LET’S TALK ABOUT dyslexia.
Not the after-school-special version. Not the lazy “letters backwards” stereotype people still drag around from the 90s. I mean the real thing: the exhausting, frustrating, invisible war between a child’s brain and a page full of symbols everyone else seems to understand automatically.
My son was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was young.
And if you’ve never lived with it up close, let me clear something up immediately: dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. Some of the brightest people I know have dyslexic brains. Their minds move fast—sometimes too fast. The problem isn’t that they can’t think. The problem is that written language doesn’t always arrive in their brain in an orderly little line the way schools expect it to.
‘[D]yslexic kids become incredibly good problem-solvers because they’ve been troubleshooting reality since first grade.
They learn resilience early. They learn creativity early. They learn how to think sideways when the straight path doesn’t work.
THE DYSLEXIC BRAIN
Reading can feel like trying to assemble furniture while someone keeps rotating the instruction manual.
For my son, certain letters were enemies. Especially b and d.
To most people, those letters are obviously different. But to a dyslexic brain, they can look like the exact same shape flipped around. If your brain struggles with left-to-right orientation, those tiny curves become traps.
And people don’t realize how exhausting that is.
Imagine having to stop and negotiate with your own alphabet every few seconds while the rest of the class keeps moving.
That kind of mental fatigue wears kids down quietly. They start thinking they’re slow. Lazy. Broken. Meanwhile, they’re working twice as hard just to decode a single sentence.
What amazed me most wasn’t the diagnosis. It was what my son did next.
INVENTED TRICK
Nobody taught him this trick. No specialist suggested it. No expensive program handed it to him.
He invented it himself.
He noticed that lowercase b and d confused him—but capital B and D looked completely different. One had two bumps. The other had one big belly. Easy.
So he created his own survival system.
Right in the middle of ordinary lowercase words, he started throwing in random capital letters to help himself identify sounds and shapes while writing.
Thumb became ThumB.
Made became MaDe.
Technically? Wrong.
According to every grammar teacher alive, absolutely unacceptable.
But honestly? I thought it was brilliant.
While adults were busy trying to force his brain to follow the rules, my son quietly redesigned the rules so his brain could function.
That’s what people misunderstand about dyslexia.
THE ‘NORMAL’ BRAIN
Overcoming it doesn’t mean magically waking up one day with a “normal” brain. It means building workarounds. Creating shortcuts. Finding patterns other people never have to think about. It’s adaptation. Strategy. Survival.
And dyslexic kids become incredibly good problem-solvers because they’ve been troubleshooting reality since first grade.
They learn resilience early. They learn creativity early. They learn how to think sideways when the straight path doesn’t work.
That’s not weakness. That’s a different kind of intelligence.
So the next time you see a child writing outside the lines, pausing too long over a sentence, or sticking capital letters where they “don’t belong,” maybe don’t rush to correct them.
You might be looking at a kid building a bridge nobody else realized they needed just to cross the page.
Those random capital letters were never mistakes.
They were breadcrumbs.
Tiny survival markers left behind by a child finding his way through a language that refused to meet him halfway.
And I still think that’s one of the smartest things I’ve ever seen.
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I never knew the Term Dyslexia till now,I remember that it was called b and d while learning the alphabet however I found it also the same figure just written different way . Was I able to correct this, I had to accept this teaching. But my guess on this are they right or wrong. I have not finished any formal education however my first born son was different, He started to use big words at 1 year and a half.? I was amazed how and why. And at 2 he was reading his book. This often I wonder myself he learned and asked me what is the acronym of many items at 2 years old , Most people would term it as genius but I just thought it was a normal thing for some and abnormal for many. He was independent at age 7 and got accelerated in school always.I was never worried for him Cause he was born this way. All I know is that I do love him the way he is.
Am I to say I am abnormal if I myself found listening to my professors boring, this why I quit. I often wonder how on earth that I have a son who is smart from my first partner and a daughter who is just a smart with another partner . I am just happy that they live a normal life as they grew up. So don’t concern ourselves If your son was different its just a Term people have made.
Thank you for sharing your story. What struck me most was how much you love and accept your children for who they are. Every mind learns differently, and your experiences remind us that labels never tell the whole story. Please keep reading and sharing your insights—they add an important perspective to the conversation.
I’ve never encountered a dyslexic person, or a child at that, in my entire life. So this topic is new and fresh to me –and your article an eye opener. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience Dealing with dyslexic persons, your very own son in this case. I’D like to hear more of whatever else you can share with your followers. Thank you, Weng.
Thank you for your kind words. If the column helped shine a light on dyslexia, then it achieved its purpose. I’ll definitely continue sharing stories and lessons from our family’s journey. Please keep reading and sharing your thoughts along the way.
“You might be looking at a kid building a bridge nobody else realized they needed just to cross the page.
Those random capital letters were never mistakes.”
I agree. These 2 sentences describe dyslexia in full. The teacher must exercise flexibility, understanding that your son has his own intelligence different from others. What’s important is that your son didn’t just accept his reality. He practiced creativity. He invented a work around to overcome his shortcoming which worked and is easy to understand.
Thank you. You captured exactly what I hoped readers would see—that creativity is often born from necessity. My son’s solution taught me that intelligence comes in many forms. I hope you’ll continue reading and sharing your observations in future columns.
I knew it’s meaning but this is the first concrete experience I’ve read about it. Your son is brilliant to discover his own way of overcoming it.
Thank you for your kind words. Watching my son figure out his own way of navigating dyslexia has been one of the most fascinating parts of this journey. It reminded me that intelligence isn’t about fitting into one learning style—it’s about finding what works for you. I’m glad the column gave you a more personal look at dyslexia. I hope you’ll keep reading, sharing, and joining the conversation. There are many more stories worth telling.
Great information! Thank you for educating us about this…
Thank you for taking the time to read it. If even one reader learns something new about dyslexia, I consider that a win. I hope you’ll keep reading and joining the conversation.
One of the big mistakes a parent could commit is to put a child with learning disability in a traditional school. Such environment, most of the time, has no system nor patience to understand that each child is unique. The child becomes the target of bullies and real morons in the society.
You raise an important point. Many children struggle not because they lack ability, but because the environment isn’t designed to understand how they learn. I’m glad his teachers at OB Montessori recognised the issue in time.
Thank you for adding to the discussion. Please keep sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Your son is smart and resilient. He created a solution to his difficulty instead of giving up or being dependent.
He is a blessing not a burden.
Thank you. I agree—his greatest strength wasn’t dyslexia itself, but his refusal to let it define him. Watching him create his own solutions taught me that resilience is often more important than talent. I’m grateful you saw the blessing in his journey. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
You raise an important point. Many children struggle not because they lack ability, but because the environment isn’t designed to understand how they learn. I’m glad his teachers at OB Montessori recognised the issue in time.
Thank you for adding to the discussion. Please keep sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Dyslexia has become more and more aware in the last decade, from athletes talking publicly about it, to celebrities making it public, the earlier detected is better.
Very true. Greater awareness and earlier detection can make a tremendous difference in a child’s confidence and development. Thank you for contributing to the conversation. I hope you’ll continue reading and sharing your insights.
This is the first time I come across dyslexia… I had a case of tics in a preteen boy that tried to get treated at the children’s hospital with all the tests and lab workouts and ended with the need to have a brain scan that would cost a staggering amount just to be definite about the diagnosis. What I did was to do research on tics and come up with a natural treatment strategy that cured the boy in less than six months with minimal costs. Since then he had never experienced a recurrence. So I guess your son’s adaptation is a clear indicator that coming around a brain concern need not follow professional conventional paths.
Thank you for sharing that story. Your experience highlights something important: every challenge is unique, and sometimes progress comes from curiosity, observation, and a willingness to think beyond the obvious. My son’s adaptation wasn’t a substitute for understanding dyslexia, but it showed how resourceful people can be when faced with obstacles. I’m glad the column introduced you to a condition that often goes unnoticed. I hope you’ll continue reading and joining the discussion.
Pasalamat tayo sa Panginoon Diyos na buhay(INTHENAMEOFJESUS) na binigyan ka ng anak na ganyan ang talento dahil ang bawat bagay na ibigay ng Panginoon Diyos na buhay sa atin ay in his own purpose.
Salamat God Bless
Maraming salamat sa iyong mabuting salita at panalangin. Naniniwala rin ako na bawat bata ay may natatanging kaloob at layunin. God bless you as well, at sana ay patuloy mong basahin at ibahagi ang iyong mga saloobin sa mga susunod kong kolum.
The problem is not with the people who have this as Medical Professional or Educational PHd Masters, they are the problem. They can’t see the intelligence with this uniqueness to survive specially in the world we live in today.
When You showed something unique and great that you got attentions and sad to say that some still can’t accept it because they didn’t have it so they can be noticed too. Full of enviness and hate rather than accepting the beauty of it.
Thanks Gwen fit sharing this to Us and very proud of You as your son is very proud of You too not just as his Mom but a Human being who understood his imperfectness “ kaya nga sabi nila Mother’s Knows Best” You are one incredible writer my dear bff, hats off to You 🍷👍🍾♥️
My dear friend, thank you for your generous words and unwavering support. More than anything, I wanted this column to remind people that differences are not deficits and that every child deserves to be seen for their strengths, not just their struggles. Your kindness means a lot to me, and I’m sure my son would be touched by your encouragement. Thank you for reading, sharing, and cheering us on all these years.
Solving your own problem because of a handicap is brilliant but as time passes the sickness heals and everything becomes normal . Thanks for this nice story about solving your own dyslexia and living it through.
Thank you for your comment. What fascinated me was not just the challenge itself, but the creative way my son found to work around it. Experiences like these remind us that people can be remarkably resourceful. I hope you’ll keep reading and sharing your thoughts.
I believe your son was able to find his own way because hia mind was free of the linear norms and expectations that society sets as the standards for acceptance.
In so doing, he freed himself to achieve what society would consider impossible or reject as unbelievable. Ignore them.
Your son has taught usa hidden meaning in Jesus’ words, “..unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Unchained by adult pride, societal status, and the need to earn or prove our worth, children are able to function outside of normal human perception & expectation.
A child relies almost entirely on their parents for care and provision in order to attain such extraordinary achievements.
In your case, your son’s prodigy is evidence of your benevolent parenting.
A tree is known by its fruit.
The other lesson we can learn from your son is to solve problems by freeing ourselves to be able to see all the available options, and to choose the best solution, unfettered by fear, bias, and partiality.
We can learn to resolve seemingly impossible challenges by acting with a free mind, guided by love and moral values.
Another vital contribution by parents to their child.
Genius with a conscience.
I believe your son was able to find his own way because hia mind was free of the linear norms and expectations that society sets as the standards for acceptance.
In so doing, he freed himself to achieve what society would consider impossible or reject as unbelievable. Ignore them.
Your son has taught us a hidden meaning in Jesus’ words, “..unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Unchained by adult pride, societal status, and the need to earn or prove our worth, children are able to function outside of normal human perception & expectation.
A child relies almost entirely on their parents for care and provision in order to attain such extraordinary achievements.
In your case, your son’s prodigy is evidence of your benevolent parenting.
A tree is known by its fruit.
The other lesson we can learn from your son is to solve problems by freeing ourselves to be able to see all the available options, and to choose the best solution, unfettered by fear, bias, and partiality.
We can learn to resolve seemingly impossible challenges by acting with a free mind, guided by love and moral values.
Another vital contribution by parents to their child.
Genius with a conscience.
I believe your son was able to find his own way because hia mind was free of the linear norms and expectations that society sets as the standards for acceptance.
In so doing, he freed himself to achieve what society would consider impossible or reject as unbelievable. Ignore them.
Your son has taught usa hidden meaning in Jesus’ words, “..unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Unchained by adult pride, societal status, and the need to earn or prove our worth, children are able to function outside of normal human perception & expectation.
A child relies almost entirely on their parents for care and provision in order to attain such extraordinary achievements.
In your case, your son’s prodigy is evidence of your benevolent parenting.
A tree is known by its fruit.
The other lesson we can learn from your son is to solve problems by freeing ourselves to be able to see all the available options, and to choose the best solution, unfettered by fear, bias, and partiality.
We can learn to resolve seemingly impossible challenges by acting with a free mind, guided by love and moral values.
Another vital contribution by parents to their child.
Genius with a conscience.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and generous reflection. I especially appreciate your point about approaching challenges with an open and unrestrained mind. As a parent, I’ve learned as much from my son as he has from me. Please continue reading and sharing your wisdom—it enriches the discussion for everyone.
That’s what I call skillful – a friend of mine with dyslexia is a pro at using both hands to eat and write!
That’s a wonderful example. I’ve noticed that many people with dyslexia develop unique skills and strategies that others might never think of. Thank you for sharing that story. I hope you’ll keep reading and contributing your experiences in the future.
Thanks for this article on dyslexia Gwen. Reading it reminded me of my first encounter with a dyslexic. I was in grade school a P. Gomez, I belonged to a class called Accelerated Class for the Fast Learners. 23 girls & 11 boys. The cream of the crop as our adviser would tell us. We finished Grades 4 to 6 in 5 years. Nkatipid tatay ko ng isang taong expenses. I had a classmate who finds it hard reading. It was my first time to hear the word dyslexic. But just like your son, he was able to figure out things for himself, we do not know how, but he did improved on his reading. Even garnered the Second Honors when graduation came. Dyslexia may be making hard on the person, but they have special gifts, capacity to overcome. Some of them even contributed greatly to society. We have Keannu Reeves, Winston Churchill & Albert Einstein to name a few. Again congrats on this another fine work Gwenn. Keep it up.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. Your classmate’s experience mirrors what I hoped to highlight in the column—that dyslexia may make certain tasks more challenging, but it does not define a person’s intelligence or potential. It’s inspiring that he found his own way to improve and eventually graduated with honors.
I also enjoyed reading about your Accelerated Class days. Finishing three grades in two years is quite an achievement—and I’m sure your father appreciated the savings too!
You’re absolutely right that many people with dyslexia develop remarkable resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share this memory. Please keep reading the column and sharing your insights and stories—they add so much value to the conversation.
Finished grades 4-6 in 2 years. Sorry, proof-read it after posting.😔
No prob. 😉