Thinking Style
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.
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Verbal learners mainly think in words rather than pictures, with a sort of internal dialogue. 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. |
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Nonverbal learners mainly think in pictures. They think with 3-dimensional, multi-sensory images that evolve and grow as the thought process adds more information or concepts. They do not experience much, if any, internal dialogue. This thought process, which happens so much faster than verbal thinking, is usually subliminal. |
The Dyslexia Dilemma
Words that enable a picture-thinking person to imagine a picture, have meaning and are clearly understood. However, they are unconsciously challenged when faced with certain words like: the, was, if, and, were, in, on, as, or, that...and at least 207 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 given written paragraph consists of words that DO NOT trigger a visual picture. Imagine what it might be like for a person who thinks in pictures trying to obtain the real meaning of a paragraph when 60% of the words are words with which they cannot think!
Text and animated graphics ©2007 Mind's Eye Marketing
The ability to think in 3-dimensional, multi-sensory pictures
is a talent that all Dyslexics share. It can, however, cause
problems and confusion when it comes to 2-dimensional
symbols and words.
Nonverbal thought is multi-dimensional and object-based. For real world objects, this works beautifully... but for letters and numerals, it causes confusion:
Verbal thought is linear and sequential:
For the dyslexic who thinks visually, if a picture is not readily apparent for a word, their mental imagery will go blank and there will be no understanding. This becomes even more evident with abstract words such as: the, is, know, what, by, but, etc. There are about 219 of these words and they are triggers for the symptoms of dyslexia. The blank picture one gets when faced with reading one of these trigger words is at the core of the confusion. At first, a dyslexic can push past the blank picture and continue reading, but with accumulated blanks, they will eventually disorient.
Richard Branson shares in this video the sensation of
not having a "picture" of a word.
Professional services described as Davis™, Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, and Davis Math Mastery® may only be provided by persons who are employed by a licensed Davis Specialist, or who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators by Davis Dyslexia Association International.
