Links with Dyslexia
As a neurodiverse individual with dyslexia, I’ve come to realize that my brain processes the world differently from neurotypical individuals. For me, actions and behaviors carry more weight than words. While neurotypical individuals may overestimate the power of what they say, I instinctively gather more from what people do—how they carry themselves, their consistency, and the patterns in their actions. This isn’t just a personal observation; it’s tied to the way my brain is wired.
Dyslexia isn’t just about struggling with reading or writing. It’s part of a larger picture of neurodiversity, and the science supports this. Studies show a significant comorbidity between dyslexia and other neurodiverse traits:
ADHD: Around 25-40% of individuals with dyslexia also have ADHD. This overlap often results in heightened pattern recognition and multitasking abilities, but it also amplifies challenges with traditional forms of communication.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Approximately 20-30% of autistic individuals also experience dyslexia, which further demonstrates how language processing and communication can differ in neurodiverse brains.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia): Dyslexia is frequently linked with coordination challenges, emphasizing how interconnected learning differences can influence how we perceive and navigate the world.
The common thread here is that neurodiverse individuals like me rely on non-verbal cues, patterns, and behaviors more than words to interpret intent and meaning. Neurotypical people often emphasize what they say, but I’ve found that their words are sometimes out of sync with their actions. For someone like me, who instinctively notices patterns in human behavior, this dissonance stands out.
For example, where a neurotypical person might hear a confident speech and take it at face value, I analyze the tone, posture, consistency, and whether their behavior aligns with their claims. My dyslexia might mean I miss certain nuances in language, but it sharpens my ability to detect patterns in human behavior, making me more attuned to authenticity and consistency.
The science behind this comes down to how neurodiverse brains are wired:
Dyslexia involves atypical development in the left hemisphere, which governs language. This leads to challenges with processing written or spoken words but often enhances visual-spatial reasoning and pattern recognition.
Shared genetic and neurological traits among dyslexia, ADHD, and autism further explain why neurodiverse individuals often rely more on behavior and less on verbal communication for understanding.
In essence, I experience the world through a lens that prioritizes action over language. Neurotypical individuals might not realize this disconnect, but for people like me, words are only a small piece of the puzzle. It’s the patterns, the consistency—or inconsistency—of actions that reveal the truth.
