My Kind of Thinking

A real inspiration, as a space scientist and engineer with a diagnosis of dyslexia in later life.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/25/dyslexic-thinking-scientist-neurodiversity-maggie-aderin?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwY2xjawRZxAtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeV1XEaYweDtNZRkcrRweMOpvdLpKdpuDdQl-uBmtTMSEs8Izlryv2UUxohPs_aem_ooLF6lrG1gz8aTsAPG8hnA

Dyslexic thinking made me the scientist I am today. If we could harness its power, imagine what could be possible | Maggie Aderin Progress has always been made by people who think differently. Neurodiversity helps us think outside the box – and when we do, the sky’s the limit, says space scientist Maggie Aderin

Spring has finally sprung, and we are finally able to go live with our brand new website. Lots of new features, and full of information about the services we can offer to students and adults with specific learning difficulties.

Assessment Services for Adults with Specific Learning Difficulties - My Kind Of Thinking Unlock Your Potential with Expert Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Assessments, including dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD), and ADHD.

Very sad to hear of the passing of Professor Benjamin Zephaniah this morning. An individual with severe dyslexia, who used his talents in so many different areas. Find out more from him below about his specific learning difficulty and how he developed his writing to be accessible and relatable to so many.

Famous Friday Face No.1 - Benjamin Zephaniah.

As a young child Benjamin struggled with poor reading abilities, but he never received proper intervention for his difficulties at school. Benjamin has always loved telling stories and as a child he would ask his sister to write the poems in his head down for him. Benjamin was kicked out of school when he was aged 13, having been told by teachers that his poor reading abilities were a result of his race and he was likely to end up in prison. It wasn’t until Benjamin was 21 and he went to night school for help with reading and writing that he learned he was dyslexic.

Benjamin now holds the title of poet, writer, musician, professor, and holder of 16 honorary doctorates. Benjamin says that whilst he did suffer as a child because of his dyslexia, he has learned to turn it to his advantage.

“I think having dyslexia can make you creative. If you want to construct a sentence and can’t find the word you are searching for, you have to think of a way to write around it. That’s the way architects work.

They see a problem - maybe a building has to be taller or has to keep the light out - and find a way to deal with it. In fact I’ve come to the conclusion that dyslexia is the human race’s default position. I presume everyone’s dyslexic and wait for people to tell me they’re not!”

You can read more about Benjamin and his dyslexia here - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/02/young-dyslexic-children-creative

or to listen to him speak about his dyslexia here.- https://thecodpast.org/2016/02/episode-21-the-professor-of-poetry-benjamin-zephaniah/

Some brilliant new books for young people with dyslexia, and a very practical and hands on guide for parents. All available to view at Westbourne Bookshop

We love Stacey Dooley documentaries and this new podcast is totally inspirational. It is estimated that up to 9 million adults in the UK have significant difficulties with reading and writing. The podcast focuses on Tash, a 44 year old who has managed to hide her inability to read and write her whole career. Working with a volunteer from the Read Easy charity (www.readeasy.org.uk), Tash is able to unlock the written word, building her confidence and allowing her to change career after 18 years.

Having worked in adult literacy for over 20 years and assessing over 500 adults, Tash's story is a familiar one to us. We are always humbled by the resilience that many adults demonstrate at home, in the workplace and in their studies.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09ghxxq

Stacey Dooley - Stacey Dooley: Fresh Starts - Tash: Learning to read at 44 - BBC Sounds For 20 years, Tash hid her inability to read. But that's all about to change...

We spent a long time trying to decide on a name for our business, but we both knew “My Kind of Thinking” was the right one as soon as we said it 😊

We definitely agree that lots of the people with dyslexia we meet do appear to “see the bigger picture” and have a different way of thinking about things. We like to celebrate this in our work - and it seems lots of other businesses are starting to now too - great news for dyslexics!!

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/29/people-with-dyslexia-have-skills-that-we-need-says-gchq?fbclid=IwAR25DE7Y3LsvB94MPnEhtuAEF0HXbCkV7YHSZs42c2NPUqik2ffESevyAUs

People with dyslexia have skills that we need, says GCHQ UK surveillance agency says it has long valued neuro-diverse analysts – including Alan Turing

Today is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is ‘challenge’.

We are proud to be a female owned microbusiness, and it is amazing to think that it is just over a year since we were busy thinking up a name and logo. It has been quite a challenge establishing a business in the middle of a global pandemic, especially as much of our work relies on face-to-face meetings. From meeting in fields at festivals, to café’s, pubs and in the bookshop basement, our new norm has become regular zoom meetings and chats between home schooling and our daily exercise.

We are so grateful to those that have supported us this year, including our work with a range of new universities, schools and individuals across the country. We are looking forward to meeting face to face again, but a positive step we have taken from this challenging year, is that we are now able to offer full remote assessments to students and adults, alongside our face-to-face service. Here’s to another (perhaps not so crazy) year! Happy International Women’s Day!  

What an inspirational person! I’ve just heard William talking about his experiences on Radio 4 this morning. Sadly, William’s story shows the trauma that undiagnosed and unsupported dyslexia can cause at school. It also shows what can be achieved with the right understanding and support. I hope William does end up working up in politics - he’s just the kind of person that is needed.

Dyslexic student who couldn't read until aged 13 achieves first-class honours degree William Carter, 22, says having dyslexia made him into the person he is today.

Some useful ideas, links and resources for schooling at home with dyslexia. This has been produced by our friends at Barrington Stoke, who specialise in dyslexia friendly books.

https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BS-Home-Help-pack_FINAL.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1jh4aBBTIVunLKSc_BuSA_ZCxH1SXP0r48qBlCpdF2m8TZhAM_OcGycnQ