There are two basic kinds of learners: Verbal and Nonverbal. Intelligence does not play a role in this distinction—it is simply a difference in learning and thinking styles.

Verbal learners mainly think through the sound of words. In their mind, they hear their voice speaking to them. Verbal thought is linear and follows the structure of language. Thinking verbally consists of composing mental sentences, one word at a time, at about the same speed as speech.

Nonverbal learners mainly think in pictures. They identify words and objects by viewing them from infinite visual perspectives. They think with 3-dimensional, multi-sensory images that evolve and grow as the thought process adds more information or concepts. This thought process happens so much faster than verbal thinking that it is subliminal - explaining why dyslexics are often unaware of errors. "Picture-thinkers" experience little, if any, internal "dialogue" sounds, therefore, reading through phonics is nearly impossible, always frustrating, and sometimes painful.

Is the letter on the right "b" or "d"?

The Dyslexia Dilemma

A picture thinker can easily "picture a meaning" for words that represent objects and action verbs like: chair, pencil, run, and jump. However, they are unconsciously challenged when faced with certain abstract words like: the, was, if, and, were, in, on, as, or, that...and at least 209 others just like them (commonly known as “sight words”).

Those words are at the root of reading difficulties for a picture-thinker.

WHY?

With no picture to process for each sight word, the reading material quickly loses meaning - causing confusion, frustration, and fatigue.

Consider, for a moment, that up to 60% of any written paragraph contains words that DO NOT allow a "picture thinker" to create a picture. Imagine, as a person who thinks in pictures, trying to obtain the real meaning of a paragraph when 60% of the words are words with which you cannot think!

The Dyslexia Dilemma

WHY?

Give it a try!