A new animation voiced by Jeremy Irons and Liv Tyler is being released to tackle negative attitudes towards dyslexia.
It comes after research suggested current descriptions of the learning difference leave children feeling “hopeless”.
This initiative follows recent criticism of US President Donald Trump, who last month referred to California Governor Gavin Newsom as having dyslexia and being “dumb”.
Mr Newsom hit back online: “To every kid with a learning disability: don’t let anyone — not even the president of the United States — bully you. Dyslexia isn’t a weakness. It’s your strength.”
The Made By Dyslexia charity, behind the film, defines dyslexia as a “brilliant and different way of thinking”, advocating for it as a learning difference.
Their survey of 5,000 dyslexic individuals and their families, including 2,000 in the UK, found three-quarters felt online information overemphasises challenges, neglecting strengths like problem-solving and imagination.
A significant 90 per cent believed existing descriptions negatively impact a child’s future belief, with 55 per cent reporting terms like “lifelong learning disorder” and “word-blindness” caused hopelessness, and 32 per cent finding them frightening.
Three-quarters of respondents also felt schools lacked understanding of dyslexia’s associated strengths.
Campaigners said the new animation, which has been in the works for more than a year and premieres in London on Saturday, aims to rewrite “outdated narratives by highlighting that dyslexic brains process information differently”.
It follows a young girl, named Lola, who is met with a bleak picture of her future after searching online for information about her dyslexia.
But this changes when she encounters a dyslexic inventor who helps her discover the achievements of dyslexic people throughout history, including boxer Muhammad Ali and car giant Henry Ford.
Irons, who is the voice of the wise inventor in the short film, said dyslexic people should have access to information allowing them to “understand their extraordinary strengths”.
He said: “Coming from a family of creative dyslexics, I know just how important it is that we ensure all dyslexic children understand their extraordinary strengths.
“Throughout history, dyslexics have played a role in many of the world’s most significant innovations, from the light bulb to the motor car.
“I am so proud to be involved in this wonderful project and hope that everyone will support us in watching, sharing and reviewing the film, so that each year, millions of children and parents will find it at the top of their searches.”
Hope Day, who is a 13-year-old dyslexic actress and the voice of Lola in the animation, which is titled What Is Dyslexia?, said: “There is so much online that makes dyslexic children and young people feel like there is something wrong with them.
“When I was younger, I discovered Made By Dyslexia and it helped me find what I am really good at.
“I realised my creativity and passion for singing and dancing is thanks to my dyslexic thinking. I wanted to be part of this film to help other children see that being dyslexic gives you brilliant strengths.”
The charity hopes people watching, liking and sharing the film will help it get to the top of the search results so that when children and parents look for information about dyslexia, they are “met with an empowering story”.
Kate Griggs, executive producer of the film and charity founder said: “Every year millions of children search online to understand what dyslexia means for their future, but what they find is often framed around difficulty.
“When that is the first story a young person hears about their mind, it can damage confidence before they understand their strengths.
“This campaign is about changing that first impression. As a dyslexic, parent of dyslexic children, and the founder of Made By Dyslexia, I know how vital this is.
“By bringing a more balanced and empowering understanding of dyslexia to the top of search, we can help young people see confidence, capability and their bright futures.”
