If your child has dyslexia, dyspraxia, or any other learning disorder, they may feel discouraged at times. To boost their spirits, you can try reminding them of people they admire who’ve faced similar challenges. Short on ideas? Here are five famous figures to get you started.
Albert Einstein, the great physicist to whom we owe the theory of relativity (the famous E = mc2), had dyslexia. Despite his remarkable mind, his school years were punctuated by many challenges. Only in adulthood, when his creativity became a coveted asset, was Einstein able to develop his true potential.
That’s right! Tom Cruise, Mr. Mission Impossible himself, also has dyslexia. That means that if he were in school today, he would be considered a special needs student. Despite this, he still manages to read and memorize hundreds upon hundreds of lines. Even with a learning disorder, success is not an impossible mission.
Agatha Christie was one of the greatest crime writers of her time, and she remains immensely popular to this day. It may come as a surprise, then, that the creator of the famous Hercule Poirot had two learning disorders: dysgraphia and dysorthography. Who would have guessed!
Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance painter, sculptor, and man of science. According to researchers, the artist who gave us the beautiful Mona Lisa very likely had dyslexia and ADHD. Nevertheless, da Vinci had a boundless imagination and was a real workaholic.
Born in 1874, two-time prime minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill is widely known and admired for his courageous stand against Nazism during World War II. An excellent orator and political strategist, Churchill also happened to have dyslexia. No one would have known if he hadn’t revealed this fact himself.
All children, especially those with learning disorders, need healthy self-esteem to succeed in school. If you’re looking for ways to bolster your child’s self-confidence, we invite you to read our article 5 activities to boost your high-schooler’s self-esteem.
Dyslexia, dysorthography, and dyscalculia are the most common learning disorders among children. Their degree of severity can vary from individual to individual, and it’s possible to have more than one. Learning disorders are neurological in origin and have nothing to do with intelligence.
If your child has a learning disorder, it’s recommended to seek help and guidance from a remedial teacher, speech-language pathologist, neuropsychologist, or other professional.
Writing : Alloprof Parents' team
Le Cavalier Bleu Éditions (2010). Le Grand Livre des idées reçues – Pour démêler de vrai du faux. Pp.541.
Closets, François (2004). Éditions du Seuil. Ne dites pas à Dieu ce qu’il doit faire.p.448