This is so exciting! Although the term dyslexic thinking has been around since the early 2000s, it officially made it into the dictionary as a noun and LinkedIn added it as a job skill for its users to add to their profiles in March 2022. Both of these amazing developments are all thanks to a successful campaign spearheaded by Made By Dyslexia, in partnership with dyslexic advocate, Richard Branson.

Dictionary.com defines dyslexic thinking as “an approach to problem solving, assessing information, and learning, often used by people with dyslexia, that involves pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking, and interpersonal communication.” But it’s far more than that.

Dyslexic thinking skills align closely with so many of the skills that have been identified as right brain thinking skills as well.

• Imagining and creating relates to creating an original piece of work or giving ideas a new turn.
• Visualizing relates to interacting with space, senses, physical ideas, and new concepts.
• Connecting relates to understanding self, connecting, empathizing, and influencing others.
• Exploring is being curious about why and exploring ideas.
• Reasoning is understanding patterns, evaluating possibilities, and making decisions.
• Communicating relates to crafting and conveying clear and engaging messages.

This is an amazing advancement in how we value these divergent thinking abilities. My hope is that in the near future, we can get this distinction for all right brain skills.