“This is a fantastic read for anyone who wants to learn about dyslexia. Both Brock and Fernette Eide have a knack for explaining complex ideas and scientific work in a simple manner and offering great insights. This is probably the most helpful material ever published on dyslexia. I am certain it will become a classic." - Manuel Casanova MD, Kolb Endowed Chair in Psychiatry

"This is a must read for parents, educators, and people with dyslexia." - Gordon Sherman PhD, past President of the International Dyslexia Association and Exec Dir Newgrange School

“How did the two of you know me so well? Anywhere I open your book, clarity falls out.” – Henry Winkler, actor and author of Hank Zipzer stories

“The Dyslexic Advantage is a paradigm-shifting book that captures the remarkable advantages that come with this different style of thinking. This book should be the first one people reach for when they want to learn about what it really means to be dyslexic.” - Vince Flynn, New York #1 Bestselling author

“Any book that focuses on the benefits of having a dyslexic brain should be celebrated.  So blow the bugles and toss flow flowers to herald the arrival of The Dyslexic Advantage to the field.  Brock and Fernette Eide classify, list, and give examples of the strengths that dyslexic individuals have precisely because they are dyslexic – not despite their dyslexia.  This book has some of the best writing on the subject of dyslexia that I have come across. Reading it brought to mind eureka moments I had on first reading Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.”

- Jeanne Betancourt, the author of My Name Is Brain Brian and the Pony Pals series.

 “This book is destined to become a classic. After many years studying the talents of dyslexics, I was pleased to gain from the Eides’ systematic investigation a deeper understanding of how and why dyslexics often have a major advantage, working at high levels in many different fields -- and why there is so much misunderstanding among conventional educators and employers. Linking their broad clinical experience with the newest brain research, they illuminate many puzzles -- such as why there are so many dyslexic entrepreneurs, why so many dyslexics choose to study engineering or philosophy, why dyslexics often see the big picture and see linkages that others do not see, why they often think in stories or analogies, and why some of the most successful authors are dyslexic. They explain why reading impairments should be seen as only a small part of the pattern -- that dyslexia is not simply a reading problem, but a different form of brain organization, yielding remarkable strengths along with surprising difficulties. With new technologies and new business models, we can now see how the often remarkable talents of dyslexics will be in greater demand while their difficulties will be increasingly seen as comparatively unimportant. I am enormously grateful to the Eides for explaining why and how this is so -- Thomas G. West, author of In the Mind’s Eye and Thinking Like Einstein”

"This book should be required reading for parents, teachers, dyslexics, anyone with an interest in the enigma of dyslexia, and suggests that dyslexia should become a major topic within the discipline of positive psychology.”—Angela Fawcett, Emeritus professor, Swansea University

“The authors did a great job explaining dyslexia and really hit the nail on the head! As I was reading, it felt like someone was inside of me writing down my inner most thoughts. Fernette and Brock Eide truly capture the essence of what it is like having a dyslexic mind. This book is gripping, powerful, and insightful—and for dyslexics, immensely validating.”—Nancy Ratey, Ed.M., MCC, SCAC, author of The Disorganized Mind

“The Dyslexic Advantage is a treasure trove of stories, ideas and tips that celebrate the unique learning strengths of dyslexic individuals.  It provides parents and educators with sound strategies to help their dyslexic kids achieve not just success, but greatness in life.  I recommend it highly!” - Thomas Armstrong MD, author Neurodiversity and Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

"Between these pages we meet the talented flipside of the dyslexia coin.  My deepest thanks to the Eides for presenting this critically important information; if we are to prosper in our increasingly complex world, we must recognize, encourage, and celebrate the development of these gifted minds. -Sarah Andrews, geologist and author of 11 award-winning geosciences-based mysteries

"This book provides powerful strategies to help those with dyslexia maximize on the remarkable strengths of their unique brain wiring. Compassionate and wise, the Eides provide step-by-step action plans that help dyslexics excel in challenge areas—from reading and writing to workplace success. Better than “thinking outside the box,” this revolutionary book tosses the conformist box aside altogether.” - Lindsey Biel, OTR, co-author Raising a Sensory Smart Child

Scientific American Mind

Perhaps the most challenging part of being dyslexic is the misconception that it makes people unintelligent or slow. In response, Brock and Fernette Eide have delivered a compelling call to action in their new book The Dyslexic Advantage: it is time to stop classifying dyslexia as a learning disability and start appreciating that different brain-wiring patterns allow people to process information in unique ways. When it comes to learning, they argue, there is no good or bad, right or wrong, only a difference in style, which should be fostered rather than corrected.

Although people with dyslexia may struggle with the fine-processing skills of reading and writing, often unintentionally interchanging letters and words, they can excel at “big picture” thinking. People with dyslexia frequently prefer thinking in narrative form, a proclivity that makes them natural storytellers, and they tend to have exceptional spatial navigation skills, visualizing 3-D structures with ease.

The Eides present functional MRI studies to illustrate what is different about the dyslexic brain. For instance, imaging shows that when people with dyslexia read, the right side of their brain dominates, which might help them absorb bigger themes in a text. They also exhibit deficits, however, in parts of the left hemisphere associated with reading and writing and understanding symbols. The nondyslexic brain splits the task more evenly between hemispheres.

The authors interweave case studies from their own psychological practice with current research on dyslexia. They also highlight a few of the world’s dyslexic elite, such as acclaimed novelist http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/crsr/socialLink.png), default; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> Anne Rice  and entrepreneur Richard Branson, both of whom struggled with traditional schooling before using their unique skills to thrive. Although it would be easy to assume that Rice and Branson flourished because they triumphed over their disability, the Eides contend that they succeeded because of their condition. Being dyslexic allowed them to break from conventional ways of thinking to dream of fantastic new worlds and create alternative solutions to vexing problems.

Despite offering a fresh perspective on dyslexia, the Eides agree with traditional psychologists on the need to intervene at an early age. But unlike their contemporaries, the authors are looking not to fix perceived weaknesses but rather to foster the individual strengths each child displays.

Kirkus

Groundbreaking theory for the positive potential of dyslexia.

Although dyslexia is often perceived as a barrier to reading, learning-disabilities experts the Eides (Visual Spelling, 2009, etc.) offer uplifting information about the advantages of the dyslexic brain. The authors contend that successful dyslexics thrive not in spite of their brains but because of its unique chemical components. These, they write, produce many notable abilities—e.g., three-dimensional spatial reasoning; better perception of metaphors, analogies and paradoxes; and strong recall. In addition to prominent people with dyslexia—including John Lennon, financial guru Charles Schwab and novelist Anne Rice—the Eides document the achievements of everyday people, like Sarah Andrews, whose dyslexia gave her a powerful 3D-imagery system tailor made for a flourishing career as a geologist. Readers learn that dyslexia is much more than a reading impairment; it is a “different pattern of brain organization and information processing.” The book clearly details the strengths and trade-offs of the dyslexic brain, as well as ways to foster its advantages. For example, a child with strong imagery ability is distracted by math problems with superfluous imagery, but educators can learn to present the same math problems to the child in a different way. Of particular note are ideas for thriving in the workplace and a list of careers that are a good fit for people with unique and talented brains.

Good advice and encouraging analysis for dyslexics, parents, teachers or anyone interested in the endless possibilities of the mind.

Library Journal

The two Seattle physicians who coauthored The Mislabeled Child here set out to frame dyslexia not as a disability but as a condition that offers clear advantages if properly understood. To this end, they share anecdotes from current students as well as adults who are successful in the fields of engineering, art, and business. Focusing on the strengths associated with dyslexia (these include "material reasoning" through working with building toys and "narrative reasoning" through retaining and building complex stories), they advise parents and educators on how to improve reading and writing skills in dyslexic students. The section outlining how dyslexic individuals can succeed in school, college, and the professional world is the strongest. The theme that runs through the entire work is the need to develop self-esteem in this population. With this boost, it is plausible that families struggling with a child's dyslexia will be given the confidence to reach higher and not accept dyslexia as an excuse for underachievement. VERDICT Recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with comprehensive dyslexia collections.—Corey Seeman, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Publisher's Weekly

We've been thinking about dyslexia all wrong, say the Eides, two prominent learning disabilities experts. They argue that the reading disorder isn't just about barriers to learning but about the advantages a dyslexic brain can provide; they offer a new theory of how dyslexic brains process information. Along with some highly accomplished people with dyslexia--like computer pioneer Bill Hewlett, Beatle John Lennon, businessman Charles Schwab, and writer Anne Rice--the Eides explore the lives of ordinary people who've found their different brains took them in extraordinary directions, citing one family of father, daughter, and grandson who all had dyslexia that allowed them to follow their interests in building, design, and invention. The authors carefully dissect the strengths of a dyslexic brain--including spatial reasoning; mechanical ability; better perceptions of analogies, metaphors, and paradoxes; and great recall of personal memories. Here's a practical analysis of a difficult, frustrating disorder that unveils what goes remarkably right as well as what goes wrong. The exploration is encouraging for those hoping to capitalize on their dyslexic advantage, concerned parents, educators, and anyone else interested in how these unique brains work.

Barnes and Noble

We all know the disadvantages of dyslexia; this book lifts the curtains on its advantages. In making their claims, Doctors Brock and Fernette Eide aren't being wide-eyed, crazy optimists; they are basing their assertions on recent research and proven results. They don't minimize the challenges that dyslexics face as they attempt to reshuffle letters and words, but they note that brain science shows that these men and women, girls and boys, often excel at other skills, ranging from those useful to architects, surgeons and scientists to the gift of narrative that is so essential to novelists and lawyers. The first complete portrait of dyslexia.