26. Strengths-based education (Part 1): Unlocking the gifts

26. Strengths-based education (Part 1): Unlocking the gifts

From No Such Thing as Normal by NZME

March 13, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of recognizing the strengths of dyslexic and neurodivergent learners in education.

For many dyslexic children, school is where self-doubt begins. Literacy and numeracy sit at the centre of how ability is measured, so it doesn’t take long for kids who struggle in these areas to absorb the message that something is wrong with them. And this extends beyond dyslexia. Many neurodivergent learners - including those with ADHD and autism - have strengths that sit outside the narrow skills schools traditionally measure.  Ensuring all kids learn to read and write is important, and many will need targeted support. But are we missing something vital in this process?  Should the same emphasis be placed on the unique gifts of those with learning difficulties? Dean Bragonier is an international dyslexia advocate and founder of non-profit organisation NoticeAbility .  He held a series of workshops in New Zealand, designed to help dyslexic students recognise their cognitive strengths. In this episode, Sonia speaks to Dean , and from some of the children who took part in the workshops here. This conversation focuses on dyslexia, but the idea reaches far beyond it.  When young people discover their strengths, the story they tell about themselves can…

People in this episode

Host: Sonia

Guest: Dean Bragonier

Topics covered

  • dyslexia
  • neurodiversity
  • education
  • strengths-based learning
  • self-perception
  • cognitive strengths

Keywords

  • dyslexia
  • neurodiversity
  • education
  • strengths
  • self-doubt
  • learning difficulties
  • ADHD
  • autism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NoticeAbility

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