Dyslexia in gifted children (dyslexia) is more common than you might think and affects around 10% of children. However, dyslexia is often misunderstood or not recognised.

How to recognise dyslexia in gifted children

The symptoms of dyslexia vary because, in addition to the child's external environment, up to 10 different genes play a role. Reading and writing difficulties are only one part of dyslexia. Dyslexics can also have difficulties with language, maths, motor skills, orientation, attention, right-left problems, memory and planning. The range of symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose the cause. In addition, it is very often overlooked that a highly gifted child may be behind the learning disability, as dyslexics actually tend to be particularly intelligent. The average intelligence quotient of dyslexics is higher than that of the general population.

If a child with a reading disability has difficulty connecting the letters to the sounds of the word, they will look for contextual clues to solve the problem so that no one may realise they have a reading disability. Over time, dyslexics become so adept at problem solving and finding alternatives to compensate for their weakness that they become exceptionally good brainstormers. Dyslexics often become the best thinkers in society.

Their extraordinary talent often works against them, as they master tests and problems much faster than their classmates, so that no one even suspects a learning disability. Their giftedness leads to a false diagnosis. Dyslexics are constantly perceived as lazy or disinterested because their learning disability is hidden behind their talent and intelligence.

Conversely, dyslexia is just as often diagnosed, but giftedness and intelligence are overlooked. Medical professionals look for the cause of a condition and develop a treatment plan. They are not looking for what is positive. Our brains are designed to self-correct and compensate. This is why you so often find extreme giftedness along with weakness.

It is important for parents to view their child's diagnosis with caution and to understand its complexity. For example, parents of a gifted child should not be so mesmerised by their child's genius that they ignore their child's learning problems and weaknesses. Similarly, parents whose child is diagnosed with dyslexia should not be so desperate that they fail to nurture their child's talents. Children are complex and complicated. It's often just a question of perspective, because you don't need to look far to see the positives alongside the negatives.