Literacy Untangled Podcast

If you are unsure about what to believe about dyslexia and are looking for factual information, this episode is for you.  In honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, this is the first part in a two-part series debunking the top 10 dyslexia myths. In this episode, we cover dyslexia myth #10–6. I provide facts, action steps, and situational examples in response to the first five dyslexia myths. Let’s...

If you’ve tried to get your child tested for dyslexia, but ran into barriers because they don’t attend public school, this episode is for you.    Child Find is a resource that’s part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). It requires each state to develop a statewide system for identifying, locating, and evaluating all children from birth to 21 years old w...

Even though I don’t believe in (most) homework assignments, it’s a staple in traditional school systems that isn't going away anytime soon. However, there are strategies to make it less overwhelming for students and parents.   Expanding on step 6 of my “ 8 Steps for Starting the School Year on the Right Foot ” guide, this episode is all about how to create an effective homework routine f...

Many students with dyslexia experience an added layer of anxiety as they anticipate the start of a new school year. Between different routines, coursework, and teachers, it’s common for dyslexic students to feel overwhelmed when the summer starts to wind down. Because of that, I’ve created an eight step plan to set students and parents up for success during the new school year. In this episode, I...

Traveling with a dyslexic child has its own unique set of challenges. You may have found it difficult to navigate these challenges and find ways to create an easier future travel experience. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the challenges that may arise, like managing public transportation, timetables, time management, and organizational skills. I’m also providing tips to help set your child u...

Wherever you are on your journey with dyslexia, you may have come across terms like phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics. In this episode, I’m breaking down the skills within each term, and how each concept relates to an overall understanding of language in relation to dyslexia.  Phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics are similar to nesting dolls...

I recently took a 3-day Writing Revolution training course, and in this episode, I’m sharing key takeaways and unpacking how this methodology can be applied to writing instruction for students with (and without) dyslexia.  When I discovered that 75% of third and fourth grade teachers don't feel prepared to teach writing, I can’t say I was surprised. In my teaching program, we mainly focused o...

The 504 Plan and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) were both created under federal laws and provide accommodations and support to students with disabilities at no cost to the family. They share the same end goal, but they differ in the level of intervention and individualization offered.  The purpose of a 504 Plan is to provide a blueprint for how the school will provide accommodations...

Research has shown that many children, especially dyslexic children, will lose reading skills over the summer without some support. If your child has been working hard with a dyslexia therapist after school all year and is doing really well, you need to think about what the fall will look like for your child based on the decisions you make for them in the summer.   In this episode, I outline...

It's estimated that up to 33% of the population has an issue with handwriting. This can often be a case of dysgraphia, which many students with dyslexia also have, and is often overlooked. Dysgraphia is more than a challenge with fine motor skills when writing. It can also be a deficit in written expression, writing mechanics, and the ability to organize thoughts and write cohesive paragraphs. Dep...

While retention can happen anytime during your child's school year, it usually happens at the end of the third grade. The reason? Many states have legislation t hat requires schools to consider retaining a student if they don't pass a third-grade reading assessment. The really frustrating thing about these policies is that one test score doesn't demonstrate your child's overall ability to show the...

For most students, standardized testing means disrupted schedules, increased anxiety, and the pressure to perform. For a student with dyslexia or a neurodivergent brain, that experience is often amplified. In this episode, I expand on why these standardized tests exist and how to support your child through the process.  Your child’s standardized test score tells you where they fall on a bell...

Multisensory instruction is often listed as a key component in many reading approaches and curriculums. In this episode, we are diving into what multisensory techniques are and how they can be helpful for a dyslexic student learning to read.   We can’t talk about multisensory instruction without looking back on the influential work of educational psychologist Grace Fernald. In the 1920s, she...

There is a debate in the Structured Literacy world about whether Print-to-speech or Speech-to-print is the more effective approach. Both approaches rely on phonics - matching sounds to their corresponding letter/letter patterns. They differ in that Print-to-speech starts with a letter/letter pattern and matches it to an oral sound. Speech-to-print uses the student's prior oral language skills and...

The Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach is known as the "Gold Standard" for teaching dyslexics how to read and write. Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Samuel Orton and gifted educator and psychologist , Anna Gillingham, developed a multi-sensory approach to improve reading and writing skills in children with dyslexia. They developed a set of key principles for practitioners to work from. Those guiding principles...

The dyslexic brain and non-dyslexic brain are not the same. The dyslexic brain not only processes language differently, it's also structurally different. For instance, when it comes to reading and writing, dyslexic brains utilize both sides of their brain unlike non-dyslexic readers who only use the left side of their brain . Dyslexic brains are also structurally different; they have an extra laye...

Once you receive your child’s dyslexia diagnosis, you might feel lost about how to share the news with them. In my experience, one of the most supportive things that you can do is have a discussion about it and give an overview of what it means for them. You have an opportunity to reduce the shame and stigma that so many people with different learning abilities feel.    It’s also highly...

Dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a lot of overlap. It can be difficult to tell if your child is struggling because of dyslexia or ADHD. In this episode, I highlight the signs and symptoms of ADHD and look at the common threads and differences between the two disorders.    It's estimated that 30% of students with dyslexia also have ADHD, but there’s no evi...

Traditionally, the majority of the annual IEP meetings take place between mid-January through mid-March. In this episode, I share 12 questions that you want to make sure you cover during these meetings and give examples of what good answers should include.    I explain what a multi-sensory, structured literacy approach is and why you want to ensure that your service provider is well-vers...

One of the most common questions I hear from parents after they hire a specialist is, how long will it take to get my child up to grade level? Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to give a clear, guaranteed timeline of your child’s progress.   In this episode, I explore the different factors that go into your child’s success with an interventionist. Your child’s age, individual needs, and t...

Many students with dyslexia can benefit from having extra support outside of their individualized learning plan. If you’re unhappy with the quality or quantity of services your child is receiving at school, it might be time to look into a private dyslexia instructor.    In this episode, I explain step-by-step how to connect with the right service provider for your child. I break down wha...

In this episode, we explore how your child's evaluation informs the structure of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the educational decisions you make for them. I explain the two requirements that must be met for your child to qualify for an IEP, share examples of learning goals and services, and highlight some red flags that you should look out for during these conversations. ...

One of the most common misconceptions about dyslexia is that everyone who is diagnosed with it experiences the same challenges. Because dyslexia is a spectrum disorder, no two dyslexics are exactly the same. On today’s episode, I break down the three main types of dyslexia, what characterizes them, and why it’s so important to understand what type of dyslexia your child has.    The three...

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and I’m celebrating by highlighting the successful dyslexics in my life and those around us. One of the biggest inspirations behind my career and this podcast has been my dad, Arne Sjursen. He was diagnosed with dyslexia almost two decades ago at the age of 42 and describes the mix of emotions that he felt when he found out.   My dad was a student in New Y...

Dyslexia diagnostic evaluations are individually administered and look specifically for your child's strengths and weaknesses, and how greatly their skills differ from their peers. On today’s episode, I break down exactly what a good evaluation should include, the difference between a screening and diagnostic evaluation, and what skills the assessments look at. I also explain the information that...