Dyslexia Help for Kids: Reading, Spelling & Handwriting — Boost Your Child's Skills & Confidence with Days with Dyslexia

Dyslexia Advocacy for Parents, Part 1: Gathering Data and Documenting Concerns The episode launches a new advocacy-focused mini series focused what parents can do when schools say a child’s reading and spelling are “fine" even when a parent knows it's not. Michelle explains why the process is frustrating, how parents can move it forward without waiting on the school, and why school staff...

In part five of a series on choosing dyslexia interventions, Michelle reviews differences between meaning-first (to avoid), letters-first programs (e.g., Orton-Gillingham, Barton, Wilson),  and sounds-first instruction, then focuses on teaching high-frequency/sight words. Letters-first approaches often have students memorize “red” or irregular word letter strings by repeating letter names, while s...

In part four of a series on choosing effective dyslexia interventions, Michelle reviews three approaches (meaning-first/whole literacy, which they advise avoiding, and two structured literacy approaches: letters-first/Orton-Gillingham “print to speech” and sounds-first “speech to print”).  She emphasizes that doing a single sound-awareness lesson before moving to letters is not the same as a true...

Part three of a series on choosing effective dyslexia interventions compares “letters first” (print-to-speech, often Orton-Gillingham) and “sounds first” (speech-to-print/linguistic phonetics) approaches, focusing on the job of letters. The speaker argues against meaning-first methods (whole language/balanced literacy) and explains that letters-first teaching treats letters as the units that make...

In part two of a five-part Days With Dyslexia series on choosing the right dyslexia intervention, the host explains why syllable instruction matters and contrasts letters-first versus sounds-first structured literacy approaches. A syllable is described as the “beat” in a word, and each syllable has its own vowel sound; research supports teaching syllable awareness but not memorizing multiple sylla...

This Days With Dyslexia podcast launches a five-part series on choosing effective dyslexia intervention without wasting time or money, based on the host’s experience as a parent and as a speech language pathologist who specializes in literacy. The episode explains that research supports structured literacy: explicit, systematic, multimodal instruction that integrates sounds, letters/letter pattern...

Effective Strategies for Teaching Sight Words- with data! In this episode of the Days With Dyslexia podcast, Michelle discusses the importance of teaching sight words by integrating sounds, letters, and meanings. The presentation, originally prepared for a state convention for speech-language pathologists, emphasizes that merely memorizing sight words is not effective for children with learning di...

From Childhood Struggles to Adult Success - An Interview with Scott Smith In this episode of the Days With Dyslexia podcast, the host conducts her first interview with Scott Smith, an adult who has dyslexia. Scott shares his early experiences with dyslexia, the challenges he faced in school, and the innovative ways he adapted to manage and eventually find success as an adult. When bedtime reading...

Teaching Kids with Dyslexia The Difference Between Letters and Sounds In this episode of Days With Dyslexia, host Michelle Morgan shares practical strategies for helping children differentiate between letters and sounds. Michelle explains how to use simple tools to create a visual and interactive learning experience. She emphasizes the importance of understanding this difference to enhance reading...

The Importance of Teaching Sounds and Letter Names in Dyslexia In this episode of 'Today's with Dyslexia,' Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist, explores the essential difference between letter names and sounds in language learning. She explains why understanding this difference is particularly crucial for children with dyslexia. Michelle also discusses the triple word for...

Breaking Down the New 2025 Definition of Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know In this episode of 'Days with Dyslexia,' host Michelle Morgan, a speech language pathologist and mother of a dyslexic child, delves into the newly released 2025 definition of dyslexia from the International Dyslexia Association. Michelle reads the extensive definition, breaks down complex terms, and explains the...

In this episode of Days with Dyslexia, host Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist, discusses the differences between speech-to-print (sounds first) and print-to-speech (print first) literacy instruction. She explains why traditional Orton-Gillingham methods may not be the most effective for all children, particularly those with dyslexia. Michelle outlines five key differences between a so...

Understanding and Fixing Letter Reversals in Children with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia In this episode of 'Days with Dyslexia,' host Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist and mother to a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, delves into the issue of letter reversals in young learners. She explains when letter reversals are developmentally normal, why they happen, and how to add...

Two Small Changes for Helping Children with Dyslexia: Reading and Spelling Strategies In this episode of Days with Dyslexia , speech-language pathologist Michelle Morgan shares two simple, science-backed strategies parents can use at home to strengthen reading and spelling for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADHD.  The first strategy focuses on teaching 'smooth and stretchy speech&apos...

Welcome to the Days with Dyslexia podcast! I’m Michelle Morgan—speech-language pathologist, mom of three, and parent to a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. When I first searched for help for my daughter, I quickly realized how few professionals truly understand dyslexia. That journey led me to dig deep into the research, train extensively, and eventually open a private practice serving ki...