Why Dyslexia Might Be an Ancient Feature, Not a Flaw

Guest post by Stephen Martin – The Truth About Dyslexia Podcast, New Zealand.

If you’ve ever been told “you’re just not good at reading” or “you’d be fine if you tried harder,” buckle in. This new research might change how you see yourself forever.

Because what science is starting to say is this: dyslexia isn’t a mistake in your wiring. It might be a very old, deeply human feature.

The biggest genetic study yet

Researchers led by Hayley S. Mountford have published a massive study called “Multivariate genome wide association analysis of dyslexia and quantitative reading skill improves gene discovery.”

They looked at data from over 1.2 million people to understand how our DNA influences reading ability and dyslexia.

They found around 80 regions of DNA linked to reading and dyslexia traits, and 13 completely new ones that scientists had never seen before.

These genes were most active during early brain development, especially in areas tied to how we connect sounds, language and symbols.

That’s a big deal because it helps explain why dyslexic wiring shows up so early in life.

So what’s a “genetic risk score”?

The researchers used something called a polygenic index, or genetic risk score, to see how much these DNA patterns affect reading skills.

In simple terms, it’s like adding up lots of small differences across many genes to get a sense of how your brain might lean toward a dyslexic learning style.

But here’s what matters.

That genetic score only explains about 4 to 5 percent of the difference in how well people read.

That means the rest, more than 90 percent, comes from how you grow up, how you learn, and the environment around you.

Genes set the stage, but experience writes the story.

Dyslexia is old. Really old.

Here’s the part that blew my mind.

When scientists looked at ancient DNA, they found no sign that these genes have been selected for or against in the last 15,000 years.

In other words, humans didn’t evolve to get rid of dyslexic wiring.

That means it’s not a glitch that slipped through evolution’s filter.

It’s something that has been part of us for a very long time.

Maybe because it brings something valuable.

A different kind of brain

If you think about it, that makes sense.

Before reading and writing even existed, our survival didn’t depend on decoding letters. It depended on seeing patterns, solving problems, and thinking visually.

Those are the exact strengths many dyslexic brains have.

So maybe the issue isn’t your brain. Maybe the issue is that schools were built for one narrow way of learning, and we’ve mistaken difference for defect.

You don’t fail at reading because you’re not smart.

You struggle because you’re trying to run new software on ancient, brilliant hardware.

What this means for you

You’re not broken.

Your brain just builds meaning in a different way.

Yes, dyslexia has a genetic footprint. But it’s a small part of a much bigger picture that includes how we teach, how we support, and how we value different ways of thinking.

That’s hopeful. It means your brain can learn, adapt, and thrive when given the right tools, and that it was never meant to be judged by how fast you can read a paragraph.

So next time someone says dyslexia is a disadvantage, remind them it’s been part of humanity for at least 15,000 years.

If it was a mistake, evolution would have fixed it by now.

The takeaway

This new study gives scientific proof to what many of us already feel deep down.

Dyslexia isn’t a flaw. It’s one of the many ways the human brain has learned to understand the world.

You might read differently.

You might learn differently.

But you were never meant to fit someone else’s definition of “normal.”

You’re built for insight, imagination and resilience.

And now, even the DNA agrees.

Get the right tools for YOUR thinking style

Understanding your dyslexic wiring as an ancient adaptation—not a flaw—is the first step toward working with it instead of against it. The Davis® Mastery for Dyslexia program applies this strength-based thinking through proven methods designed for picture thinkers. It addresses the root causes of dyslexia by teaching you to control perceptual disorientation and master the symbols and words that trigger confusion, so your natural abilities work for you instead of against you. Whether you have a dyslexia diagnosis, suspect you might have dyslexia, or are exploring whether Davis methods could help with other learning challenges, a licensed facilitator can work with you.

Find a facilitator near you, or contact us to discuss your specific needs.

References

Mountford, H. S. et al. (2025). Multivariate genome wide association analysis of dyslexia and quantitative reading skill improves gene discovery. Translational Psychiatry (Nature Publishing Group).

Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03514-0

Press summary via Medical Xpress.