Why is dyslexia identification important? It’s the spark that led to Chris Campbell’s formal assessment at age seven—and with it, revealed strengths he didn’t even know he had. In this episode, we dive into how early identification through a comprehensive dyslexia assessment not only explained his reading challenges but also unlocked creative “superpowers” that fuel his TikTok comedy and marathon training alike.

In this article:

Hosts Ellen Broome (CEO of the British Dyslexia Association) and Jamie Wace (Founder & CEO of Talamo) introduce TikTok star and advocate Chris Campbell, setting the stage for an honest conversation about early dyslexia identification. We’ll explore:  

• How a formal assessment at seven spotlighted Chris’s hidden talents

• The specific SpLD tools that turned overwhelming fatigue into laser focus  

• Why dyslexia isn’t just a hurdle but a different way of thinking  

• How you can access the full transcript and Talamo’s assessment resources  

How Early Dyslexia Assessment Revealed My Strengths  

A formal dyslexia assessment at seven did more than diagnose Chris’s reading struggles—it shone a light on his natural abilities. In today’s show, Chris recounts his parents’ decision to seek assessment after spotting his dad’s similar patterns, leading to insights into his 3D spatial reasoning and knack for storytelling. He recalls,  

“Sitting in that room, the psychologist said, ‘Your dyslexia lets you see patterns in ways others don’t.’ That moment felt like permission to think differently.”  

That validation gave him the confidence to lean into creative problem-solving—turning what once felt like shame into a superpower he celebrates every day.

How SpLD Strategies Turned Reading Fatigue into Focus  

Without accommodations, reading for hours was “like running a mental marathon.” Chris describes battling exhaustion as he tried to decode every word on screen. After his formal assessment, he gained access to SpLD strategies—multisensory highlighting, text-to-speech audiobooks, and extended time—that transformed his study sessions. He explains,  

“Once I started using audiobooks and colour-coded notes, I stopped feeling defeated. I’d break my work into ten-minute sprints and suddenly I could think about ideas instead of spelling.”  

These personalized tools didn’t just ease his workload; they reshaped how he engages with text, letting his creativity flow unhindered.  

Why Dyslexia Feels Like a Different Way of Thinking  

Dyslexia isn’t solely a challenge—it’s a unique cognitive lens that fosters creative leaps. Chris shares how constraints sparked his ingenuity: deadlines became creative fuel, and tight budgets led to resourceful hacks. He reflects,  

“Give me a box and I’ll build a spaceship. Dyslexia taught me to embrace limits and invent my own paths.”  

This mindset shift—from seeing dyslexia as a deficit to valuing it as a different mode of thought—originated in family conversations that framed the condition as an asset. It’s a reminder that early identification can redefine life’s possibilities.  

Conclusion & Resources  

Early dyslexia identification through screening or a formal assessment doesn’t just explain challenges—it unlocks hidden superpowers. Ready to help a child discover their strengths? Connect with us here.

Watch the full Episode here: