I have just returned from a wonderful 3 day jeep trip. I just love riding out into nature. I used a topology map to help me navigate in the terrain. The topology map includes not only the x-y coordinates of locations of sites, but also displays the terrain altitudes showing the heights of the mountains, valleys etc. However, I must admit that I found it a very big challenge to read the topological map.

The truth is that I find all 3-dimensional map or diagram reading to be quite challenging. This includes financial diagrams that display multi-dimensional correlations, or any multiple-dimensional diagram that displays the correlation of 3 or more dimensions in a single graph.

I often wondered if this limitation has a direct link to my dyslexia (yes , I should mention that I am a “heavy” dyslexic). On the one hand I believe I have a very good visual grasp of problems and their solutions. But on the other hand I often experience a very poor visual memory of written words. I may see the same word a thousand times, but I may still have problems of visualizing the correctly spelled word in my mind.

Any other dyslexics out there experiencing map reading difficulties? Difficulties in dealing with 3-dimensional diagrams?

Any known studies on this subject describing the relationship of people with dyslexia and 3-dimensional map reading limitations?

Should we tell advertisers that they may be missing a big market (“the dyslexic market”) when making use of 3-dimensional marketing graphs