Dyslexia, spatial awareness and creativity in adolescent boys

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that dyslexia may be associated with enhanced visual-spatial ability and creativity. This study set out to explore the possibility of superior visual-spatial skills and creativity in matched research and comparison groups of 24 students each at age 12 years 10 months. All 24 participants with formally diagnosed dyslexia were closely matched for age, socio-economic status, type of school attended and a measure of ability with 24 non-dyslexic peers. They were assessed on all the sections of the Spatial Reasoning Test (12-year-old section) and the Torrance Test for Creativity. No differences were found between the two groups on the Torrance Test for Creativity, but the comparison group registered a statistically significant advantage over the dyslexic group on one spatial task: Recognition of Hidden Shapes.