Dyslexic Thinking

Why every school should be trained to recognise and empower it

Education serves as the foundation for preparing our children for their future. Its purpose is to cultivate the skills necessary for leading fulfilling and successful lives, while also preparing children for the workplaces of tomorrow. While workplaces are changing fast thanks to the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), one thing remains certain: the skills humans will need to work alongside technology are an exact match for Dyslexic Thinking skills. It is time to empower teachers and parents to recognise and support this unique way of thinking.

Dyslexic Thinking is Valued and Vital Extensive research consistently emphasises the invaluable need for Dyslexic Thinking skills. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Dyslexic Thinking skills are now regarded as “soft skills” or “power skills”, which are crucial for the workplace. These soft skills are the indemand human abilities that AI cannot replicate.

The top five skills highlighted by the WEF (including analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, motivation and self-awareness, curiosity and lifelong learning) are a direct match for Dyslexic Thinking skills.

Dyslexic Thinking is now recognised as a valuable workplace skill on LinkedIn and has been added as a noun in the dictionary, thanks to our successful campaign with Richard Branson and the Virgin Group in 2022.

Dyslexic Thinking Skills are Essential for the New AI-Powered Workplace Dyslexic Thinking is the perfect co-pilot for AI in the workplace. While AI excels at aggregating information, Dyslexic Thinking excels at innovation. Together, they create an unstoppable force that every modern workplace needs. As our educational institutions adapt to the AI- shaped world, we must act swiftly to empower Dyslexic Thinking, because one in five learners in every classroom is dyslexic and they are hard-wired to thrive in this AI-driven era.

Research Shows Teachers Still Need Training

While workplaces are starting to embrace the strengths of Dyslexic Thinking, schools are in the process of catching up. Our research indicates that 94% of educators believe that teachers need more training to understand and support Dyslexic Thinking. At Made By Dyslexia, our mission is to provide training for every teacher and workplace to empower Dyslexic Thinking

- we want every teacher to have the tools they need to create inclusive classrooms where Dyslexic Thinkers can thrive.

Right now, many schools concentrate on addressing the challenges associated with dyslexia, and this is key. Many educators understand the importance of early screening to identify dyslexic students, as evidence-based teaching methods and technology can help these learners overcome difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. But while this focus on intervention is essential, it is only part of the solution.

We Must Also Empower Dyslexic Strengths

To gain a comprehensive understanding, it is vital to recognise and support Dyslexic Thinking skills. This is clear to see when you look at the cognitive skills profile of a dyslexic and compare it to one belonging to someone without dyslexia. Dyslexics excel in some areas, often scoring in the top percentiles, while struggling in others. If we are going to prepare dyslexic learners for today’s workplace, we must recognise that the skills they index highly on are vital too - they are the exact skills every workplace needs. We must address dyslexia as a whole.

That’s why Made By Dyslexia has created a new, free training course: “Dyslexic Thinking in

Schools”, available on Microsoft Learn. It sets out what Dyslexic Thinking is, how to recognise and empower it at school and at home, and why it’s vital we empower it. It also explains the impact of language, the transformative potential of AI in the classroom, and how to create a school environment where both dyslexic learners and dyslexic staff are empowered to thrive.

The course, created and led by me, features insights from Gavin Horgan, Head of Millfield Schools in Somerset, UK. He passionately advocates for this training, emphasising that it is essential for teachers to have the tools to support all learners effectively. The training, he adds, is short and focuses on attitude and leadership, making it easy for educators to implement.

The training is available online through Microsoft Learn, accessible to all, whether you are a school training staff, a teacher pursuing individual training or a parent seeking to support and empower your brilliant dyslexic learner at home. The course complements Made By Dyslexia’s other offerings on Microsoft Learn, allowing users to delve deeper into supporting dyslexic learners in areas ranging from literacy to technology and beyond.

KATE GRIGGS Expert in Dyslexic Thinking and founder of Made by Dyslexia