The Dyslexic Advantage

By: Brock l. Eide, Fernette L. Eide

Narrated by: Paul Costanzo

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dyslexia is almost always assumed to be an obstacle. And for one in five people who are dyslexic, it can be. Yet for millions of successful dyslexics - including astrophysicists, mystery novelists, and entrepreneurs - their dyslexic differences are the key to their success. In this paradigm-shifting book, neurolearning experts Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide describe exciting new brain science revealing that dyslexic people have unique brain structure and organization. While the differences are responsible for certain challenges with literacy and reading, the dyslexic brain also gives a predisposition to important skills and special talents.

While dyslexics typically struggle to decode the written word, they often also excel in areas such as mechanical reasoning (required for architects and surgeons); interconnected reasoning (artists and inventors); narrative reasoning (novelists and lawyers); and dynamic reasoning (scientists and business pioneers). With much-needed prescriptive advice for parents, educators, and dyslexics, The Dyslexic Advantage provides the first complete portrait of dyslexia. Supporting their claims with groundbreaking science and interviews with successful dyslexics and innovative teachers, the authors of this essential book show how the unique strengths of dyslexia can be captured for success at home, at school, and at work.

©2011 Brock L. Eide and Fernette F. Eide (P)2011 Tantor

Has the system failed your child?

I once was called to the school to discuss my son’s lack of “impulse control” with an indignant young overweight teacher. She droned on at me and my son for a while about ways “to gain control of one’s impulses” until my son politely pointed out that she lacked that same impulse control because he could see her sneaking bites from candy bars she kept in her desk when she thought the kids were studying.
For every concerned parent who may be sitting at one of those small desks with your knees near your ears, this month for the parent/teacher meeting, wherein you are told your precious one, whom you KNOW is smart, exciting and articulate, is a 'problem' for the teacher. S/he may not be turning the homework in, could be looking out the window, and may not `follow directions' and certainly not attending to the teacher. S/he may, not be able to read, not be able to spell, may talk too much...
This book will bring a gust of vibrant fresh air to your soul. It is a must to read for any parent or caring person who sees a child struggling with the school systems.
I could not read well when I was in the first grade; I was put in the slow group. Back then, no one knew what dyslexia was. I drew and painted wonderful pink pigs and was told pigs weren't pink, but instead brown, rather like my teacher's personality. I stood in the corner a lot and got failing grades in `citizenship' because I liked to tell stories and my classmates loved to listen to me.
My twin daughters could not read until they were almost nine, but when they finally read, they read Shakespeare.
Do not let the dullards of the linear plodding, miasma; convince you that you have a lazy child or low IQ child or your little one needs drugs to get along with the school system. Don't spank and jawbone the precious one and don't take it personally that they are slower. My grandmother told my mother my development was about QUALITY- not QUANTITY.
Read this book; better still, get it in some audio version, or have your Kindle read it to you as you, too, multi-task. Rejoice that you have a child with a light from which the bushel basket can be removed so they can light the world anew.
One of the subjects of the book graduated from my high school in Richardson, Texas; I saw and experienced much of her same frustration.

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

A Guide to those Faced with Dyslexia in Any Arena

Drs. Brock Eide and Fernette Eide has done a great service to those with Dyslexia, those working with and alongside those with Dyslexia, and those who have small children with Dyslexia. Essentially, they propose that Dyslexia is not a disability, per se, but a different way of thinking. They then set out to explain Dyslexia, discuss the strengths that Dyslexics bring to the workplace and life, and how Dyslexics might be best incorporated into grammar school, college/trade schools and the workplace. It is in the final chapters that the authors provide the most immediate help to those encountering and those with Dyslexia. This book is an eye opener. It should be read by everyone with a Dyslexic child, people concerned about ADA issues, and work supervisors everywhere. This book will give hope to parents, prepare Dyslexics for adulthood, and inform everyone who picks it up. The reading of Paul Costanzo is excellent.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

The Light Came On

Any additional comments?

I always wondered why I was such a slow reader and since I often confuse words such as left and right (knowing very well which is which) I wondered if this book may offer some answers to my questions. In order to get real answers I'd probably have to be tested, but there where scenarios in the book in which I found myself as in a mirror image. I found it interesting to see how others with severe forms of Dyslexia were able to lead normal and successful lives. I found that very inspiring.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Thinking outside the box

Any additional comments?

I'm not dyslexic, and don't know anyone who is, but this was a great explanation of strengths our schools overlook.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I kept nodding like a bobble-head!

It's true! I found myself smiling and nodding throughout this book. What an affirmation for someone who has lived with this for years.

A few months ago, I had read an article in Psychology Today that was the first positive thing I had ever read about dyslexia. Then I found this wonderful book. I have hope now of going back to school and being successful.

One really interesting thing I discovered was that I'm pretty sure now that my father was also dyslexic. He died a long time ago, but he had a lot of the characteristics.

If you are dyslexic or know someone who is, this is a must read. I highly recommend.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I'm not sentimental - but admit I cried reading it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes especially if they were dyslexic

What about Paul Costanzo’s performance did you like?

Great!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The book brought back so many painful experiences growing up dyslexic in the 60's and 70's before anyone knew what it was. I used to joke that I was thrown out of some of the best schools in the country. I was the "bright kid who didn't try very hard" and I learned that I could try hard, fail, and have my pride destroyed - OR - I could be the party guy and not try and still fail - but keep my pride. It took me until I was an adult to really learn how to learn, and learn how to succeed. Even now I still go through periods of intense self doubt that I expect most non dyslexics do not experience as intensely as those who failed so dramatically and for so long.

I'm currently a highly paid software engineer, former manager, and now completing an MBA in my 50's and going to give my own startup a shot. Life is an adventure, adventures aren't always fun but they are interesting if you don't turn away. My dyslexia has pushed me to take risks others won't - won big and lost big - but no regrets. So much of what I have experienced and who and why I am came rushing out to me as I read this book - I feel I understand who I am and why I am so much better since reading this book - thank you! Though not about dyslexia - I also recommend "Thinking fast and slow" as another book that will change how you view the world as much as this did.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Recognizing the Advantages!

Where does The Dyslexic Advantage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is not a story but rather a text book on how to understand the many strengths that the dyslexic has. Very infomative.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The examples of how having a brain that is 'wired differently' presents itself in the world are meaningful.

What three words best describe Paul Costanzo’s performance?

The voice felt a bit like an olde time DJs voice or sports announcer.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The true natural leaders of the world - dyslexics - need to be recognized for their style of seeing the world SOONER in their educational career.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

If you know someone who is dyslexic, get this book

What it won't do is solve all the shortcomings of dealing with dyslexia. What it does do is give a MUCH clearer picture of what dyslexia is. What the shortfalls are exactly, and most surprisingly, and what psychologists seem to be discovering, the strengths are!

In dealing with dyslexia not as a problem, but as different set of strengths, it really put it into perspective for me. It has helped me tremendously in understanding dyslexia so I can in turn help guide those who are discouraged by it.

The narration is over the top "high energy" for me, but once you get past that, there is a lot of information there.

Highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Unlistenable for me

I'm just looking for ways to corral my unruly mind so that I can get through the mundane bits of life with less stress. I'm in my mid-50s, a self-employed artisan, moderately successful in life, an avid reader, and I am (sometimes painfully) dyslexic, although not in any outstandingly obvious way unless you know what to look for. I usually enjoy books about how the mind works, such as Mistakes Were Made but not by Me, How We Decide, The Willpower Intent, and My Stroke of Insight. I gave up on this book somewhere in the maze of words about Strengths. The constant ra-ra stories about genius dyslexics, the repetitive, pointless riffing on the Strengths, the paucity of detail about practical coping skillls -- aaargh! Although I'm not being fair about coping skills. They're probably in the bit I couldn't wade through to. I'm returning this to find a more phlegmatic but hopefully more pragmatic book on living with dyslexia. I appreciate the attempt to make me feel pride in my dyslexic heritage but shame isn't the issue for me.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Absolutely Awesome, the best book on dyslexia ever

Where does The Dyslexic Advantage rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Since I got diagnosed dyslexic as an adult, I've read/listened to every book I can find on it. This by far is the best book that I've found. The author has a tendency to become a bit cheesy at time by trying to give dyslexics their self esteem back after years of discrimination but he's absolutely accurate. The authors describe the strengths and symptoms of dyslexia not just on their observation but on tested evidence. This is also the ONLY book that I have found that not only deals with dyslexia in children but ALSO dyslexia in adults. Dyslexia is not a disorder that can be "overcome" or "cured;" it is a learning difference caused by a structural difference in the brain that can be harnessed for disaster or power in academics and life depending on how one accommodates for it. This book describes perfectly how a dyslexic learns effectively whether in grade school or college (which I happen to be in now). I realized that my method for solving math problems where working against my dyslexia by trying to memorize meaningless procedures. This poor method that seemed well enough until multivariable calculus, where I realized that I hadn't actually learned any concepts of mathematics to use in complex problems. I was brute forcing a battle with my dyslexia my entire life when should have been using a better method to work with my dyslexia. Such as working backwards from the answer to learn the procedure in my notes and to give a narrative to the concepts that I should have learned. These methods they describe are invaluable and actually would have help every level of learning of my life if I had only understood this sooner. Everyone should read this book, teachers, parents, coworkers, employees, and especially the dyslexic themselves immediately!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful