Dyslexic children can struggle at school, finding it hard to read and write. Yet dyslexia does not affect intelligence and dyslexic children can still be intelligent.
Some studies have found that people with dyslexia might have higher IQs. Due to dyslexic people having strengths in the following areas:
All these dyslexic strengths can make a dyslexic child very good at Science, Maths and Engineering. These are subject that are usually associated with having a high IQ and intelligence.
Yet other studies have not found a big difference in the IQ of dyslexic people and people without dyslexia.
Many dyslexic people have gone onto be famous and highly successful. Including Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver and Jennifer Aniston.
Richard Branson does not have a high IQ and feels it is more valuable to have high emotional intelligence. That it is better to:
For more successful dyslexic people see:
Researchers haven't found a clear answer to the question of whether people with dyslexia have different IQs than people without dyslexia.
Some studies have shown no difference, while others have found that people with dyslexia may do better in certain areas, like speaking quickly or thinking in pictures.
But overall, the research is mixed, and it's hard to say for sure whether there's a connection between dyslexia and IQ.
It's important to remember that IQ tests only measure certain skills, like problem-solving and using words well. Intelligence is much broader than that, and it also includes creativity, getting along with others, and understanding your feelings.
So, even if someone has a high IQ, they may still have strengths and weaknesses in other areas.
It's important to remember that IQ tests don't measure everything that makes a person smart. They only measure things like:
But intelligence is much more than that. It's also about:
In the UK, more and more people are realising that people with dyslexia have a lot to offer. Many people with dyslexia have been very successful in all sorts of areas such as:
People with dyslexia often have:
If you're a parent or teacher of a child with dyslexia, it's important to focus on their strengths and give them the help they need to succeed.
There are lots of resources available in the UK to help kids with dyslexia, like special tutoring, tools that make learning easier, and special programs at school.
So, to answer the question, do people with dyslexia in the UK have higher IQs than the rest of the population?
We can't say for sure. But one thing is for sure people with dyslexia have a lot to offer, and we should all appreciate their strengths.
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects how people read and write. It can slow down reading speed and make it harder to understand words.
Some studies say that dyslexia might affect how people do on IQ tests. Yet this may-be due to them struggling with reading and writing the questions and answers.
Other factors that can be a disadvantage when doing a IQ test for a dyslexic child can be:
High functioning dyslexic children may have dyslexia yet are still able to achieve at school. They may have other skills and a high level of intelligence, that allows them to find ways to overcome the challenges of dyslexia.
A high-functioning dyslexic child may have the following skills, that allows them to learn, even when they struggle to read, write and spell:
Gifted dyslexic people have made great contributions to society in many areas, including science, art, and business. They are a valuable part of our society, and we should all celebrate their strengths.
To help a dyslexic child understand and focus on their strengths. See 10 min activities below:
For dyslexia friendly activities to do with a child see "Mooki Cards". Complete with 56 cards and storage wallet. Perfect for using at home or in the classroom. Order your "Mooki Cards" here!
Get jargon free tips and advice to help your dyslexic child at home and in school.
