Newsletter 310: The Dyslexic AI Prompt Library

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What You'll Learn Today

• 8 copy-paste prompts designed specifically for dyslexic cognitive patterns

• Prompts for students, professionals, educators, and parents

• Why each prompt works with pattern recognition and spatial thinking

• When to use each approach for maximum effectiveness

• How to adapt these frameworks to your specific needs

Reading Time: 15-18 minutes | Listening Time: 12-15 minutes if read aloud

Why Prompts Matter for Dyslexic Minds

Generic AI prompts assume linear, sequential thinking. They work okay for neurotypical processing patterns but often miss how dyslexic minds naturally work.

These prompts are different. Each one leverages dyslexic cognitive strengths:

• Pattern recognition across domains

• Spatial and visual processing

• Big-picture synthesis before details

• Intuitive connections and lateral thinking

• Narrative and metaphorical understanding

Copy them exactly. Adjust them to your situation. Build on them. Make them yours.

Let's dive in.

For Students: The Study Session Optimizer

The Prompt

I'm a dyslexic student studying [subject/topic]. I need to understand [specific concept] for [upcoming test/project/assignment].

Here's how I learn best:
- I think in connections and patterns, not linear sequences
- I need to see the big picture before diving into details
- I process information better through visual relationships and stories
- Dense text overwhelms me, but I excel at seeing how things relate

Help me by:
1. First, explain the overall concept using a real-world analogy or story
2. Then, create a visual map showing how the key ideas connect to each other
3. Break down the details into small, pattern-based chunks
4. Give me questions to test if I understand the relationships, not just memorized facts
5. Suggest a way to explain this concept to someone else using my own connections

Make your explanations conversational, not textbook-style.

The Breakdown

Who: Dyslexic students at any level (middle school through college)

What: Transforms dense academic material into pattern-based, visual learning that matches dyslexic cognitive strengths

Where: Study sessions, homework time, test preparation, project research

When:

• When facing new, complex concepts that seem overwhelming

• Before exams when you need to understand relationships, not just memorize

• During research when connecting different sources

• When traditional study methods aren't clicking

Why It Works: This prompt explicitly tells AI to work with dyslexic processing patterns. The "big picture first" approach matches how dyslexic minds naturally synthesize information. Asking for visual maps leverages spatial reasoning strengths. The "explain to someone else" component ensures genuine understanding rather than surface-level memorization.

How to Use: Replace the bracketed sections with your specific situation. The more context you give about the subject and what you're trying to accomplish, the better AI can adapt its explanation. Save AI's visual map descriptions and turn them into actual drawings or diagrams - this converts the explanation into your strongest processing mode.

Pro Tip: After AI gives you the explanation, ask follow-up questions like "What's another analogy for this?" or "How does this connect to [something else I'm studying]?" to deepen the pattern recognition.

For Professionals: The Meeting Preparation Partner

The Prompt

I have an important meeting coming up about [meeting topic/purpose]. I'm dyslexic and process information through patterns and spatial relationships rather than linear details.

Meeting context:
- Topic: [what the meeting is about]
- My role: [what I'm expected to contribute]
- Key people: [who will be there and their concerns]
- Desired outcome: [what success looks like]

I need help organizing my thoughts so I can:
- See the big picture and key patterns in this situation
- Anticipate how different elements connect
- Prepare talking points that are clear but not scripted
- Have responses ready for likely challenges or questions

Present this as:
1. A visual concept map showing how the main topics relate
2. Three core points I should make (with the "why it matters" for each)
3. Likely concerns from others and how my perspective addresses them
4. Key relationships or patterns I might see that others could miss
5. One strong opening and one strong closing statement

Keep it conversational - I think through talking, not reading scripts.

The Breakdown

Who: Dyslexic professionals in any field (especially those in meetings with neurotypical colleagues)

What: Converts meeting preparation from memorizing talking points to understanding strategic patterns and relationships

Where: Before client meetings, team discussions, presentations, strategy sessions, performance reviews

When:

• When you need to present ideas clearly without losing your natural thinking style

• Before high-stakes meetings where you want to show strategic thinking

• When you're worried about "blanking" under pressure

• When you need to anticipate questions or challenges

Why It Works: Linear meeting notes don't work for dyslexic minds. This prompt creates a pattern-based preparation that matches how you naturally think. The concept map gives you spatial organization. The "why it matters" for each point connects to your pattern recognition strength. The "likely concerns" section prepares you without forcing memorization. You understand the territory rather than following a script.

How to Use: Fill in the meeting context as thoroughly as possible. The more AI understands the situation, the better it can map the patterns. After AI responds, use its concept map as your meeting notes rather than trying to remember bullet points. During the meeting, you'll recall the patterns and relationships naturally rather than struggling to remember specific phrases.

Pro Tip: Print or draw the concept map before the meeting. Having the visual spatial map in front of you helps trigger your pattern recognition during discussion.

For Educators: The Lesson Adaptation Tool

The Prompt

I'm teaching [subject/topic] to students who include dyslexic learners. My current lesson plan is:

[paste your existing lesson plan or describe it]

I want to adapt this lesson to work WITH dyslexic cognitive patterns, not just accommodate them. Dyslexic strengths include:
- Enhanced pattern recognition
- Strong spatial and visual processing
- Big-picture thinking before details
- Creative connections across domains
- Narrative and metaphorical learning

Help me redesign this lesson by:
1. Identifying where the current approach requires mainly linear/sequential processing
2. Suggesting how to present the same content through patterns and relationships
3. Creating visual or spatial learning activities that teach the same concepts
4. Developing assessment methods that test understanding, not just sequential recall
5. Adding real-world connections that leverage pattern recognition

Show me both "before" and "after" versions so I can see the difference.

The Breakdown

Who: Teachers, tutors, coaches, instructional designers, educational therapists

What: Transforms traditional sequential lesson plans into pattern-based, dyslexic-optimized learning experiences

Where: Classroom planning, tutoring sessions, curriculum development, homeschool environments

When:

• When you notice dyslexic students struggling with traditional instruction

• During curriculum planning for diverse classrooms

• When creating differentiated instruction materials

• Before working one-on-one with dyslexic learners

Why It Works: Most lesson plans assume neurotypical sequential processing. This prompt helps educators see where their current approach creates unnecessary barriers for dyslexic students. Rather than just "accommodating" dyslexia, it redesigns instruction to leverage dyslexic cognitive strengths. The before/after comparison helps educators understand the difference between accommodation and optimization.

How to Use: Copy your actual lesson plan into the prompt. Be honest about your current teaching methods. AI will show you specific places where pattern-based approaches could work better. You don't have to implement every suggestion - even one or two changes can significantly improve dyslexic student engagement and understanding.

Pro Tip: After AI gives you the redesign, ask "How would this help visual-spatial learners in general?" You'll often find that dyslexic-optimized instruction improves outcomes for many students, not just those with dyslexia.

For Parents: The Homework Support Guide

The Prompt

My child is dyslexic and struggling with homework on [specific subject/topic]. The assignment is:

[describe the homework assignment]

My child's strengths include:
- [what they're naturally good at]
- [how they prefer to learn]
- [when they do their best thinking]

Their challenges with this particular assignment:
- [what's frustrating them]
- [where they're getting stuck]

I want to help them succeed WITHOUT just doing the work for them. 

Help me:
1. Understand what the assignment is actually testing (the real learning goal)
2. Find an approach that uses their dyslexic cognitive strengths
3. Break the work into manageable steps that don't overwhelm them
4. Give them tools or strategies they can use independently next time
5. Know when to step in and when to let them work through challenges

Remember: I want to build their confidence and skills, not create dependence on my help.

The Breakdown

Who: Parents of dyslexic children (any age), including parents who are neurotypical and don't fully understand dyslexic thinking

What: Transforms homework battles into opportunities to build on dyslexic cognitive strengths while fostering independence

Where: During homework time, project work, study sessions, test preparation

When:

• When your child is frustrated with traditional homework approaches

• Before starting a complex assignment that you know will challenge them

• When you want to help but don't know how without just giving answers

• When building their confidence and independent learning skills

Why It Works: Most homework is designed for neurotypical sequential processing. This prompt helps parents see the real learning goal behind the assignment so they can help their child reach it using dyslexic-friendly approaches. It emphasizes building skills and independence rather than just completing assignments. Parents get practical strategies they can teach their child to use independently.

How to Use: Be specific about both the assignment and your child's particular strengths and challenges. The more detail you provide, the more tailored AI's suggestions will be. After AI responds, try their approach for 15-20 minutes. If your child starts engaging more positively, you've found an approach that works with their thinking. Save successful strategies for similar assignments.

Pro Tip: Ask your child to help fill in their strengths and preferred learning styles. This gives them ownership and helps them develop metacognitive awareness about how they learn best.

For Professionals: The Project Planning Partner

The Prompt

I'm starting a project: [describe the project and its goals]

I'm dyslexic, which means:
- I think in connections and patterns, not linear task lists
- I see the big picture easily but struggle with sequential planning
- I work better with visual organization than text-based project plans
- I excel at creative problem-solving but need help with administrative details

Help me create a project plan that works WITH my cognitive style:

1. First, show me the overall project as a visual concept map with how all pieces relate
2. Identify the critical path - what absolutely must happen in what order
3. Highlight the creative/strategic work (where I'll excel) vs. administrative tasks (where I need systems)
4. Suggest tools or approaches for managing the administrative overhead without it draining my energy
5. Build in checkpoints based on pattern completion, not just dates
6. Help me identify where AI can handle routine tasks so I focus on high-value thinking

Make this a living planning system, not a rigid timeline I'll struggle to follow.

The Breakdown

Who: Dyslexic professionals managing projects, entrepreneurs, freelancers, team leads

What: Creates project planning systems that enhance dyslexic pattern recognition and strategic thinking while managing necessary details

Where: Project kickoffs, strategic planning, business development, client work

When:

• Starting any new project with multiple moving parts

• When traditional project management tools feel overwhelming

• When you keep missing administrative details despite seeing the big picture clearly

• When building systems that work with your thinking long-term

Why It Works: Traditional project management assumes sequential, detailed planning that exhausts dyslexic cognitive resources. This prompt creates spatial/pattern-based planning that plays to dyslexic strengths while explicitly addressing detail management challenges. It separates strategic thinking (where you excel) from administrative overhead (where you need support). The "pattern completion" checkpoints match how dyslexic minds naturally track progress.

How to Use: Replace the project description with your specific situation. Be honest about your strengths and challenges. AI will create a visual framework you can refer to instead of fighting with linear task lists. Use the creative/administrative separation to identify where to apply your energy versus where to use AI assistance or delegation.

Pro Tip: Save the visual concept map and refer to it daily. Your pattern recognition will track project relationships naturally when you can see spatial organization rather than reading task lists.

For Students: The Essay Organization Architect

The Prompt

I need to write an essay on [topic]. The assignment requirements are:
- [length requirement]
- [key points that must be covered]
- [due date/timeline]

I'm dyslexic, which means:
- I have great ideas but struggle organizing them linearly
- I think in connections and relationships between concepts
- Traditional outlines don't match how my brain works
- I write better when I can see the whole structure spatially

I have these ideas so far:
[list your initial thoughts, even if they seem scattered]

Help me by:
1. Taking my scattered ideas and showing me the patterns and connections between them
2. Creating a visual essay map (not a traditional outline) that shows how ideas flow and relate
3. Suggesting a thesis statement that captures the patterns I'm seeing
4. Organizing my ideas into sections based on relationship clusters, not just topic order
5. Identifying what additional ideas or examples would strengthen the pattern
6. Giving me a starting point that feels natural, not forced

Remember: I need structure that works WITH pattern-based thinking, not against it.

The Breakdown

Who: Dyslexic students (high school through college) working on essays, research papers, or long-form writing

What: Transforms essay writing from fighting linear outlines to organizing pattern-based thinking into coherent structure

Where: Essay assignments, research papers, college application essays, thesis writing

When:

• When you have ideas but can't figure out how to organize them

• When traditional outlines make your thinking feel more scattered, not less

• Before starting to write when you need structure that makes sense to your brain

• When you know what you want to say but can't find the right order

Why It Works: Traditional outlines impose linear structure before dyslexic minds have seen the overall pattern. This prompt starts with your scattered ideas and helps identify the natural connections and relationships. The "visual essay map" leverages spatial reasoning strengths. Organizing by "relationship clusters" matches how dyslexic minds naturally group information. This creates structure without killing creativity.

How to Use: Dump all your ideas into the prompt, even if they seem disorganized. Don't try to organize them first - that's what AI will help with. After AI shows you the pattern map, you can see the essay structure spatially rather than as a list. Write your essay by following the visual relationships, not a traditional outline order.

Pro Tip: Keep AI's visual map visible while writing. When you get stuck, look at the spatial relationships rather than trying to remember what comes "next" in linear order.

For Coaches/Consultants: The Client Insight Mapper

The Prompt

I'm working with a client on [type of coaching/consulting work]. Here's the situation:

Client background:
- [their role/situation]
- [what they're trying to accomplish]
- [challenges they're facing]

What I've observed so far:
- [patterns you're noticing]
- [concerns they've expressed]
- [their strengths and gaps]

I'm dyslexic, which means I naturally see patterns and connections others miss. But I need help organizing these insights so I can:
1. Present them clearly to my neurotypical client
2. Connect observations into actionable recommendations
3. Anticipate how different elements interact
4. Show the client what I'm seeing in a way they can understand

Help me by:
1. Mapping the patterns I'm seeing into a clear visual framework
2. Identifying the core issue underneath surface symptoms
3. Showing how different challenges connect (what's related vs. separate)
4. Suggesting 2-3 strategic recommendations based on these patterns
5. Creating a way to present this that makes my pattern recognition clear and valuable

I want the client to see my dyslexic pattern recognition as a strategic advantage, not just intuition they can't verify.

The Breakdown

Who: Dyslexic coaches, consultants, advisors, therapists working with clients

What: Converts dyslexic pattern recognition into structured insights and recommendations that neurotypical clients can understand and act on

Where: Client sessions, strategy development, consulting engagements, coaching programs

When:

• When you see patterns in client situations but struggle articulating them clearly

• Before presenting recommendations to clients

• When you need to show your thinking process, not just conclusions

• When building credibility around your pattern recognition strengths

Why It Works: Dyslexic coaches often see connections and patterns neurotypical clients miss. But if you can't articulate what you're seeing, clients dismiss it as "gut feeling" rather than strategic insight. This prompt helps organize your pattern recognition into frameworks clients can understand and verify. It positions dyslexic thinking as analytical strength, not just intuition.

How to Use: Document your observations even if they seem disconnected. AI will help identify the underlying patterns connecting them. Use the visual framework AI creates when presenting to clients - this shows your analytical process while leveraging your pattern recognition advantage. Save successful frameworks for similar client situations.

Pro Tip: After presenting the pattern map to clients, ask "What patterns are you seeing that I might have missed?" This invites collaboration while demonstrating your systematic approach to pattern analysis.

For Parents: The Strengths Discovery Guide

The Prompt

My child is dyslexic and I want to help them understand their cognitive strengths, not just work around challenges.

My child:
- Age: [age]
- What they naturally love doing: [interests/activities]
- Where they seem to excel: [strengths I've noticed]
- What frustrates them at school: [specific challenges]
- How they approach problems: [thinking style I've observed]

I want to have a conversation with them about dyslexic thinking as a different cognitive style with specific advantages, not a disability.

Help me:
1. Identify the dyslexic cognitive strengths I'm seeing in their natural behaviors
2. Find examples of successful dyslexic people in fields they're interested in
3. Create age-appropriate language to explain dyslexic thinking as valuable difference
4. Suggest activities that build on their dyslexic strengths
5. Develop responses to when they say "I'm not good at this" or "My brain doesn't work right"

I want them to see dyslexia as a different operating system with advantages, not a broken version of "normal."

The Breakdown

Who: Parents of dyslexic children who want to build confidence and strength-based identity

What: Helps parents reframe dyslexia from deficit to cognitive advantage through age-appropriate conversations and examples

Where: Family conversations, confidence-building discussions, identity development, career exploration

When:

• When your child is struggling with self-esteem about school challenges

• During conversations about "why learning is hard for me"

• When exploring interests and potential career paths

• Building positive dyslexic identity and self-advocacy skills

Why It Works: Most dyslexic children internalize deficit narratives from struggling in traditional school systems. This prompt helps parents identify and name the cognitive strengths their child already demonstrates. Age-appropriate language and successful role models make dyslexia feel like advantage rather than limitation. Focusing on what works builds confidence that transfers to areas of challenge.

How to Use: Be specific about what you've observed in your child's natural behaviors and interests. AI will help you see the dyslexic cognitive patterns in activities your child already loves. Use this conversation to build positive identity formation around dyslexic thinking. Return to these strengths when your child faces challenges - remind them of their cognitive advantages.

Pro Tip: Let your child help identify their strengths. Ask "When do you feel really good at something?" and "What do you find easy that other kids think is hard?" This builds metacognitive awareness of their cognitive advantages.

How to Use This Prompt Library

Immediate Use: Copy any prompt, replace the bracketed sections with your specific situation, paste into your preferred AI (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.), and get tailored results.

Adaptation: These prompts are frameworks, not rigid scripts. Add details about your specific cognitive patterns. Change the questions to match what you need most. Combine elements from multiple prompts.

Building Your Own: Notice the pattern in these prompts:

1. Context about dyslexic cognitive patterns

2. Specific situation and goals

3. Clear requests for pattern-based, visual, or spatial approaches

4. Emphasis on understanding relationships, not just information

5. Request for actionable, practical formats

Use this structure to create prompts for situations not covered here.

Sharing: If you adapt these prompts and find approaches that work particularly well, document what you changed and why. This builds collective knowledge about what works for dyslexic AI collaboration.

Why These Prompts Work Differently

Traditional AI prompts assume:

• Linear, sequential thinking

• Preference for detailed lists and steps

• Comfortable with dense text

• Process information left-to-right, top-to-bottom

These prompts assume:

• Pattern recognition across domains

• Preference for visual/spatial organization

• Overwhelm from dense text, strength in relationships

• Process through connections and big-picture synthesis

The difference matters. Dyslexic minds using neurotypical prompts work harder than necessary. These prompts work with your natural cognitive strengths.

Your Contribution Matters

We're building a comprehensive database of prompts that work for neurodivergent minds. These eight are just the beginning.

Help us expand this library:

Take our AI Readiness Survey and share how you use AI differently than neurotypical colleagues. Your patterns inform future prompt development.

Test these prompts and document what works. What made them effective? What would you change? Your feedback refines the frameworks.

Share prompts you've developed that work with dyslexic thinking. We'll test them, refine them, and add them to the growing library.

Connect us with educators, professionals, or researchers interested in neurodivergent AI collaboration. Collective knowledge builds better tools.

[Take the 8-Minute Survey →]

Have a Great Weekend!

These prompts represent two years of experimentation with what works for dyslexic minds using AI. They're not theoretical - they're practical frameworks I and others have tested and refined.

Start with whichever prompt matches your immediate need. Copy it. Adjust it. Use it. See what happens.

Then try another. And another. Build a personal library of approaches that work with your specific cognitive pattern.

The goal isn't to use AI more. It's to use AI better - in ways that enhance your natural dyslexic advantages rather than forcing you into neurotypical processing patterns.

These eight prompts are the beginning of a comprehensive database. Your usage, feedback, and contributions help us build something that serves the entire neurodivergent community.

Use them. Share what works. Help us expand this library.

— Matt Ivey, Founder · LM Lab AI

Take Our AI Readiness Survey

Your AI usage patterns inform prompt development for neurodivergent minds.

[8-Minute Survey - Get Your Personalized Results →]

TL;DR - Too Long; Didn't Read For Fellow Skimmers: The Essential Points

📚 8 Copy-Paste Prompts: Ready-to-use frameworks for students, professionals, educators, and parents

🧠 Designed for Dyslexic Thinking: Each prompt leverages pattern recognition, spatial processing, and big-picture synthesis

🎯 Practical Applications: Meeting prep, homework support, project planning, essay writing, client work, strengths discovery

💡 Why They Work: Start with context about dyslexic cognitive patterns, request visual/spatial organization, focus on relationships over sequences

🔧 Fully Adaptable: Use as-is or modify for your specific situations and cognitive preferences

📊 Survey Reminder: Your usage patterns help us build better prompts for the neurodivergent community

Next: Try one prompt this week. Document what works. Share your results.