Literacy Untangled Podcast

Feeling overwhelmed by the end of the school year? Think your child's learning struggles can wait until September? Today, I want to talk about why waiting until September could be one of the biggest mistakes that you make for your struggling reader, and give you the confidence to take the critical steps that need to be taken right now.   Don't let the summer lull you into a potentially detrim...

Struggling to figure out the best summer plans for your dyslexic child? Are you torn between the need for academic support to prevent summer slide and the desire for your child to have a fun, relaxing break? What if I told you that you could find a way to do both?  This week, we dive deep into the world of summer options for dyslexic learners, exploring everything from specialized academic pr...

Is your child moving from elementary to middle school?  Is the thought of middle school sending shivers down your spine, especially for your dyslexic child?  Are you wondering how they'll navigate the maze of multiple teachers, lockers, and skyrocketing academic demands, or what I like to refer to as “The Middle School Minefield?  If you're grappling with these questions, you're not...

Is Spring testing season a source of dread for you and your dyslexic child? Do standardized tests feel like they’re designed to highlight their challenges, not their strengths? Today is all about how to help your kids navigate test anxiety during Spring testing season, to avoid the “perfect storm” that these tests often create. In this episode, I share practical steps you can take right away that...

Are you currently navigating the daunting leap from high school to college with a dyslexic student, or looking ahead to prepare for this important transition? Today, I unravel the complexities of college accommodations and reveal how you can ensure your child's documentation meets stringent college standards.  In this episode, you’ll also hear about the shift in the legal requirements from hi...

Ever wondered if the key to unlocking your dyslexic child's potential lies beyond the classroom? Could the rhythmic gait of a horse hold the secret to improved reading and writing skills? Today’s episode is a look at the fascinating world of equine therapy, exploring how it can complement traditional literacy instruction.  As you’ll hear, working with horses can complement traditional reading...

Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your child's teacher? Do miscommunications leave you frustrated and your child's needs unmet? Today, I dive into the crucial art of building strong communication channels with your child's school team.  In this episode, I explore why clear communication is absolutely essential for your child's success and how it can prevent misunderstan...

Last week I covered a 6-week IEP preparation timeline for success , but what happens next when your IEP meeting is over? What if there was a concrete action plan to ensure these vital supports actually happen? In this episode, I break down the critical steps to take in the first 30 days after your IEP meeting. If you are ready to take control of your child's education and ensure their IEP is truly...

IEP season is upon us, and I realize that there’s so much to prepare during this time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and not even sure where to start, then this episode is for you. Today, I look at what you’ll need in order to be ready, and I break it all down week-by-week over a 6-week timeline so you know exactly what to focus on at each specific point of the process. Before we dive in, I want t...

In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked benefits of taking strategic breaks from dyslexia intervention and therapy. Drawing from personal experience with a recent podcast break, I talk about how intentional pauses can lead to better outcomes and renewed motivation.   Topics Covered : - Signs it might be time for an intervention break - How to take a mindful, productive break...

It’s so important that your child receives a comprehensive special education evaluation, but what does that really mean? To help you get a better understanding, I’ve divided the evaluations down into 8 key areas for a better understanding.  The data from these evaluations is used in the written report component, which could be conducted by specialists in different areas. The specialist report...

Dyslexic children often struggle with the social impact of their learning difficulties. In this episode, I discuss the social-emotional effects of dyslexia, how they can impact your child socially, and ways to support the dyslexics in your life through these times. After a dyslexic child receives the instructional and academic help they need, the social-emotional side effects often linger. Some of...

Dyslexia and ADHD run in my family. In this episode, I speak with my sister, Sara Smith, about her personal experiences and insights on dyslexia, the challenges and opportunities present in everyday life, and the effort required to maintain her coping skills.  Sara not only has dyslexia but is also the mother of a dyslexic son and the daughter of a dyslexic father. She speaks about the challe...

In celebration of the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) 75th anniversary, the IDA is dedicating the recent issue of its journal, Perspectives, to structured literacy. In this episode, I speak with Jessica Hamman, the CEO of Glean Education, who authored two articles for the issue and co-edited it alongside Barbara Wilson.    Jessica shares her path to dyslexia advocacy. Her pare...

When people talk about dyslexia and how it affects people, the focus is almost always on improving a child’s learning environment. They rarely talk about how the effects show up in everyday life. In this episode, I look at five unexpected areas in which dyslexia impacts people.  Travel: difficulties include maps, signs, timetables, announcements, managing travel documents, booking, and planni...

Foreign language requirements can be incredibly frustrating for dyslexic students, especially after already spending so long to manage reading and writing in their own language. In this episode, I discuss possibilities for optimally navigating this requirement for dyslexic students.  Dyslexics can absolutely learn a foreign language, but they will encounter the same issues they have in their...

  Some things aren’t as good online as they are “in real life,” but multisensory learning isn’t one of them! In this episode, I share how multisensory learning instruction can be carried out effectively online, specific tools to use, and examples of this in practice.  When I first began my training, I thought multisensory instruction could only be done in person. Fast forward to now, I f...

The difference between “Let’s eat, Grandma” and “Let’s eat Grandma” is substantial! Grammar and punctuation provide clarity and understanding that, without them, make language hard to understand. Today, I’m discussing the importance of teaching dyslexic children grammar and punctuation and three tips for helping your child learn these nuances.   All aspects of language, reading, writing, and...

We’ve all heard that pesky little voice in our heads say something like, “Well, you should’ve done XYZ, but you didn’t.” Many dyslexics experience negative self-talk. I know I have! Reminding ourselves to be graceful in these moments, while sometimes easier said than done, is the only way through it. Today, I’m sharing 7 ways that you can help the dyslexic in your life give themselves grace. ...

If you do a quick Google search, you'll find so many examples of successful adults with dyslexia who have found their passion and are thriving. Some of the famous personalities include director Steven Spielberg, actor Keira Knightley, basketball player Magic Johnson, and author Agatha Christie. In this episode, you'll hear practical advice and strategies for helping your child with dyslexia find t...

IEP season is here and many of us are getting ready to attend our (first) IEP meetings. If you’re a parent of a dyslexic student, you may be curious about what to expect. In this episode, I break down the IEP agenda process and share what to expect before and during an IEP meeting. IEP stands for Individualized Education Program — a personalized learning plan for a child with a qualifying disabili...

Are audiobooks and immersion readers just a new way to cheat? The short answer is no. In this episode, I share information on audiobooks and immersion readers, and the positive impact they can have on reading difficulties for dyslexic students.    Research shows that using audiobooks and immersion readers (also called ear readers) can only help increase your child’s reading skills. Readi...

I recently had a parent contact me who was confused about RtI Tier 2 language used in a meeting. (And rightfully so!) It’s not uncommon to feel like your head is spinning after an education meeting where different acronyms are thrown around. This is what I refer to as “edu speak.” In this episode, I detail the three tiers of RtI and explain how dyslexia intervention fits into the process.  Rt...

December is traditionally known as a month of joy and celebration — ‘tis the season! Join me as I open the doors to my WHY and celebrate the launch of two courses to support the Untangling Literacy community: Discovering Dyslexia and Untangling Dyslexia.  My dad, a dyslexic and driving force and inspiration for Literacy Untangled, always asks me how I can help more people. So, I’ve come up wi...

Continuing with our series on dyslexia myths, I’m debunking the top five things that people get wrong about dyslexia. Contrary to popular belief, people with dyslexia don’t simply confuse numbers and letters. More than 80% of individuals with dyslexia struggle with organization, planning, prioritizing, punctuality, and staying focused. Even so, having dyslexia does not indicate someone’s ability t...