Photo by: Chris Morrison
By: JuYeon Kim Watch the Interview
Posted at 5:52 PM, Nov 07, 2022 and last updated 5:06 AM, Nov 08, 2022
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A mother in Overland Park is empowering others to be an advocate for their children.
Megan Nicolas wrote a graphic novel called 'Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers,' aiming to change the negative narratives surrounding dyslexics. “It’s been fun to share our story so we can encourage others,” Nicolas said. “I think we said if it helps one person, or if it brings a smile to a kiddo’s face, it's totally worth it for us.”
The book was inspired by her nine-year-old son, Luca, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at age six. She knew something was different about him when it came time for Luca and his twin brother Xavier to read. “When it was time to read, reading came easily to Xavier. He had really high marks academically — in traditional academics," Nicolas said. "And reading did not come easily for Luca. So I knew something was different."
Nicolas says she was disappointed at a local library when her and her twin boys could not find a children’s book written about dyslexia in a positive light.
Nicolas decided to write a children’s graphic novel portraying the gifts and “superpowers” of dyslexic children after being encouraged by her two boys. “We wanted to write a book that would encourage others when they read it and help them feel positive about having dyslexia,” Nicolas said. “Kind of normalizes getting a dyslexia diagnosis and learning to read in a different way and also highlights all the cool things about dyslexics’ brains.”
Dyslexia is best described as a language-based learning disability. According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, if affects 20% of the overall population. “I think with that high of percentage we can be doing better as a community,” Nicolas said. “Ultimate hope would be more awareness, and advocacy helps kind of get the right intervention, reading intervention, for all children.”
The book was published on the last day of October, which is also Dyslexia Awareness Month. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Nicolas’ website.“I hope they see that dyslexia isn’t a bad thing,” Luca Nicolas said.
Last spring, on a trip to the Johnson County Library’s Corinth branch in Prairie Village, Megan Nicolas and her twin sons Luca and Xavier noticed a lack of books that portrayed dyslexia positively. So they decided to write their own children’s graphic novel to fill that gap.
The upshot: Nicolas of Overland Park wrote “Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers” because the only dyslexia-related book at the library talked about the struggles and challenges that come with being dyslexic.
The goal of the book is to empower dyslexic children and bring public awareness to “how brilliant the dyslexic mind can be,” Nicolas said.
There are interesting skills — including strong visual memory and spatial skills, problem solving skills and more — that dyslexics can develop that aren’t often talked about, Nicolas said.
Background: The story is loosely based on her son Luca’s journey with dyslexia, which he was diagnosed with at age 6.
Nicolas said she knew something about Luca was different very early on.
Reading was difficult, but understanding social cues and nuances and instantly being able to read people came naturally to him.
Megan Nicolas and her sons, Xavier (left) and Luca (right). Photo credit Juliana Garcia
What they’re saying: Nicolas said the purpose of “Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers” is to encourage children with dyslexia to know it isn’t all about struggles and challenges.
There are great things about their minds — because of and not merely despite their dyslexia, she said.
While early intervention isn’t discussed in the book, Nicolas said, it’s an important piece of the puzzle.
Nicolas said early intervention and diagnosis is what helped Luca get to the point where he can read 400-page books now.
The goal is to educate others about dyslexia and encourage families to keep looking for folks who might be able to help their children navigate dyslexia.
Key quote: “There are a lot of strengths, just like all of us we have strengths in some areas and weaknesses — it’s kind of like that,” Nicolas said. “It should be something that’s normalized, that we kind of value each other’s strengths. They say one in five children have dyslexia, and I think for some reason there’s not as much awareness and advocacy about it.”
How to get the book
“Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers,” which is written by Nichols and illustrated by Emmanuel Ifeanacho, is available to purchase in hardcover or paperback on Amazon.
It is a 36-page graphic novel that is loosely based on Luca’s experience as a dyslexic, Nicolas said.
“Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers” also features a nod to the Kansas City region, specifically the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, Nicolas said.
Overland Park mom, inspired by son, write graphic novel about dyslexia superpowers.
Juliana Garcia Nov 04, 2022 - Overland Park
Xavier and Luca with the book "Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers"
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022
Dyslexia has been defined as a language-based learning difference that can affect a person’s ability to read and spell. It varies greatly with each individual but has no connection to intellectual ability. And there are ways to confront the challenge while harnessing a person’s strengths to excel in school and life.
Johnson County Library Youth Information Specialist Tami Thomas is passionate about offering resources for patrons with dyslexia.
“We can help parents and kids find books at the appropriate reading level for reading practice, as well as at the appropriate interest level to help build their vocabulary and knowledge base,” she said. “Reading is reading, whether it’s print or audio books or graphic novels.”
Another wonderful resource is now available from Megan Nicolas, an Overland Park mom and Corinth Library branch patron, who has authored a graphic novel, along with illustrator Emmanuel Ifeanacho, geared to encouraging children with dyslexia.
The book, Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers, is now available for purchase. It was inspired by Nicolas’ twin sons Luca and Xavier, and by Luca’s own experience with dyslexia. Luca got specialized reading intervention, is thriving, and now loves to read.
“This is our way to bring about awareness and encourage families,” Nicolas said. “Oftentimes families don’t know what to do or where to turn and seem burdened by the difficulties that can accompany dyslexia. We want to help normalize the diagnosis and help children see that their brains are amazing, perhaps because they have dyslexia.”
Luca and Xavier are now 9 years old. When Luca was 6 years old, Nicolas realized he was having difficulty reading, even though he was very creative and had great problem-solving skills. After a psychologist identified dyslexia, Luca got extra reading instruction and now tackles 400-page books.
Nicolas realizes that isn’t everyone’s story, but she believes her family’s experience can enlighten others. In spring 2021, she and her boys read a children’s book about dyslexia that seemed to emphasize the difficulties. The boys suggested writing a book with a very hopeful message, about children finding their own superpowers.
Nicolas is an occupational therapist and had no experience as an author. But she took her sons’ suggestion to heart, wrote the book, and through connections found a publisher, Argyle Fox Publishing. Argyle brought in Ifeanacho as illustrator, and Nicolas was thrilled with how the images complement the text. She hopes the book can reassure and motivate other children and families.
Thomas learned a lot about dyslexia and successful educational strategies while homeschooling her child with dyslexia. “There are science-based methods of teaching,” she said.
Thomas joined Johnson County Library six years ago as a page and now works at the Blue Valley branch as a youth information specialist. She has created helpful dyslexia-related book displays and has compiled great catalog lists of books, movies and TV for all ages.
As a parent resource, she recommends The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben Foss. For fun books with a dyslexic main character she recommends two series by Henry Winkler (yes, the actor who played The Fonz), who is dyslexic himself: the Here’s Hank series (for ages 6-8) and the Hank Zipzer series (ages 8-12).
Thomas recommends audio books for children with dyslexia, and Johnson County Library can really help. “That is one of the great things the Library has,” she said. “We have a big selection of CD and eAudio books.”
