Dyslexia, Being Neuro-Spicy, and Why I Use Every Tool Available

Every so often, someone points out that I use spell check, grammar tools, or artificial intelligence when I write social media posts, emails, letters, or blog articles.

My response is simple: of course I do.

I have dyslexia. I am also fairly certain that I fall somewhere on the neurodivergent spectrum, although I have never pursued a formal diagnosis. What that means in practical terms is that the ideas in my head often move much faster than my fingers can type them, and sometimes the words that appear on the screen are not the words I intended to write.

I can see the argument. I can explain the issue. I can have the conversation. But getting those thoughts from my brain onto paper in a way that other people can easily understand has never been effortless.

For years, people with dyslexia have used dictionaries, thesauruses, editors, proofreaders, and spell checkers. Nobody accuses a person of cheating because they use glasses to read a document more clearly. Nobody tells someone with hearing loss that they should avoid hearing aids because "real communication" means struggling through the conversation.

Technology has always been an accessibility tool.

Artificial intelligence is simply the newest tool in that toolbox.

When I write something, I usually start with my own words. Sometimes it is a rough draft. Sometimes it is little more than bullet points, fragmented thoughts, or a stream of consciousness that only makes sense to me. Then I use spell checkers, grammar tools, and AI to help organize those thoughts, fix errors, improve readability, and ensure that what appears on the page is actually what I intended to say.

The ideas are still mine.

The experiences are still mine.

The opinions are still mine.

The advocacy is still mine.

The technology simply helps me communicate more effectively.

In many ways, using these tools allows people to judge my ideas rather than my spelling.

Without them, readers might become distracted by grammatical errors, misplaced words, missing punctuation, or sentences that made perfect sense in my head but somehow got scrambled on their way to the keyboard.

That is not a reflection of intelligence. It is simply how some brains process language.

The reality is that many people use assistance every day. Some use calculators. Some use GPS navigation. Some use screen readers. Some use voice-to-text software. Some use AI.

The goal is not to prove that we can do everything the hard way.

The goal is to communicate, learn, work, and contribute.

I have spent years advocating for veterans, military families, caregivers, and surviving spouses. I have written letters to elected officials, policy recommendations, public comments, social media posts, and blog articles. If using available technology helps me communicate more clearly and reach more people, then I will continue to use it.

I am not embarrassed by that.

In fact, I think more people should understand that accessibility tools are not shortcuts. They are equalizers.

For those of us with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or any number of other neuro-spicy traits, these tools can be the difference between remaining silent and having a voice.

I choose to have a voice.

And I will continue using every legitimate resource available to make sure that voice is heard.