Dyslexia and dyscalculia are often recognized as challenges in reading and math skills. Nonetheless, recent research indicates that individuals with these conditions may possess unexpected advantages, specifically a lesser tendency to harbor biases against others based on factors such as disability, race, or gender.
Dyslexia and dyscalculia are often recognized as challenges related to literacy and numeracy.
That said, a recent study has revealed that individuals with these conditions might actually have previously unrecognized advantages, particularly a decreased likelihood of exhibiting biases toward others based on characteristics like disability, race, or gender.
The aim of the research was to investigate whether, and to what degree, people with these two learning difficulties exhibit certain traits that are normally developed unconsciously by those without disabilities.
To achieve this, the researchers analyzed data collected through Project Implicit’s Implicit Association Test (IAT) database, which focuses on attitudes toward disability.
They examined responses to several questions along with the reaction times from over 460,000 individuals, which included 22,747 who have physical disabilities, 14,700 with dyslexia, and 1,721 with dyscalculia.
The findings indicated that individuals with dyslexia displayed significantly lower implicit bias compared to those without disabilities—something the researchers had anticipated, given existing knowledge about dyslexia and its effects.
Even more notably, individuals with dyscalculia showed an even greater reduction of bias than those with dyslexia and the general population.
The researchers assert that these results offer fresh perspectives on the development of individuals with dyslexia and dyscalculia.
They emphasize that these findings are particularly compelling because they validate earlier suggestions that not all consequences of such conditions are as negative as many people tend to believe.
The study was published in the journal Neurodiversity and was conducted by Dr. Gray Atherton and Dr. Liam Cross from the University of Plymouth’s School of Psychology.
This research is part of a broader initiative examining the experiences of individuals with various neurodiverse conditions, which recently included studies on the advantages of board and role-playing games for those with autism.
Dr. Cross remarked: “For most individuals, categorizing social groups is one of the first things we instinctively learn to do, leading to an inherent understanding of aspects like race and gender, and the development of certain implicit and psychological biases. Our study reveals that certain groups in society, despite facing challenges in literacy and numeracy, may avoid these biases. We argue that lacking these biases is beneficial both for these individuals and for society at large.”
Dr. Atherton added: “Our research continually seeks to uncover ways to view a learning disability as more than just an individual or negative challenge. The current study illustrates that people with dyslexia and dyscalculia are possibly less affected by many of society’s biases compared to those without such conditions. It reinforces the idea that not everyone needs to be equally competent, as they can contribute other valuable strengths to society.”
