--- title: 5 drawings of my dyslexic superpowers description: "I think being dyslexic gives me superpowers. I’m happiest when I draw and make art. Here are five drawings to show how I see dyslexia.\n" slug: 5-drawings-of-my-dyslexic-superpowers author: Olivia Thomas published: '2021-07-12T21:09:54.883Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/75O1qvKV4xzS2pdunLHDTs/1f6ecddec78558a307d8cb3031092c60/IMG-3100.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/5-drawings-of-my-dyslexic-superpowers lang: en --- # 5 drawings of my dyslexic superpowers Being dyslexic means that you can be a creative person. For me, it was painting and making anything visual. I’m happiest when I’m drawing.  Because I work with kids as a teacher at a preschool, I get to do art every day. I love that the students keep me on my toes. I’m so inspired by them, doing crazy match-up art like an octopus cat or a dino robot. There is one young boy who is dyslexic like me, and every day when he comes into school, he asks if he can paint with me. It makes me happy that I can share my passion with him. ![](https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/01oA7dGU879M3Dq2qVPsfQ/cf54021b5bbbb719c57776b3920fa65d/IMG-3101.png) In life, I see the big picture. I know what I want to do and I usually get it done. I just don’t know the exact path that will take me there. Dyslexia has made me ready to adapt to all the twists and turns. It’s fun to take the scenic route. It can be a beautiful life — why does every detail matter?  ![](https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7zMzjRWlZLDwKvc3iVxp89/a0c305dac0be6c8979e76b3945bc710a/IMG-3102.png) I think differently. I’m empathic, which makes me kind to others who think differently. The world would be boring if we were all the same and didn’t help each other. It’s a beautiful thing to reach out and find a hand ready to catch you. In middle school, I was part of a dyslexic art project group and all the older kids mentored me. I had six big buddies. It felt like a family. ![](https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/5Bbmn6OwhZklP5VtGcvCCl/e902529db21233ffbea961e428022557/IMG-3103.png) Many dyslexic people are good at storytelling because we’ve been through a lot.  We have big imaginations. We’ve had to think of the world differently. My little cousin has dyslexia and couldn’t read. But her teachers thought she could read, because she would tell stories that they couldn’t believe she made up by herself in her head!  ![](https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/3eTTOGj0AsmIL2txNkBL9U/67e96a009fbf6ed20d18f5bfa706af88/IMG-3116.png) I have a support group of dyslexic friends to fall back on. We’re all connected and have something that bonds us even though we go through this world differently. I’m so lucky that I have this community to inspire me. Sometimes, it’s challenging to have dyslexia. But there is so much good too, once you learn to trust and love all parts of yourself. --- Check out more of [Olivia’s drawings and thoughts about dyslexia](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/escape-from-confusion-dyslexia-art). Read how [the creator of “Captain Underpants”](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/dav-pilkey-adhd-dyslexia-superpowers) thinks ADHD and dyslexia can be superpowers. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Escape from confusion dyslexia art](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/escape-from-confusion-dyslexia-art) - Have you ever been in a sea of confusion and chaos in everyday life? I have. Its often my reality. Reading, writing, and even putting my thoughts into words can be disorienting because of my dyslexia. To escape a world not designed for me, I have to be surrounded by art. Fully go into music or a fil - [Why I love my dyslexic brain](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/why-i-love-my-dyslexic-brain) - A few weeks ago, something happened that reminded me why Im grateful for my dyslexic brain. Im a teacher, and I was working in the classroom with my students. I was going from table to table, patiently giving out directions and handing out sticker rewards as the kids bombarded me with questions. I h - [Needles on my brain dyslexia art](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/needles-on-my-brain-dyslexia-art) - I made this art when I was in the deepest, saddest part of my high school career. I was drained and let down with grades thats why I drew all the letters. The academicworld seemed dark and like needles in my mind. I had breakdowns when I triedto take tests. Dont get me wrong. 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