REPOST: Dyslexia is Britain's secret weapon in the spy war: Top codebreakers can crack complex problems because they suffer from the condition

Dyslexia is classified as a learning disability.  Children diagnosed with this are often placed in special classes and met with a lower expectation to succeed.  A Daily Mail article shows this 'disability' may be an asset to the government after all.

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Many of Britain’s top code-breakers and analysts are able to crack complex problems because they suffer from dyslexia, GCHQ has revealed.

A spokesman for the Government’s top-secret electronic eavesdropping station in Cheltenham said last night that some of their most talented code-breakers have difficulty in learning to read or interpreting words.

But this can actually help them crack codes, as they ‘see’ things those without the disorder do not.

GCHQ’s army of code-breakers and code-setters play a critical role in the battle to protect Britain from cyber attacks by other states and  criminals, including terrorists.

GCHQ recently found itself at the centre of allegations by US whistleblower Edward Snowden that it had access to the online data of British citizens via US spy agencies.

Last week MPs on the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee praised steps taken by spy chiefs to harness the skills of dyslexic code-breakers.

The threat to the UK from cyber attacks, according to the report, is at its ‘highest level ever’ and is ‘disturbing’ in its scale  and complexity.

The MPs said the Cheltenham-based agency had set up a Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Support Group, which provides ‘mentoring and practical support to individuals’.

A GCHQ spokesman said some of their most talented code-breakers were affected: ‘They are very creative but may need support, including adjustments in the workplace, such as IT tools and computer software, or [reductions] in their working hours.’

In a speech last year, Sir Iain Lobban, the director of GCHQ, said: ‘Part of my job is to attract the very best people and harness their talents, and not allow preconceptions and stereotypes to stifle innovation and agility.’

Adrian Culley, a cyber expert and former Scotland Yard computer crime detective, said: ‘Dyslexic people have the ability of seeing codes with patterns, repetitions and omissions.

'Dyslexia may in other circumstances be regarded as negative – but most people only get to see the full jigsaw picture when it’s nearly finished while dyslexic cryptographists can see what the jigsaw puzzle looks like with just two pieces.’

Some of the world’s greatest thinkers suffered from dyslexia, including Albert Einstein.

The effects of a learning disability ripple beyond school and homework.  Aspen Education Group provides a host of educational and therapeutic programs to help youth and teens cope with ADHD and similar problems. Read more about their services on this website.

The truth about boarding schools

The idea of parents sending their children to boarding school is perhaps far more common in Europe than in the United States. Among European aristocrats, children have traditionally been in the care of governesses and nursery schools until they reach 7 or 8 years old when they enter boarding school. This was the case for British Princes William and Harry when they were sent off by their late mother Princess Diana to Ludgrove School when they were 8 years old.

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While 8 years old seems like a young age to live away from home to some Americans, in other cultures it is a celebrated “coming of age” moment for children when they enter boarding schools. Some boarding schools even offer programs for children in kindergarten.

Apart from culture and tradition, what are the other reasons why parents send their children to boarding school?

Parents who send their children to boarding school believe these institutions offer superior academics. For example, in Europe, studying in Eton or Harrow is considered a passport to Oxford or Cambridge.

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Parents also like the idea of a more serene learning environment in boarding schools, which are mostly located in the countryside. In addition, many of these schools feature world-class gymnasiums, heated swimming pools, equine programs, and other high-end facilities.

Although boarding schools are relatively a bit pricey compared to traditional private educational institutions, its advocates believe that it is money well spent as studies have shown that boarding schools provide students an inclusive academic environment where they learn about independence and responsibility---lessons that are pertinent in life.

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This website discusses Aspen Education Group’s various residential boarding schools and therapeutic programs for troubled teens.