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Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in Schools

1. Introduction: Defining Dyslexic Thinking as a valuable skill

In this course, you’ll hear from Kate Griggs, Dyslexic Thinking expert and Founder of the global charity, Made By Dyslexia, who explains why now is the time to empower Dyslexic Thinking in every school and every home:

  • AI is transforming the world, reshaping the jobs we do and the skills we need to do them.

  • While AI can support more tasks, it can’t replace the soft skills or power skills that every organisation needs.

  • These skills are an exact match for Dyslexic Thinking.

  • While Dyslexic Thinking is becoming more widely understood and valued in the workplace, more progress needs to be made in education.

This course helps every teacher and parent understand what Dyslexic Thinking is and how easy it is to empower it.

   It’s time to define Dyslexic Thinking as a valuable skill

Timing: 5 minutes

In this video, Kate explains why it’s now more important than ever to empower Dyslexic Thinkers at school and at home.

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Learning outcomes

 

Once you’ve completed this course, you'll be able to:

 

  • Understand the 7 Dyslexic Thinking skills in children.

  • Explain why Dyslexic Thinking skills are vital in the workplace.

  • Teachers: Create inclusive classrooms where Dyslexic Thinkers thrive.

  • Parents: Support and empower Dyslexic Thinkers at home.

  • Describe how technology and AI can transform dyslexic learning and teaching.

If you complete all the elements of this course's learning (content and knowledge check), a digital badge will be sent to you via the email address you used to enrol on the course (usually within 36 hours).

You can add the badge to your LinkedIn profile as well as sharing it on other social media accounts.

Let's move on to learn more about what Dyslexic Thinking is.

1.1 Understanding dyslexia today

Dyslexic brains process information differently.

This results in a pattern of strengths and challenges.

Our strengths, known as Dyslexic Thinking skills, are now highly sought after in the workplace. They align with the top five skills the World Economic Forum (2025) says are needed to thrive in a world with technological advances and new AI capabilities.

Top 5 skills

1. Analytical thinking.

2. Creative thinking.

3. Resilience, flexibility, and agility.

4. Motivation and self-awareness.

5. Curiosity and life-long learning.

In the classroom, the current focus is on supporting dyslexic challenges (and this is vital). But to prepare learners for today’s workplace, we must also nurture dyslexic strengths – because they’re the exact skills every workplace needs, according to the World Economic Forum (2025).

We must address dyslexia as a whole.

   Understanding dyslexia today

Timing: 9 minutes

In this video, Kate describes how dyslexics process information differently.

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1.2 Dyslexic Thinking skills

There are 7 Dyslexic Thinking archetypes in children.

Most dyslexics are a combination of a few of these, rarely all!

7 Dyslexic Thinking archetypes in children

1. Storytellers.

2. Makers.

3. Entertainers.

4. Movers.

5. Imaginers.

6. Questioners.

7. ‘People’ people.

As teachers and parents, the key is to help children understand and value their Dyslexic Thinking skills. When you do, they're unstoppable in whichever field they choose.

Four in five successful dyslexics attribute their success to their Dyslexic Thinking, including space scientist and communicator, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. She says:

“I wish teachers were aware of the yin and the yang with dyslexia because there are some challenges, the written word, spelling, things like that are more difficult for dyslexics but the imagination, the storytelling, the communication, the empathy, all these positives are sometimes neglected. And they are what make us successful”.

 

   Dyslexic Thinking in kids

Timing: 8 minutes

Watch this video in which Kate describes the 7 Dyslexic Thinking archetypes in kids.

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1.3 The power of language

Shifting the language from negative to positive is a small step that makes a huge difference in empowering your Dyslexic Thinkers at school and at home.

3 ways to empower your language today:

  • Reframe dyslexia as a positive.

  • Be positive and empowering when talking about dyslexic challenges.

  • Think about how you talk about dyslexia in school and at home.

 

5 positive ways to explain dyslexia:

  • Dyslexic brains think differently.

  • Dyslexics are extraordinarily good at certain things.

  • The world needs Dyslexic Thinking.

  • You may need to work harder, but your imagination is your superpower.

  • Many of the world’s brilliant minds had dyslexia.

 

   The power of language

Timing: 8 minutes

In this video, Kate explains how the language you use to talk about dyslexia can reshape perceptions.

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2. Offer support so Dyslexic Thinking can thrive

The first step in supporting Dyslexic Thinking, is identifying it.

Knowing you are dyslexic is empowering for kids, teachers, and parents. It helps build confidence and resilience.

Dyslexia can be identified at 5 years or earlier. The earlier it’s discovered and supported, the sooner dyslexic kids catch up and keep up.

This section will show you how to identify it, advocate for it and empower it with technology and AI.

2.1 Identifying Dyslexic Thinking

Some educators are nervous to label a child as dyslexic. But this is a mistake.

Identification is vital for a child’s self-understanding.

Four in five dyslexics say that knowing they had dyslexia at school helped them develop the perseverance and resilience needed to succeed.

Dyslexia is often identified by challenges with reading and learning. But if we know what to look for, we can spot dyslexia by strengths too.

What to look for:

  • A spiky profile.

  • A mismatch in capability and work produced.

  • Often able to explain ideas verbally but struggle to get them down on paper.

  • Children who struggle to keep up with increasing workload.

  • Children who are experts in certain areas, not across the board.

  • Poor spelling.

 

   Identifying Dyslexic Thinking

Timing: 8 minutes

In this video, Kate explains you can spot dyslexia by its strengths – as well as the challenges.

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2.2 How to advocate for Dyslexic Thinkers

Our current education system isn’t designed for Dyslexic Thinking.

Tests rely on the ability to memorise facts and figures and regurgitate them against the clock. All things Dyslexic Thinkers struggle with.

However, in the real world, AI is taking over these kinds of tasks and the skills that dyslexics index highly in are now the world’s most sought-after skills.

Finding and focusing on dyslexic strengths is the secret to success for any dyslexic learner. And creating a strengths-first, inclusive classroom, is vital for teachers to do.

5 ways to advocate for dyslexia as a student (or parent):

  • Make sure teachers understand your strengths and challenges.
  • Explain your challenges so they aren’t misunderstood.
  • Understand how you learn best.
  • Be upfront and ask for adjustments.
  • Use technology to level the playing field.

 

5 ways to advocate for dyslexia as a teacher:

  • Dyslexic learners are often built for the world, not for school.
  • Take a strengths-based approach.
  • Dyslexic learners are brilliant thinkers but need more time.
  • Technology is a key asset for dyslexic learners.
  • Give options and choices in assessments and tests.

 

   Advocating for dyslexic thinkers

Timing: 11 minutes

In this video, Kate explains how you can advocate for dyslexic thinkers as a student, a teacher or a parent.

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2.3 Adjustments, assistive technologies, and AI for Dyslexic Thinking

Every teacher wants their learners to do their best work, and as learners and parents, we want that too.

Often, we don’t need to make huge changes to create a classroom that empowers Dyslexic Thinking. Simple things can make a big difference.

5 simple things that make a big difference:

  • Getting notes and lesson information ahead of time.
  • Don’t measure dyslexics on their spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  • Give Dyslexic Thinkers time to do what they do best… think.
  • Allow extra time in tests and assessments.
  • Use a multisensory approach to learning.

 

5 ways technology can make a big difference:

  • Speech to text tools help get ideas on paper.
  • Spell check and grammar check fixes simple errors.
  • Organisation and productivity tools like Microsoft OneNote.
  • Visual presentations like PowerPoint aid comprehension.
  • AI is a great copilot to Dyslexic Thinking.

 

   Technology and Dyslexic Thinking

Timing: 7 minutes

In this video, Kate explains how adjustments, assistive technologies, and AI can be a game-changer for dyslexic thinkers.

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3. Tailor testing and exams for Dyslexic Thinking

Standardised tests often measure dyslexic challenges, rather than valuing their strengths.

But as we enter the fifth industrial revolution, powered by human minds and machines, the intelligence the world needs now is changing. The skills that standardised tests are designed to test are in sharp decline. While the skills that dyslexic thinkers have are in high demand.

This section will show you how testing and exams need to evolve in the future to meet the current needs of the workplace and how you can support dyslexic learners to meet the demands of our current system today.

3.1 The school to work pipeline

Dyslexic Thinking is highly valued in the workplace.

The world’s biggest careers platform – LinkedIn – recognises it. And some of the biggest global employers – HSBC, EY and Microsoft – are actively recruiting for it.

Dyslexic Thinking skills are an exact match for the skills identified in the World Economic Forum’s Top Skills For The Future report (2025).

Top Dyslexic Thinking skills

1. Analytical thinking.

2. Creative thinking.

3. Resilience, flexibility, and agility.

4. Motivation and self-awareness.

5. Curiosity and life-long learning.

But recruiters (Randstad, 2024) say the world of education needs to catch up and begin to recognise and nurture Dyslexic Thinking skills.

Leading educators agree (Intelligence 5.0 report, 2024) that schools, universities, and workplaces need to work together to prepare learners for the rapidly changing workplace.

   The school-to-work pipeline

Timing: 3 minutes

In this video, Kate explains that the skills dyslexics are hard-wired with, are now the most in demand in the workplace.

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3.2 Standardised tests and Dyslexic Thinking

Standardised tests are challenging for dyslexics, with their emphasis on memorising information, assimilating knowledge, and relaying it in timed tests.

AI has already been proven to ace standardised tests (OECD, 2016 and 2021) – doing better than most humans! But in a world where humans use AI as a copilot, it’s the human ability to think differently that employers are placing value on.

Over time, educators will need to rethink how to assess learners to prepare them for workplaces they'll enter.

But here are five ways we can support Dyslexic Thinkers in tests and assessment TODAY.

5 ways to support Dyslexic Thinkers today

1. Offer a range of ways to showcase work.

2. Focus on coursework and project-led assignments.

3. Acknowledge that tests are difficult, but that Dyslexic Thinking skills are the skills of the future.

4. Give adjustments to level the playing field including time and technology.

5. Place more emphasis on preparing learners for life, not tests.

 

   Standardised tests and Dyslexic Thinking

Timing: 2 minutes

Watch this video in which Kate explains how standardised tests disadvantage dyslexic thinkers – and how you can support them.

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4. Support and community

To truly empower Dyslexic Thinking in every school and every home, we can work together to build communities who learn about Dyslexic Thinking, share the knowledge with their network, and spread the change.

Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, you can champion Dyslexic Thinking by sharing this training with your school community, teachers, learners, parents and support staff so everyone understands Dyslexic Thinking, and provides opportunities for it to be showcased and celebrated.

This section will show you how.

4.1 Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in your school ecosystem

As expert communicators who are curious and passionate about the topics they teach, it’s no surprise that many dyslexics become brilliant teachers.

But does your school’s culture enable them to do their best work? And does everyone around them understand and value their Dyslexic Thinking skills?

Take Made By Dyslexia’s free training on LinkedIn. In just 60 minutes, you learn how to empower the Dyslexic Thinking skills that create a workplace or school where dyslexic teachers thrive. And when everyone has trained, your school earns the Employ Dyslexia badge, which shows your school empowers Dyslexic Thinking among its workforce.

You can also find lots of brilliant resources on DyslexicU.

   Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in your school ecosystem

Timing: 1 minute

In this video, Kate explores how to create work cultures where dyslexic teachers are also empowered to thrive.

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5. Conclusion

Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in Schools – and at home – relies on understanding the 7 Dyslexic Thinking skills in kids and recognising how valuable these skills are in our new fast-changing, AI-driven world.

While school comes with challenges, identifying dyslexic thinkers early, putting in place accommodations and support, and using technology and AI to help them thrive is a game-changer for any dyslexic learner.

The most important thing any teacher or parent can do for a dyslexic child is to help them find and focus on their dyslexic strengths. This is not only crucial for building self-esteem, but it will also lead them into successful careers and happy and fulfilling lives beyond the classroom.

All the research agrees, from the World Economic Forum (2025) to the world’s largest recruitment organisation, Randstad Enterprise (2024), these strengths are the skills that are now the most-sought after in every job, in every sector, worldwide.

So, it’s never been more important to spot and empower them. And this course will have shown you how to do exactly that.

If you’ve enjoyed this course, there is further training available from Made By Dyslexia on Microsoft Learn.

 

 

Now that you’ve completed this course, you're able to:

 

  • Understand the 7 Dyslexic Thinking skills in children.

  • Explain why Dyslexic Thinking skills are vital in the workplace.

  • Teachers: Create inclusive classrooms where Dyslexic Thinkers thrive.

  • Parents: Support and empower Dyslexic Thinkers at home.

  • Describe how technology and AI can transform dyslexic learning and teaching.

6. End-of-course knowledge check

A large blue question mark on a white background.

Now that you’ve completed the course, it’s time to try the knowledge check.

The quiz has 5 questions. It has a pass grade of 70% and provides you with feedback depending upon the mark you achieve. You can take the quiz as many times as you would like until you pass.

If you have completed all the elements of this course's learning and successfully pass the knowledge check, your digital badge will be sent to you via the email address you used to enrol on the course (usually within 36 hours). You can then add the badge to your LinkedIn profile as well as sharing it on other social media accounts.

Now go to the knowledge check

Click here: Knowledge check

7. Further resources

Your knowledge on empowering Dyslexic Thinking in schools needn’t stop here.

Learn

Take further training:

  • Visit Microsoft Learn to take our 3 other courses:

    • Dyslexia Awareness.

    • Dyslexia Teaching.

    • Dyslexia and Technology.

Read these books:

Listen to these podcasts:

  • Listen to Made By Dyslexia’s podcast, Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking, to understand how Dyslexic Thinking has turbocharged the careers of everyone:
    • From the world’s most successful entrepreneurs (Richard Branson, Barbara Corcoran).
    • To leading scientists (Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock).
    • Top chefs (Marc Murphy, Andy Cooks).
    • And the world’s most inspirational changemakers (Lonnie Ali, Erin Brockovich, Jean Oelwang).
    • Available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon – wherever you get your podcasts.

Read the research:

  • Read why Dyslexic Thinking skills are now the most sought after skills in the workplace, in Made By Dyslexia’s Intelligence 5.0 report.

 

Share

Our training:

  • Share this training with your network, fellow teachers, parents, class WhatsApp groups and school.

Our quiz:

  • If you think a learner may be a Dyslexic Thinker, help them find their strengths by sharing our kids quiz.

 

Change

Change how the world understands and values Dyslexic Thinking:

  • By sharing what you have learned with other teachers, schools, and parents, you can help us change how the world understands and values Dyslexic Thinking.

  • Sea change starts with a ripple, and you can be that ripple.

All done?

If you have completed all the elements of this course's learning and successfully passed the knowledge check, your digital badge will be sent to you via the email address you used to enrol on the course (usually within 36 hours). You can then add the badge to your LinkedIn profile as well as sharing it on other social media accounts.

References

Made By Dyslexia (2024) Intelligence 5.0 report. Available at: https://www.madebydyslexia.org/MBD-Intelligence-5.0-Report.pdf (Accessed 28 May 2025).

OECD (2023) Is Education Losing the Race with Technology? AI’s progress in maths and reading. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/is-education-losing-the-race-with-technology_73105f99-en.html (Accessed 28 May 2025).

Randstad Enterprise (2024) Dyslexic skills key to thriving in an AI-driven workforce. Available at: https://www.randstadenterprise.com/insights/white-paper-and-report/made-by-dyslexia-intelligence-5-0/ (Accessed 23 April 2025).

World Economic Forum (2022) People with dyslexia have ‘enhanced abilities’. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/07/dyslexia-enhanced-abilities-studies/ (Accessed 23 April 2025).

World Economic Forum (2025) 'Top Skills For The Future', The Future of Jobs Report 2025. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/in-full/3-skills-outlook/ (Accessed 22 May 2025).

Acknowledgements

560413: Image: Course banner: © Made By Dyslexia. All videos © Made By Dyslexia.