Right to Read

Megan Hunemuller is a mom of four who dove into dyslexia research after recognizing multiple signs of the dyslexia in her then six-year-old daughter. She learned all she could about special education and how to provide appropriate intervention in the academic setting so that her daughter could access the general education curriculum like her peers. Over the past seven years, Megan has focused on b...

Evan Bernheim is the inspiration behind Right to Read Advocacy! The organization’s founder Jennifer Bernheim (mom to Evan) launched Right to Read Advocacy to educate and empower other families as they navigate the dyslexia diagnosis. Evan currently attends a specialized school for students with language-based learning disabilities. He’s in his third year of receiving intensive Orton-Gillingham bas...

Dr. Gillian Donovan is a clinical psychologist licensed in Connecticut and New York. She specializes in treating mood and anxiety disorders in adolescents and adults. Dr. Donovan works within a multi-theoretical framework to offer the most effective treatments for her patients, with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In this episode, Dr. Donovan discusses supporting an anxious child who...

Christine Lai is the cofounder and Executive Director of the Special Education Legal Fund, Inc (S.E.L.F.). S.E.L.F. was founded in 2018 by parents for parents in need with children in the special education system who require legal assistance to secure a free and appropriate public education for their child. In this episode, Christine shares what inspired her to launch SELF, how her grantmaking org...

Allison Meyerson is acutely aware that parents need professional support when navigating the inner workings of school districts, which inspired her to become an educational advocate. She is a retired teacher with over thirty years’ experience with Clarkstown Central School District in Rockland County, NY. Since 2005, she has been a Literacy Specialist providing intensive interventions to students...

Since November 2022, Dr. Melissa K. Wlodarczyk Hickey has been the Director of The Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success at the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). She joined the CSDE in January 2016 as the Reading/Literacy Director and supervisor of the Academic Office. She has been an educator in Connecticut for over 20 years with a wide range of experiences such as dist...

Nicholas Solter is the father of a dyslexic teen, a dyslexia advocate, and a software engineer. In 2022, he and his wife Sonja, launched the podcast Dyslexia Journey: Support Your Kid . Since then, they have hosted almost 100 episodes to help parents. While our dyslexic kids are growing and facing new challenges that their learning differences may bring, we as parents are also challenged in how to...

Catherine Scholl brings a unique and personal perspective to educational advocacy, which isrooted in her extensive experience with special education. In addition to being a non-attorney special education advocate, Catherine is a former special education teacher and parent to children with learning disabilities. She is also CERI/IDA Certified and holds an Orton Gillingham Teacher Graduate Certifica...

Attorney Laura Heneghan is a special education attorney dedicated to a collaborating with families, school administrators, and staff to bring about positive outcomes. As a parent of a child with disabilities, Laura leverages her personal insight and student-centered approach to ensure that children and adolescents who are struggling with disabilities of their own receive the appropriate services a...

This episode brings together the insights of three non-attorney special education advocates: Robin Beauchemin, Megan Hunemuller, and Catherine Scholl, all of whom are members of Right to Read Advocacy. Their personal experience of supporting their dyslexic children propelled each of them to pursue professional advocacy. Learn what they know now as advocates that they wish they had a better underst...

Jake Sussman, Westport Native and Founder of Superpower Mentors, developed one of the world's most effective online mentoring programs designed to empower youth and young adults with learning differences. In this episode, Jake recalls the challenges of being a student with hidden learning disabilities and how his journey, although painful at times, fueled him to launch an organization that would p...

Sklar Certified Executive Function Coach Annika Ahlström discusses executive functioning skills and offers three actionable tips to support executive functioning skills for students with learning disabilities and their families. In her coaching, she teaches families how to embrace their brain differences so all members can thrive.    Key Takeaways: • Executive functions are those cognitive skills...