Dyslexia: Deficits Form Foundation For Success

A new study shows that 39% of American entrepeneurs suffered with dyslexia. It's an amazing number really, when contrasted with the 1% of people in the business world with the disability. Why would people with this problem turn into successful business people?

One reason that dyslexics are drawn to entrepreneurship, Professor Logan said, is that strategies they have used since childhood to offset their weaknesses in written communication and organizational ability — identifying trustworthy people and handing over major responsibilities to them — can be applied to businesses.

“The willingness to delegate authority gives them a significant advantage over nondyslexic entrepreneurs, who tend to view their business as their baby and like to be in total control,” she said.

I've mentioned Temple Grandin before, the autistic woman who has revolutionized American slaughter houses. It seems that these deficits can be channeled and should be. Every autistic person I've ever met sees the world in some unique way and has something to give that is special. There needs to be as much focus on using those special traits as finding a cure.

People shouldn't languish away from the world, when they have something the world needs. In the case of autism though, the world has to go to the autistic person, and that's the challenge.