In the News: Phil Hanley

Phil Hanley is a Canadian comedian who was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 10 and went on to build a career out of the very communication he once found hardest. Many audiences laugh at his quick wit without ever knowing the personal journey behind it — a journey that started with reading and writing that never came easily, and a boy who leaned into humor to find connection and a sense of control.

Who is Phil Hanley?

Phil Hanley is a Canadian comedian known for entertaining audiences with quick wit and a relaxed, confident stage presence. A stand-up comedian is a performer who writes and delivers their own material live to an audience. What many people don’t realize when they’re laughing is that Hanley’s path to the microphone began with a dyslexia diagnosis at age 10 — an early challenge that shaped how he saw the world and eventually helped him find his voice in comedy.

For parents, his story is a useful reminder that the traits that make school hard are not the whole picture of a child. Dyslexia is a difference in how the brain processes written language, not a measure of intelligence or potential. If you’re new to all of this, you may find our overview of what dyslexia is a helpful starting point.

How did dyslexia shape his childhood?

As a child, Hanley struggled in school. Reading and writing never came easily, and he often felt frustrated and out of place in traditional classrooms. Instead of giving up, he leaned into humor. He discovered that making others laugh gave him a sense of connection and control — comedy became his way of communicating ideas and emotions that were hard to express on paper.

That pattern is common among dyslexic kids. When one path to expression feels blocked, many children find another: drawing, storytelling, building, performing. Those alternate strengths are real and worth protecting. Watching for them — and naming them out loud — can do a lot for a child who is otherwise getting the message that they’re “behind.” Our piece on the strengths of dyslexia looks at how to spot and nurture them.

• Reading and writing did not come easily for Hanley in school.
• He often felt frustrated and out of place in a traditional classroom.
• He leaned into humor and found that making others laugh gave him connection and control.
• Comedy became a way to express ideas that were hard to put on paper.

What is his memoir Spellbound about?

In March 2025, Hanley released his memoir, Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith. In it, he shares his journey from struggling student to celebrated performer. He describes the setbacks he faced, but he also highlights the strengths that dyslexia brought into his life. His story shows how challenges can push a person toward unexpected talents and passions.

Memoirs like Hanley’s matter because they give dyslexic kids something that data and diagnoses can’t: a face and a life that worked out. Reading about adults who struggled in school and still found their footing can reshape how a child sees their own future. If you’re building a shelf of titles like this, our roundup of dyslexia books for parents gathers more reading worth your time.

How does he advocate for learning differences?

Hanley’s work doesn’t stop at the microphone. He actively supports people with learning differences and works with groups including Eye to Eye, Dyslexia Canada, and Choose Your Own ADDventure. Through public speaking and outreach, he helps others feel seen and understood, and he encourages young people to embrace their strengths and never feel ashamed of learning differently.

• Eye to Eye — one of the organizations Hanley works with to support people with learning differences.
• Dyslexia Canada — a group focused on the dyslexia community that he supports.
• Choose Your Own ADDventure — another organization he partners with in his advocacy.

That message — embrace your strengths, never feel ashamed of learning differently — is exactly what so many kids need to hear from someone who has lived it. It pairs well with the day-to-day work of helping a child name their own experience without shame, which we cover in talking about dyslexia with your child.

What can parents take from his story?

At Apricot Tree Academy, we celebrate Phil Hanley’s honesty and advocacy. His story is a reminder that every learner matters and that not all students fit into one mold. When we recognize and support different learning styles, we create more inclusive spaces for everyone. Hanley shows that differences can become strengths — and sometimes even superpowers.

The practical takeaway for parents is twofold. First, protect your child’s confidence and look hard for the strengths that school may overlook. Second, give them the structured, evidence-based reading instruction that actually builds the skills dyslexia makes harder. Our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum uses a multisensory, structured literacy approach for exactly that, and the companion workbook on Amazon gives you a guided, no-experience-needed way to start at home. Confidence and skill grow together — Hanley’s story is proof of what becomes possible when both are nurtured.