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New Perspectives in Learning
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email: lynn@dyslexianj.com

Famous Dyslexics

All of these extremely accomplished and well-known people have been reported to share the gifted thinking style which accompanies Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and other related diagnoses.

Although many would believe that their success was obtained DESPITE their difficulties, we contend that their success was obtained BECAUSE of their gifted, multi-dimensional, thinking style.

  • Muhammad Ali
  • Hans Christian Anderson
  • Harry Belafonte
  • Alexander Graham Bell
  • Orlando Bloom
  • Richard Branson
  • Erin Brockovich
  • George Burns
  • Jim Carrey
  • Cher
  • Agatha Christie
  • Winston Churchill
  • George Clooney
  • Tom Cruise
  • Leonardo da Vinci
  • Patrick Dempsey
  • Walt Disney
  • Thomas Edison
  • Albert Einstein
  • Henry Ford
  • Danny Glover
  • Whoopi Goldberg
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • Anthony Hopkins
  • Bruce Jenner
  • Magic Johnson
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Keira Knightly
  • Jay Leno
  • Greg Louganis
  • Jack Nicholson
  • George Patton
  • Michael Phelps
  • Picasso
  • Daniel Powter
  • Keanu Reeves
  • Nelson Rockefeller
  • Nolan Ryan
  • Charles Schwab
  • Will Smith
  • Jackie Stewart
  • Quentin Tarantino
  • Liv Tyler
  • Usher
  • George Washington
  • Robin Williams
  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Henry Winkler

[Michael Phelps]

Michael Phelps — 2008 US Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist and world record breaker.

"I was told by one of his teachers that Michael couldn't focus on anything…and at the age of 9, he was diagnosed with ADHD."
—Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother

Debbie used inventive strategies when Michael was young to help him focus. As his love of swimming grew, she was pleased to see that he was also developing self-discipline. "Michael's busy schedule of practices and meets imposed so much structure on his life that he was able to stay focused without medication."

[Ronald D. Davis]

Ronald D. Davis — Author of The Gift of Dyslexia and Creator of the Davis® Dyslexia Correction Program.

"At dyslexia's root is a natural ability, a talent. Dyslexia is not a complexity. It is a compound of simple factors which can be dealt with step-by-step. The gift of dyslexia is the gift of mastery."





[Dyslexia, The Gift logo]

[Albert Einstein]

Albert Einstein: "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

[Thomas Edison]

Thomas Edison: "I find out what the world needs. Then, I go ahead and invent it."

In school Edison's mind often wandered. His teacher said he was "addled." His mother believed he was bright and inquisitive, and decided to home-school him.

[Pablo Picasso]

Pablo Picasso: "I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them."

Picasso was described as having difficulty reading the orientation of letters, yet it was obvious Pablo had an incredible talent.

[Whoopi Goldberg]

Whoopi Goldberg: "I used my imagination to make the grass whatever color I wanted it to be."

[Tom Cruise]

Tom Cruise: "I had to train myself to focus my attention. I became very visual and learned how to create mental images in order to comprehend what I read…."

[Magic Johnson]

Magic Johnson: "The looks, the stares, the giggles… I just wanted to show everybody that I could do better, and that I could read."

Professional services described as Davis®, Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, and Davis Math Mastery® may only be provided by persons who are employed by a licensed Davis Specialist, or who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators by Davis Dyslexia Association International.


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