I am still thinking about...neurodiversity

It was only 16 years ago (2007) that the New Zealand Ministry of Education officially recognised dyslexia as a condition. This, according to Mike Styles, literacy expert who has worked in education and specifically dyslexia for 20 years. Ref: Styles, M. (2022) Congratulations You have dyslexia - Great Minds think Differently. I met Mike recently at an event where he was speaking as part of a book promotion event and what a great advocate and speaker he was.

We often hear quoted that workers are not a problem to be solved, they are a source of solving your problems. In a similar vain Styles states that "dyslexia is not a problem to be solved or even a disease to be cured, it is something that should be embraced and celebrated"

Some of the myths of dyslexia include

• That it is an indicator of low intelligence...wrong!!, plenty of intelligent people are dyslexic, Einstein, Churchill, JFK, Hilfiger, Gates, Jobs, Branson, Spielberg, Lennon.
• Like other neurological conditions it has often been thought this was something that only boys had...wrong!!. This is a condition that can effect anyone, regardless of gender, language or ethnicity.

These myths however are far outweighed by the positive powers that dyslexic people have.

• Spatial and 3 dimensional skills.
• Innovative thinkers with strong imagination and curiosity
• Pattern recognition and great builders and puzzle solvers
• High EQ and empathy

And many more

Actually, in terms of language they say that cultures who use picture based language (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) have less of their population that might be dyslexic. Languages such as Italian and Te Reo are also easier for dyslexic people to use due to the links between the way words are spelt and how they sound.

I have been thinking about dyslexia and how organisations can create environments that benefit from the skills of a diverse part of our community?

• Consider technology that is aimed at helping dyslexic people with reading, writing and language. Apps such as Dyslexia Aid and products such as Smart Pens with dot paper and Reader Pens are all available.
• If you are an educational institution, have you signed up to the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark?
• Does our organisation recognise the daily skills that many neurotypical people take for granted, but dyslexic people may struggle with, timekeeping, reading and writing, information overload, sense of direction, concentration.

By the way, 1 in 10 New Zealanders are dyslexic! that's about the same number of people who are left handed, what does that mean for your business?. Mike Styles recounted a story of Sir Bob Charles, our most famous (left handed) golfer (and as far as we know, not dyslexic) who was provided with the resources to enable him to play and win on the world stage with his left handed clubs. His difference was able to be accommodated, how can we accommodate other areas of difference?