A recent public controversy in the United States has once again exposed how much misinformation still exists about dyslexia. California Governor Gavin Newsom has spoken openly about living with dyslexia. President Donald Trump then publicly mocked Newsom’s dyslexia and used it to question both his intelligence and his fitness for office. Newsom responded with a message aimed directly at children:

“To every kid with a learning disability: don’t let anyone, not even the President of the United States, bully you.”

— Governor Gavin Newsom

That exchange matters for one reason above all others: dyslexia is still widely misunderstood.

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What dyslexia really is

Dyslexia is not a sign of low intelligence. It is a difference in how the brain processes written language. Leading institutions such as the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity explain that dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading that has no connection to overall intelligence. Yale also notes that many people with dyslexia are often highly creative thinkers with strong reasoning abilities.

This means that in classrooms, workplaces, and communities across the United States, millions of bright and capable children and adults are navigating reading and spelling challenges that have nothing to do with their potential.

The real harm of public misinformation

When a public figure treats dyslexia as proof that someone is “dumb,” that message does not stop with one politician. Children hear it. Teenagers hear it. Adults who struggled silently for years hear it too.

That is why this conversation is bigger than politics. It is about stigma. It is about whether children with dyslexia grow up believing they are broken, or whether they grow up understanding that they learn differently and can absolutely succeed with the right support.

Public ridicule does real damage. Accurate information does the opposite. It opens doors.

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Dyslexia and success are not opposites

For decades, researchers and educators have observed that dyslexic individuals often develop strong compensatory skills such as persistence, problem solving, big-picture thinking, and creative approaches to challenges. A comparative study on entrepreneurship found a significantly higher incidence of dyslexia among entrepreneurs than among corporate managers and the general population.

That does not mean dyslexia is easy. It is not. Reading, spelling, and written expression can be frustrating and exhausting without the right instruction. But dyslexia does not define intelligence, and it does not set a ceiling on achievement.

Why early identification and the right instruction matter

The real issue is never whether a child with dyslexia is capable. The real issue is whether that child is identified early and taught with methods that match how they learn.

At the American Dyslexia Association, this is exactly why awareness matters. The sooner families and educators understand what dyslexia is, the sooner children can receive structured, targeted support instead of blame, shame, or the false label of being lazy or unintelligent.

How ADA and DRC USA support educators and families

The American Dyslexia Association and the Dyslexia Research Center USA are committed to helping educators, tutors, specialists, and homeschooling parents better understand dyslexia and support learners effectively.

The Dyslexia Trainer Certificate Program, accredited by the American Dyslexia Association, is a structured 48-lesson online certification designed to give educators practical tools they can apply immediately. According to the official program information, the training includes the AFS Method, access to the standardized AFS Dyslexia Test, and serves participants worldwide across 64 countries. The program builds on 30 years of experience and is delivered according to the training standards of the IFDDA, the International Federation of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Associations.

This work is grounded in a simple idea: children and adults with dyslexia do not need ridicule. They need understanding, appropriate instruction, and educators who know what to do.

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This is not about party politics

Let’s be clear. This is not about taking a partisan political position. It is about correcting a false and harmful belief.

Dyslexia is not stupidity. It is not a character flaw. It is not a reason to dismiss someone’s future, leadership, or potential.

When influential people spread misinformation about dyslexia, organizations like ADA have a responsibility to speak up clearly and confidently.

The message every child needs to hear

Every child with dyslexia deserves to know this:

You may need to learn in a different way. You may need better tools, better teaching, and more informed support. But dyslexia does not define your worth, and it does not determine how far you can go.

Conclusion

The recent debate in the United States is a reminder that even in 2026, public understanding of dyslexia still has a long way to go. That is exactly why education, advocacy, and professional training remain so important.

At ADA, we believe the answer to misinformation is not silence. It is facts, support, and action.

Because every learner deserves the chance to succeed.

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The American Dyslexia Association does not take any partisan political position. This article serves exclusively for factual education about dyslexia.