Dyslexia is usually talked about in terms of what it makes difficult: reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes learning in a traditional classroom.

But that's only one side of the story.

I'm dyslexic myself, so this is something I've experienced first-hand. I've spent plenty of time struggling with things that seem ridiculously easy to other people, while at the same time finding that I often approach problems, ideas, and situations in ways that seem quite different from those around me.

People with dyslexia often experience the world a little differently. Some of the same things that can make reading difficult can also show up as strengths in areas like seeing the bigger picture, making unexpected connections, solving problems, and coming up with ideas.

In this talk, I'll take a closer look at what dyslexia actually is, what we know about the science behind it, and what it can feel like to experience the world with a dyslexic brain. I'll also challenge some of the assumptions we tend to make about dyslexia—and share a few things that might surprise you.

This isn't about pretending that dyslexia is a superpower. It can be frustrating, exhausting, and genuinely difficult, especially in environments that are built around one particular way of learning and working. I've experienced plenty of that myself.

But it can also come with a different way of looking at things. And when that difference is understood and supported, it can become a real strength.

We'll look at what that can mean in practice, whether you're dyslexic yourself, work with someone who is, teach students, or simply want to understand dyslexia a little better.

My hope is that you'll leave with a more complete picture of dyslexia—not just as something that makes certain things harder, but as a different way of processing and making sense of the world. And, hopefully, you'll understand a little more about the way people like me see it.