslexia — would find this book enormously helpful. It is a very positive, comprehensive, and affirming write-up that focuses on the advantages that a brain, wired for dyslexia, has to offer.

See a Problem?

The book is very na I would think that anyone with dyslexia — or anyone with a child or spouse with dyslexia — would find this book enormously helpful. The book is very narrative and pleasant to read. Sep 09, Mandy Marek rated it it was amazing. This book was amazing. I believe that my daughter is dyslexic.

She is only 4 and nobody is willing to help me or test her. So I started reading. I wrote 24 pages of notes! Not only do I understand my daughter better, my marriage is better because it helped me understand how my husband's brain works another undiagnosed dyslexic.

I wish somebody had given me this book when we got married! Anyhow, this book changes how I teach her and how I will move forward with her education This book was amazing. Anyhow, this book changes how I teach her and how I will move forward with her education. There were some profound things in this. I recommend reading it if you suspect somebody in your life is dyslexic!

Dec 24, Skylar Burris rated it it was ok Shelves: I ended up having to skim this one. It was rather dry reading and offered very limited practical advice. Its value lies primarily in providing encouragement that dyslexics can, and do, succeed well in life, but I don't need to read hundreds of pages to know that. Also, it didn't really seem to apply to my son I read it because he is dyslexic. It kept going on about how spatially gifted dyslexics are, but that is not the case for him.

He has clear gifts he's good at mental math, logical thinki I ended up having to skim this one. He has clear gifts he's good at mental math, logical thinking, strategy, and has a good sense of humour , but he actually has a deficiency in geometrical matrices. It has clearly been encouraging to many, but I guess I'm not the intended audience. I have learned so much about myself and dyslexia from this book.

I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be dyslexic or anyone with dyslexic family members or coworkers. This book was clearly written for a non-dyslexic parent to help them with a dyslexic child. But I found it extremely interesting especially the beginning half that explained how a dyslexic brain is structured differently from a non-dyslexic and how that explains many of the challenges and special abilities that I have. In general this book was extremely empowering for me and I very much appreciate of the work the writers are doing to help people with dyslexia.

Some of my favorite parts were when This book was clearly written for a non-dyslexic parent to help them with a dyslexic child. Eide and Fernette L. Eide who are both doctors assisting people with learning disabilities including dyslexia. The audiobook edition is well narrated by Paul Costanzo, who at the time of this review has over sixty other books available through Audible.

Because of the high number of people with dyslexia, you can be guaranteed either you have dyslexia or you know someone who does; family, friend, co-workers, etc. What is important about this book, unlike many others on the subject, it does not focus on the disadvantages of those with dyslexia, but instead it presents its advantages. That is why it is titled The Dyslexic Advantage. Even though the book was reprinted in and the audiobook released in , I found the research and examples provide relevant event today; five years later.

The only thing I felt the book lacked was some detail involving recent research around dyslexia and genetic findings. In recent years, some newer research has shown there may be a genetic tie or component which in the near future may be able to more easily be diagnosed than the how it is done today. The book is very powerful and eye opening for anyone interested in the subject of dyslexia, I highly recommend it. Let me say up front that I am an adult who grew up with mild dyslexia and never knew it. I was often called the class clown or the kid that could not read aloud when asked by my teachers.

My way of hiding or compensating for this difficulty was to make it into a joke or have an excuse ready; I know many of you have been in this same position. The things that often came easy for most of my classmates I found extremely difficult such as: However, there were things I discovered that were often easy for me such as navigation pre-GPS days that often were more difficult for others without dyslexia. It was not until late in my life that I receive confirmation of being dyslexic and at that time the lights went on in my head as I looked back at my school and work life difficulties.

So much of what is also covered in this book helped solidify my previous diagnoses which I often wanted to suppress from others. You can see, this book is a bit more difficult and personal for me to review because it is a topic that hits home in many ways. The overall premise of this book is to give the person with dyslexia or the parent of a dyslexic child an understanding of the way a dyslexic person processes information with is simply different from the rest of the world. It is not wrong, simply different. There may be challenges with spelling, grammar, and reading; however, there are other areas of strengths or advantages such a creativity, special awareness, etc.

The book was very uplifting and encouraging as many of us who have been diagnosed have been told over and over that we were slow, stupid, lazy, or people would wonder how we could have mess up a simple thing being very intelligent in other areas of our lives. The book mentions finding ways to assist your weaknesses, and I found for myself that technology was a great compensator. Word processing aides me in spelling and grammar, calculators or Excel assist me with mathematics, and just being able to write and print something to the printer that is legible for others to read it amazing in and of itself.

The book opens by defining what dyslexia is and what it is not, its advantages and its disadvantages. It progresses into the various thought patterns and ways a dyslexic person sees the world and often how the rest of the world perceives us. These advantages of the dyslexic found in the authors years of research along with other research is the core of what this book is about.

Leverage your strengths while working on the areas of weakness, you need to know them both. In later chapters the book gives suggestions and assistance for nearly every level or age where dyslexic people struggle: Jobs that are more atypical from the normal job can be more difficult for the dyslexic person.

Jobs such as these are becoming more and more available for people in specific industries. I often found myself gravitating to these areas as others affirmed I was strong in them. There is also a section debating the question of notifying your employer of your dyslexia. So many books are now available in audio format there is no longer an excuse to keep yourself from learning via books.

I also discovered, as the author points out, that I can often listen to audiobooks at a much faster speed than I could ever read them; and many in my family cannot understand how I can comprehend them, but I do. Digital books often have a means of reading them out loud or other tools that will speak sentences with a simple swipe. The audio quality is professional and there were no noticeable audio artifacts detected while listening to the book.

The pacing of the book was a bit slower than I found prefer, but is can be easily modified by the application used to listen to the book. I could continue to write pages on the different M, D, I, N, and other strengths discussed in the book, but I will leave these to be discovered by the reader.

If you are interested in the subject or simply want to be educated on the subject for whatever reason, The Dyslexic Advantage is a great book. Sep 20, Jessica rated it it was amazing. I have never suspected any dyslexia in myself personally, but with new diagnoses in the family, I've been learning a lot more. So many points in this book rang true to personal experiences or those in the family. Strengths in material reasoning, interconnected reasoning, dynamic reasoning? We have those in spades. Trade-off weaknesses in recognizing orientation in symbols, rote memorization, and backwards problem-solving?

Yeah, h Oh, wow. Yeah, hi, I'm familiar. The Eide's anecdotes were well-placed and illustrative, and several surprised me. More than one geologist was used as an example, and I had no idea that Sarah Andrews, an author of a mystery series starring a geologist protagonist that I've long enjoyed, was dyslexic. Andrews received an extensive profile and I found her experiences with interconnected and dynamic reasoning incredibly familiar.

I feel that for a long time I have intuited much of the information in this book hello, dynamic reasoning , and because of that I've been able to give my kids a good foundation, but it was very good to see it confirmed in print. This one is going on the shelf. Recommended for anyone who wants to understand and help a dyslexic or stealth dyslexic.

Mar 30, Shawn Thornton rated it it was amazing. It doesn't affect my reading but my spelling is atrocious. It made life difficult in school but I got through it. That's my moan over. Every human being in this world has their hurdles to jump. I work with children with severe intellectual disabilities. There are people with incurable diseases. There are idiots blowing each other up over fucking religion and politics. So I will take dyslexia any day. Dyslexia is a pain in the ass but it has also pushed me to do things that I mig I have dyslexia. Dyslexia is a pain in the ass but it has also pushed me to do things that I might not have done because I decided a long time ago I wasn't going to let it rule or ruin my life.

I would recommend this book to any one interested in the way the dyslexic brain works. For parents of children who have dyslexia and of course to any one who has dyslexia. This book won't fix your dyslexia but it might just give you a little confidence boost and there is nothing wrong with that. Jan 13, Debbie rated it it was amazing. In fact if anything it is obsessed with finding polar opposites: Alongside detailed analysis using a combination of trials and MRI scans, the writers discuss the fact that: To use their analogy; someone with autism cannot see the wood for the trees.

On the other hand, a person with dyslexia can see or intricately imagine the forest as an interconnected whole. This is something we have also found to be true in our work with children. The on-going stress and trauma that comes from never learning to read with confidence dominates many lives, and can lead to unemployment, anti-social behavior and emotional problems.

There is clearly a value in examining what has lead a person to sight read and not decode, and a synthetic phonics approach can usefully draw on those skills in redirecting the reading pathway. However, we cannot deny that the crippling disadvantages for a child that never learns to read far outweigh the compensations. The brain is an amazing thing, and there is some fantastic detail in this book about what makes us tick, and how different we all are in our own ways. I do feel there is a danger in separating the population into two opposing camps: Aptitude for map-reading, the ability to view concepts and solutions in a three dimensional way, and creative innovation are attributes not exclusively and entirely possessed by people who are dyslexic.

A person whose difficulty with reading cannot be explained by their intelligence might be more likely to display these skills, but everyone is unique. Furthermore, in spite of their positive outlook on the topic, even these writers cannot deny that unless symptoms of reading and writing difficulty are dealt with, preferably at a young age, a child will not outgrow their difficulties.

Therefore, no matter their additional strengths and skills, living in our highly literate modern world can be very difficult indeed.

• Napoléon Le Petit (French Edition)
• History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 6
• Allocating Scholarships for Army ROTC
• A Selection from His Letters
• Rich Tradition: How Rich Brooks Revived the Football Fortunes of the Kentucky Wildcats by Tom Leach