Famous People with Dyslexia
Imagine that you are a second grader, leaving the neuropsychologist’s office. You’ve completed diagnostic testing to evaluate the way that you think, read and write. You had to complete odd tasks, feeling nervous and increasingly tired. To top it all off, the neuropsychologist explained to your mom that you show characteristics of something called “dyslexia.” You could tell your mom was upset and maybe even a little sad. You leave feeling even more nervous, thinking “Is something wrong with me?”
At the time of a dyslexia diagnosis, your child might feel embarrassed and isolated. Imagine the feeling of hope they might experience when finding out that some of the most successful people they read about in books or see daily on the television also have dyslexia.
Historical Figures:
- Thomas Edison
- Henry Ford
- Scott Fitzgerald
- Pablo Picasso
Entrepreneurs:
- Ingvar Kamprad, Founder of IKEA
- Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Enterprises
- John T. Chambers, CEO, Cisco Systems
- Charles Schwab, Founder of Charles Schwab Corporation
Entertainment Celebrities:
- Billy Bob Thornton, writer, director and actor
- Whoopi Goldberg, Academy Award winning actress
- Keira Knightly, actress
- Jay Leno, TV entertainer
- Henry Winkler, actor and writer
See the website for the International Dyslexia Association for more “Success Stories” in the areas of science, research, politics, and law.
The diagnosis of dyslexia bears no reference to an individual’s intelligence. In fact, some scientists believe that people with dyslexia often are innovative thinkers due to different “hard-wiring” of the brain. As you can see from the above list of leading entertainers and business people in the United States, the diagnosis of dyslexia does not define or limit a child’s success in their career or life.
NSPT offers services in Bucktown, Evanston, Highland Park, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Lake Bluff and Des Plaines. If you have questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help! Give us a call at (877) 486-4140 and speak to one of our Family Child Advocates today!
