The Dyslexic Advantage talks about the strengths and challenges that LD and ADHD kids face. The authors make the case that the dyslexic strengths and challenges arise not from a hemisphere dominance issue. Rather, they claim it has to do with how tightly packed the neurons are within the brain. This information has come to light through recent research.
According to the authors, the brain has stacks of neurons in columns for processing similar types of information and actions. These columns connect together using wire-like nerve bundles called axons. The axons allow the neurons to process as larger groups for much higher order thinking with emergent abilities.
The spacing between the nerve columns, and therefore the length of the axons, will affect the type of processing the brain will be best suited for.
People with short axons excel at detail-oriented work. They pick up processes easily (such as math facts or grammar rules) and quickly reach automaticity for repetitive, learned tasks. Your typical learner students do well with these tasks.
People with long axons will be global, big picture thinkers. They struggle at the tasks that typical learners excel at. On the other hand, they have strengths in spatial abilities, episodic memory, and intuitive thinking. Kids with LD and ADD show these traits.
However, don’t confuse spatial ability with visual imagination ability – though some people combine both. Spatial reasoning can be non-visual, such as: somatosensory (tactile and muscular), or a sense of movement or process.
Thus, spatial abilities are one source of the learning differences. Again, the strengths and challenges result not from a disease or defect, but from brain structure.