Antoni Gaudi - beautiful, creative, dyslexic mind!

After wandering through the amazing Casa Batllo in Barcelona I said to Gordon 'I bet Gaudi was dyslexic'.  Often, dyslexic people excel in other non-academic areas... the arts, music or athletics. This came to mind because our middle daughter, Audra, is dyslexic.  I've learned a lot about dyslexia in the past three years since she was diagnosed. Understanding dyslexia and spreading knowledge about it is a cause near and dear to my heart.

Sagrada Familia - interior ceiling

From all indications, Gaudi's academic track record was typical of a student struggling with dyslexia. Although Gaudi pursued a lot of schooling his grades were poor and he occasionally failed his classes.  When the director of the Barcelona Architecture School awarded Gaudi his degree he is quoted as saying: "We have given this academic title either to a fool or a genius. Time will show."  Of course, in the late 1800's they did not about dyslexia.  A greater understanding of this learning difference has only really occurred in the last 25 years.

Casa Batllo - famous 'dragon' rooftop

Casa Batllo

Gaudí left hardly any written documents, he preferred to build models of his projects instead of drawing plans.  He had an amazing ability to work in a three dimensional, spatial world.  To Gaudi, architecture was multifunctional, aesthetic and functional.  He was innovative in using building materials in new ways, whether is was ironwork, wood, stone, etc. 

Park Guell

Park Guell

From International Dyslexia Association (http://www.interdys.org/FAQ.htm)

What is dyslexia?Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia results in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia can make it very difficult for a student to succeed academically in the typical instructional environment.
Dyslexia is not due to either lack of intelligence or desire to learn; with appropriate teaching methods, dyslexics can learn successfully.

Individuals inherit the genetic links for dyslexia. Chances are that one of the child's parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles is dyslexic.

It is believed that 20% of the population is dyslexic, with only around 10% diagnosed.  

A few famous dyslexics: 
Steve Spielberg, director

Steve Jobs, Apple

Ted Turner, TBS

Richard Branson, business

Charles Schwab, business
Jay Leno, actor/comedian

Cher, musician/actress
Jamie Oliver, chef
Salma Hayek, actress
Keira Knightley, actress
Florence Welch, musician
John Irving, author
Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series
Anthony Hopkins, actor
John Lennon, musician

Whoopi Goldberg, comedian/actress
Agatha Christie, author

Walt Disney

Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden 
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden
Albert Einstein, inventor

Thomas Edison, inventor

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor

Leonardo Di Vinci, artist

Pablo Picasso, artist