Dyslexia Is Not My Superpower: Embracing the Reality of My Learning Difference
For years, a well-intentioned narrative has floated around that dyslexia is a "superpower." The idea is that those of us with dyslexia might struggle to read or write, but we are somehow have an extraordinary creative or problem-solving abilities that set us apart from others. While it’s nice to think of dyslexia in a positive light—and I fully believe in celebrating our strengths—dyslexia is not my superpower. It’s a learning difference that I’ve had to work hard to manage, and it comes with its own set of challenges, but I have been able to overcome them.
Let me tell you why this matters.
The Reality of Living with Dyslexia
Growing up with dyslexia meant I had to fight against a system designed for neurotypical learners. While other children would read with ease I would spent most of my Literacy lessons just hoping that I wouldn’t have to read out loud. I always had to work harder than anyone else and it was exhausting. I was always worried about being ‘found out’ that I wasn’t a good speller or about to read with fluency. Reading, writing, and spelling weren’t just hard—they were exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes embarrassing.
Many times, I wished I could simply turn dyslexia into some kind of “superpower” to make sense of it all, to feel more in control. But here's the truth: dyslexia didn’t make me a superhero. It made me human but it took me years, even decades, to understand that this is ok. It gave me unique challenges that required resilience, hard work, and perseverance to overcome. And those qualities, not some mythical superpower, are what have helped me to get through my teaching career.
The Danger of the "Superpower" Myth
Don’t get me wrong: there are many amazing people with dyslexia who have excelled in various fields. From entrepreneurs to artists, scientists to athletes, dyslexics have made remarkable contributions to the world. But it’s important to acknowledge that this success is not because of dyslexia—it’s despite it. I think this myth of dyslexia being a superpower takes away from natural talent and hard work.
The "superpower" myth can create unrealistic expectations for people with dyslexia. It glosses over the real struggles and makes it seem like we should all have some hidden genius just waiting to emerge. This narrative can make those who don’t feel particularly “gifted” feel like failures. What if I don’t become a world-changing entrepreneur? What if I just want to be good at my job or finish a book without struggling? I finished reading my first book when I was 12 and it was such a proud moment. For other people, they may not even remember the first book they read cover to cover, but for me it stuck in my memory as being such as achievement.
Dyslexia doesn’t need to be a superpower to be valuable. For me the most valuable thing about having dyslexia is that it has given me a deep sense of empathy, resilience, and adaptability. These are the qualities that make me who I am, and good at my role of being a SENCo and dyslexia specialist.
Dyslexia Comes with Trade-Offs
I’ve learned to work with my dyslexia, but that has taken time, patience, and a struggle. I’ve had to adopt strategies that help me read and write more effectively. I’ve learnt to use technology and study skills to help me navigate a world that still places enormous value on the written word and with the opinion that if you can spell you must be a successful professional.
But these adaptations don’t erase the daily effort it takes. Sometimes, even with all the tools at my disposal, it can still feel like an uphill battle. And that's okay. It doesn’t mean I’m weak or that I’m missing out on my supposed “superpower.” It just means I’m living with a learning difference that requires different ways of thinking and working.
Shifting the Conversation
Instead of framing dyslexia as a superpower, I just like to identify what it is, a learning difference that shapes how we navigate the world. It doesn’t define us, but it does influence how we approach tasks, solve problems, and interact with others. For some of us, dyslexia might lead to creativity, lateral thinking, or problem-solving skills because we’ve had to work harder to find alternative ways to achieve our goals. For others, it might just mean that we have to fight a little harder to get through the day, and it is ok to recognise the frustrations. Both experiences are valid.
I always like to teach children that Dyslexia is not a superpower, and that’s okay. It is ok to recognise how frustrating and annoying it can be. I share my experiences that I’ve had to learn, adapt, and persevere through challenges that others may never face, and that alone is worth recognising. This is why I deliver workshops for neurodiversity and dyslexic pupils to help them understand the challenges, accept the frustrations, but understand that you can overcome these and you do have your own talents.
Let’s start honoring people with dyslexia for who they are, without expecting them to be superheroes. Sometimes, just being ourselves is powerful enough.
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