Detailed Processor Versus Slow Processor

Detailed Processor Versus Slow Processor

The current trend is to label symptoms of dyslexia. One of the labels is Slow Processor. A more accurate label would be Detailed Processor. Let me explain.

Let’s imagine that a detailed processor is presented with a pen. A non-dyslexic will look at the pen and identify it as a pen and go no further. A detailed processor will look at the pen and mentally investigate the mechanics of that pen. This may appear to be slow processing compared to a person that only identifies the object as a pen however the dyslexic has identified key parts inside the pen and established “how” the pen works.

Both of my children are Detailed Processors. The youngest son is always dissecting things; shampoo bottles, toys, motors. At one point I reached my frustration level when I stepped on a toy that my son had dissected. With clenched teeth I said to my son, “why do you always take things apart and leave them on the floor?” My beautiful son looked at me and said, “Mum, that is my gift.” Knowing he was a detailed processor I immediately sensed this was a pivotal moment and after a few deep breaths replied, “You are absolutely right! In the future can you make sure you clean up the mess.” Who am I to curtail the way my child learns. I can tell you if something needs fixing I will always ask one of my Detailed Processors to fix it.

Isn’t this how Leonardo Da Vinci thought? Imagine Leo looking up in the sky and observing a bird. A “normal processor” would just notice the bird. Leo, using his Detailed Processing, would be figuring out “how” that bird flew. Hence, his drawing of a helicopter 400 years before aviation.

Let me tell you about Dillon, another Detailed Processor. I was explaining to
Dillon’s mum about the thinking process of a dyslexic and suddenly a light bulb went on in her head and she said, “That explains it!”. Apparently when Dillion was younger he took apart his sisters’ tread mill that their Barbie Doll used to keep her figure perfect. Dillon perfectly reassembled the tread mill but added a little more power. Imagine how angry Dillon’s sisters were when the now turbo powered tread mill caused poor Barbie to lose her legs. Guess what! Dillon now builds computers from scratch.

Now, let’s look at a Diversified Processor or ADD/ADHD person. A Diversified Processor will look at that pen and instantly know the mechanics and will visually process the unlimited uses of that pen.

On a recent camping trip I noticed a camp kitchen that I quite liked. I turned to my husband and started to say, “Do you see that…” and I was cut off mid sentence. My husband, a Diversified Processor, said, “Yes, and I have redesigned it!” Now, in the days prior to this new label I would have responded angrily and said, “Why don’t you ever let me finish a sentence. You never listen to me!” But in my new state of enlightenment I laughed and said, “I should have known you could design something better!” Let me tell you, I barely had the words out of my mouth before he had a pen and paper in hand to draw his new camp kitchen.
I would put Richard Branson and Ted Turner into the category of “Diversified Processors”.

Let us embrace these new labels and allow a more positive understanding.

Dyslexia Australia is a privately owned company providing advocacy, tuition, and support to Dyslexics and their families.

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