In today’s episode, I share one of the most powerful studies I came across after my own diagnosis — a 2021 study by Virginia Stern and colleagues titled Enhanced Visceral Motor Emotional Reactivity in Dyslexia and its Relation to the Salience Network. Though the name might sound complex, the findings are profound: dyslexic individuals—especially those with phonetic processing differences—may experience heightened emotional and social awareness.
This episode explores how:
• Dyslexia affects more than reading or learning — it shapes social and emotional experiences.
• Phonetic dyslexics may have stronger facial expressiveness and heightened empathy.
• These sensitivities can lead to both deep connection and emotional overwhelm.
• Emotional regulation, through tools like breathwork, helps dyslexic individuals stay grounded while embracing their perceptive strengths.
• Together, we’ll look at what this study reveals about how dyslexic brains feel and connect — and how understanding these emotional nuances can help us rewrite the dyslexic story from one of limitation to one of deep human insight.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome to Unmasking Dyslexia
0:38 – Why this study changed how I understood my dyslexic brain
2:10 – Overview of Stern et al. (2021): Emotional reactivity and the dyslexic brain
3:50 – The importance of identifying which type of dyslexia is studied
5:15 – How phonetic dyslexics process emotion differently
7:20 – Facial expression, empathy, and emotional intensity
9:30 – The link between emotional expression, anxiety, and depression
12:10 – What this means for relationships and communication
15:00 – Emotional regulation for dyslexic sensitivity
16:15 – Using the breath to restore balance and calm
18:30 – Why we need more research — and a new story of dyslexia
Key Takeaways:
• Dyslexia is not only about reading — it’s about how we experience the world emotionally and socially.
• Phonetic dyslexics may have heightened emotional awareness and expressive empathy.
• Emotional regulation is a vital skill for dyslexics — the breath can be a powerful anchor.
• Science is beginning to show that dyslexia shapes connection, not just cognition.
• It’s time to rewrite the story of dyslexia from deficit to difference.
#UnmaskingDyslexia #CarleenRoss #DyslexiaAndEmotion #Neurodiversity #EmotionalIntelligence #DyslexicStrengths #Neurodivergent #DyslexiaAwareness #PositivePsychology #SocialNeuroscience #EmotionalRegulation #MeaningAndMattering
Study:
Sturm, V. E., Roy, A. R. K., Datta, S., Wang, C., Sible, I. J., Holley, S. R., Watson, C., Palser, E. R., Morris, N. A., Battistella, G., Rah, E., Meyer, M., Pakvasa, M., Mandelli, M. L., Deleon, J., Hoeft, F., Caverzasi, E., Miller, Z. A., Shapiro, K. A., … Gorno-Tempini, M. L. (2021). Enhanced visceromotor emotional reactivity in dyslexia and its relation to salience network connectivity. Cortex, 134, 278–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.10.022

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic.

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com or to connect with me directly, email me at [email protected].