St Edward's Academic Review 2025

ACADEMIC REVIEW 2025

argues that only traits which are useful are retained throughout the generations – they provide a species with a competitive advantage (Darwin, 1858). Given that dyslexia has existed for over 1,000 years, fuelling the creativity of some of history’s most important artists, dyslexia must have been preserved as a human trait simply because it has value to society and does provide a competitive advantage, rather than because it has been a constant flaw (Taylor & Verstergaard, 2022). So, what is the value of dyslexia to society? Helen Taylor, a psychology researcher at Strathclyde University, draws a parallel with nature where to be successful animals need to exploit their local environment for food, as well as to explore other areas for new sources of food. She argues that non dyslexics are expert in exploiting ideas, mining them in an automated way, but that dyslexics are expert in exploration, constantly changing their stimuli and exploring new concepts (Taylor & Verstergaard, 2022). The human race needs both of these profiles to thrive. If, indeed dyslexia is pivotal to our exploration as a species, and our exploration of the artistic world, it might be time to re-name dyslexia. Instead of focusing on the lexical challenge to describe this critical and valuable human trait, a name focused on expertise in search, creation and innovation may be more appropriate. As a dyslexic individual who has chosen to study creative pathways and experienced many of the challenges of living with a negative "brand", I certainly appreciate the importance of re framing the value which these innovative and creative brains can bring to the world.

fascinating that the most creative polymath of all time was dyslexic, giving credence to the concept that for some individuals dyslexia may in effect be a “superpower” (Mangione & Del Maestro, 2019).

Conclusion

The evidence of a relationship between dyslexia and artistic creativity is very compelling but not absolute. The most recent research in the field shows that dyslexics possess an ability to take in more stimuli from a visual source, and to connect those stimuli due to abnormal eye movements. Whilst reading, these microscopic, jerky eye movements cause the reading difficulties that dyslexics experience, but they also allow for more connections between components of an image, allowing dyslexics superior ability in connecting ideas (convergent thinking) – fuelling their creative talent. Furthermore, there is a clear biological underpinning of these findings. Dyslexics have been shown to have a magnocellular deficit, conferring an ability to take in more fine detail than non-dyslexics, additionally allowing them to perceive an enhanced sense of colour, potentially meaning that dyslexics see the world differently. Additionally, dyslexia is an inheritable trait, albeit through a web of genes rather than a single gene. This inheritability implies that it has been part of the human race for millennia. If dyslexia is inheritable and the trait of dyslexia is indeed a valuable creative diving force for the human race, it is interesting to think about reframing the condition. Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species

‘ If dyslexia is inheritable and the trait of dyslexia is indeed a valuable creative diving force for the human race, it is interesting to think about reframing the condition ’

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