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Steven Spielberg
Filmmaker · DyslexiaDiagnosed in his sixties, he has said storytelling on film was how he made sense of the world when words on a page would not cooperate.
Dyslexic minds
Dyslexia is a different way of thinking, not a limit on it.
Children who learn differently, with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or ADHD, are often the strongest problem-solvers, storytellers, and big-picture thinkers in the room. What they need is not less ambition, but teaching built for how their brain works. Here are a few who found their way.
Different, not less
Wired for a different set of strengths.
The same brain that struggles with reading often excels somewhere else. Structured teaching removes the roadblock so those strengths can shine.
Big-picture thinking
Creativity
Problem-solving
Storytelling
Spatial reasoning
Pattern spotting
Empathy
Resilience
In good company
Minds who changed their fields
Each of these people has spoken openly about learning differently, with dyslexia, ADHD, and related differences, and about succeeding not in spite of how they think, but because of it.
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Richard Branson
Founder, Virgin · DyslexiaStruggled through school with dyslexia and now credits it for his instinct to simplify, delegate, and think in the big picture.
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Whoopi Goldberg
Actress & host · DyslexiaCalled “slow” as a child before dyslexia was understood, she went on to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.
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Keira Knightley
Actress · DyslexiaDiagnosed at six, she worked through scripts with her family and used acting as motivation to keep reading.
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Octavia Spencer
Actress & author · DyslexiaAn Oscar winner who also writes children’s mysteries, she speaks about dyslexia as a difference, not a deficit.
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Henry Winkler
Actor & author · DyslexiaUndiagnosed until adulthood, he now writes a beloved children’s book series about a boy with dyslexia.
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Charles Schwab
Investor & founder · DyslexiaBuilt one of the largest financial firms in the world and has funded decades of research and support for dyslexic learners.
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Jamie Oliver
Chef & author · DyslexiaHas published dozens of best-selling cookbooks despite finishing his first full novel only as an adult.
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Agatha Christie
Author · DyslexiaThe best-selling novelist of all time struggled with writing and spelling her whole life, and told stories aloud before she wrote them down.
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Carol Greider
Nobel laureate, biology · DyslexiaWon the Nobel Prize for her work on DNA and has said dyslexia pushed her toward the hands-on, problem-solving science she excelled at.
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Jennifer Aniston
Actress · DyslexiaDiagnosed as an adult, she said the news explained a lifetime of feeling “not smart,” and finally let her stop blaming herself.
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Orlando Bloom
Actor · DyslexiaCredits his mother and hard work for getting him through dyslexia, and speaks to kids about turning the struggle into fuel.
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Tom Cruise
Actor · DyslexiaDiagnosed at seven, he memorized scripts by listening and became one of the most successful actors in film history.
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Tim Tebow
Athlete & author · DyslexiaA Heisman-winning quarterback and author who is open about dyslexia and champions kids who learn differently.
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Cher
Singer & actress · Dyslexia & dyscalculiaLeft school early and was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, then built one of the most enduring careers in entertainment.
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Tommy Hilfiger
Fashion designer · DyslexiaStruggled through school with undiagnosed dyslexia and built a global brand on visual instinct rather than the written word.
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Daymond John
Entrepreneur · DyslexiaThe FUBU founder and investor says dyslexia taught him to focus on strengths and surround himself with the right people.
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John Irving
Novelist · DyslexiaNeeded an extra year to finish high school and now writes award-winning novels, working slowly and rereading everything many times.
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Michael Phelps
Olympic swimmer · ADHDTold as a boy that he would never focus on anything, he became the most decorated Olympian of all time.
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Simone Biles
Olympic gymnast · ADHDOpen about competing with ADHD, she is widely considered the greatest gymnast in history.
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will.i.am
Musician & producer · ADHDCredits his ADHD for the restless creativity behind a career of chart-topping music and technology work.
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD often travel together, and they often travel with real gifts. Whatever the label, the right teaching changes the story.
The most important thing to know
A dyslexic child is not behind on ability. They are waiting on the right teaching.
Your child could be one of these minds. The sooner the teaching fits how they learn, the sooner that starts to show. Let us help you find the next step.