Do Dyslexic People See Things Backwards? 

What Dyslexia Is—and What It’s Not  

"Dyslexia isn't when people see things backwards," explains Angie Cumin, proud dyslexic and owner of Randak Dyslexia Center. This is a common misconception regarding dyslexia. If it were that simple, perhaps a pair of glasses could help solve the challenges faced by those with the condition. In reality, dyslexia has nothing to do with how a person sees. It is a neurological condition that affects how the brain processes tasks like reading and spelling. While individuals with dyslexia may sometimes reverse letters and numbers, this is not related to vision. Instead, it stems from difficulties with directionality, concepts like right and left. For example, a student may struggle with remembering which way the tail of the letter J goes because of these challenges. 

“I wouldn’t trade my dyslexia away. I love the creativity, leadership skills, and drive to persevere through difficulty it cultivated in me. In short, it made me who I am today, and I rather like that person.” - Angie Cumin

Angie Cumin Dyslexia is an inherited condition, passed down to children about 50% of the time. It involves more than just letter reversals, and it comes with both challenges and unique strengths. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, refers to dyslexia as his "superpower," crediting the strengths it has given him, such as innate curiosity and big-picture thinking, as key contributors to his entrepreneurial success. According to a study by Julie Logan at Cass Business School in London, 35% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic, even though dyslexic individuals make up only about 20% of the population. 

Many are surprised to learn that one in five people is dyslexic. It’s not uncommon for someone to say, “I’ve never met anyone who’s dyslexic.” The reality, however, is that they likely have met dyslexic individuals. Additionally, people may say, “I had some trouble reading in school, but I’m not dyslexic.” Unless someone has a low IQ or didn’t have access to proper education, there’s a good chance they may be dyslexic. While this can be a sensitive issue, it’s important to recognize that dyslexia can shape creativity, leadership skills, and determination to overcome challenges. It often plays a role in the development of the strengths that define successful individuals. 

Contact Angie at Randak Dyslexia Center for tutoring and screening, www.randakdyslexia.com, (406) 506-4750.