Episode Description:

This week on the show, Andrew meets dyslexic author and illustrator Tom McLaughlin. In the episode, Tom tells Andrew why he believes dyslexia makes you quick witted. Tom also explains how dyslexia, in his own words, got him ‘fired from his own book’ and the discuss the problem with telling kids about famous neuro-divergents in history.

Top Quotes:

“Dyslexia allowed to me get quite good at lying, joking and faking. You can’t stand in front of a teacher and read a book so instead you start making it up. Both in class and with friends, I realised I could be the funny person. I think that’s why dyslexic people become quick witted.” - Tom McLaughlin

“Self-awareness, I believe, is the key to happiness” - Andrew Kitley

About the host:

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice and inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

About the guest:

Tom is an author and illustrator from Devon. He worked for 10 years as a political cartoonist for The Western Morning News. In 2006 he left the paper to freelance as an animation designer for a number of TV shows, as well as an occasional columnist for The Guardian online.

He won a bursary to direct his short animated film "The Girl With The Pink Shoes", as part of the Animated Exeter festival.

He started in the world of children’s publishing by illustrating other people’s books before turning his hand to writing. He has written and illustrated for Bloomsbury, Puffin, Scholastic, OUP, and Walker. His books have been nominated for countless awards and have been translated into over 10 different languages.

Resources:

https://tommclaughlin.co.uk/

http://theinvisiblegift.com/

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.onefineplay.com/