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People with dyslexia process written information differently. For some, dyslexia may manifest as difficulty with spelling, grammar, reading, or writing, while others may struggle with word pronunciation, reading retention, or recognizing rhyming patterns. As the most common type of neurodivergence, dyslexia affects 5-15 percent of the US population, according to WebMD, including Hollywood stars. Jennifer Aniston, Octavia Spencer, Keanu Reeves, and Tom Holland are just some of the celebrities with dyslexia who have been open about their learning disorder and how it has shaped their lives.
Historically, dyslexia has been met with shame and misunderstanding, creating a stigma that makes it difficult for those with the disability to speak out about their experiences. Living with dyslexia may inhibit how someone performs at school or work, and may even limit the types of activities they enjoy. Additionally, while some people might receive a dyslexia diagnosis during childhood, others may go the majority of their lives without understanding their learning disability or how to manage it. Often, this has a powerful impact on the way a person with dyslexia perceives themself and what they believe they are able to accomplish.
Several celebrities with dyslexia, however, have been candid about its effect on their lives and what steps they took to work around the learning disorder in a world that largely does not accommodate for learning differences. Ahead, see what celebrities with dyslexia had to say about living with the learning disorder, how it affected their childhoods, and how dyslexia has influenced their careers — often, for the better.
This article was originally published on sheknows.com.