Dyslexia Duo Podcast

Dyslexia Duo: Mary Ann Coulson's Journey Through Advocacy and Education   In this episode of 'The Dyslexia Duo,' hosts Melissa Dean and Aimee  Rodenroth sit down with Mary Ann Coulson, a mother and author who devoted her life to helping her dyslexic son, Adam. Mary Ann shares her family’s journey from initial struggles and misdiagnoses to finding effective education solutions, including the Orton-Gillingham approach and the GOW boarding school. She emphasizes the power of assistive technology and critical independent evaluations. Mary Ann's book, 'Adam's Way,' consolidates decades of resources and experiences aimed at helping parents and educators support dyslexic children. The episode highlights the importance of understanding dyslexia as a learning difference rather than a disability, the emotional aspects of advocacy, and the ultimate success stories that inspire hope and action.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:42 Meet Mary Ann Cuolson 01:08 Mary Ann's Journey with Dyslexia 02:57 The Inspiration Behind 'Adam's Way' 05:14 Understanding Dyslexic Thinking 08:42 Early Diagnosis and Emotional Struggles 10:34 Navigating Educational Challenges 21:12 The Importance of Assistive Technology 27:07 Adam's Success Story 32:40 Empowering Children with Dyslexia 35:30 Proud Moments and Achievements 38:34 Early Challenges and Advocacy 41:49 Navigating School and Family Dynamics 45:15 Guidance for Parents 55:04 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

The Dyslexia Duo: Dr. Tracy White Weeden In this episode of 'The Dyslexia Duo,' hosts Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth sit down with Dr. Tracy White Weeden, the former president and CEO of Neuhaus Education Center and founder of Upstream Education for All.   Dr. Weeden shares her journey and passion for literacy, emphasizing the transformative power of reading and the need for systemic change in education. She highlights the importance of vision, community collaboration, and strategic partnerships in addressing dyslexia and promoting literacy. The conversation explores various strategies for engaging parents, supporting educators, and improving literacy outcomes for all students.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo Podcast 00:44 A Chance Meeting with Dr. Tracy White Weeden 01:35 Dr. Tracy's Journey and Insights on Literacy 03:52 Challenges and Solutions in Dyslexia Education 05:45 The Role of Nonprofits and Community in Literacy 09:04 Innovative Approaches to Literacy and Education 41:21 The Importance of Parental Involvement 48:12 Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Dyslexia Instruction 48:22 The Importance of University Partnerships 49:46 State Departments and Technical Assistance 50:20 Inspiration and Community Engagement 52:01 Relevance in Education 53:52 The Role of Business and Community in Education 56:33 The New Definition of Dyslexia 57:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Dyslexia Advocacy 01:04:44 Upstream Education and Nonprofit Initiatives 01:09:23 Speed Round: Personal Insights and Reflections 01:20:36 Final Thoughts and Farewell   To find out more about Upstream, check out this link: https://www.drtracywhite.com/nonprofit   Check out Dr. White's podcast here!: https://upstreampodcastwithdrtracywhite.podbean.com/   To Connect with Neuhaus, click this link: https://neuhaus.org/    

Dyslexia Duo: Insights with Dr. Nancy Mather   In this episode of The Dyslexia Duo, hosts Aimee Rodenroth and Melissa Dean sit down with renowned expert Dr. Nancy Mather to discuss dyslexia, its identification, and its impact on learners. Dr. Mather provides an in-depth look at the importance of early intervention, the development of dyslexia assessment tools, and the multi-faceted nature of dyslexia that often includes comorbid conditions like ADHD and developmental language disorders. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for parents and educators, the significance of proper accommodations, and the evolving understanding and acknowledgment of dyslexia in educational systems. Essential for anyone involved in dyslexia, this episode offers valuable insights and resources aimed at improving the educational experience for those affected.   00:00 Welcome to The Dyslexia Duo 00:55 Introducing Dr. Nancy Mather 01:59 Dr. Mather's Journey into Dyslexia Research 03:43 Essentials of Dyslexia and New Developments 05:34 Comprehensive Dyslexia Assessment 15:11 Understanding Dyslexia and Its Impact 17:04 The History and Heredity of Dyslexia 32:28 Comorbidities and Complications in Dyslexia Evaluation 38:09 Behavioral Impact and Self-Esteem Issues 39:27 The Struggles of Withdrawn Students 39:55 Self-Esteem Issues in Adults with Dyslexia 40:30 Understanding Orthography and Dyslexia 42:01 Challenges in Orthographic Mapping 47:16 Effective Spelling Strategies for Dyslexic Students 54:00 Dyslexia and IDEA Eligibility 01:01:14 Supporting Dyslexic Students at Home 01:04:28 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Dyslexia Duo: An Interview with Karen Avrit   In this episode of the Dyslexia Duo podcast, hosts Aimee and Melissa sit down with Karen Avrit, the Director of Dyslexia Education at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas. With over 30 years of experience and the author of numerous curricula, including the famed 'Take Flight,' Karen shares her journey and insights into the world of dyslexia education. She discusses her career transitions, the development of various teaching methods and materials like the 'mouth pictures,' and the impactful changes she has witnessed in dyslexia remediation. The conversation touches on the importance of early identification, the complexities of transitioning students between programs, and personal anecdotes that underline the transformative power of dedicated dyslexia therapy. Aspiring dyslexia therapists and educators are provided with invaluable advice and inspiration to make a significant impact in their fields.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:59 Meet Karen Avrit: A Dyslexia Expert 01:56 Karen's Journey in Education 05:00 A Life-Changing Diagnosis 09:33 Memories and Lessons from Scottish Rite 18:03 Identifying Dyslexia at Scottish Rite 23:09 The Evolution of Take Flight Curriculum 26:50 Challenges and Innovations in Dyslexia Education 48:24 The Initial Struggles and Revisions 48:52 Personal Stories and Family Anecdotes 49:51 Sponsor Messages 51:55 Challenges with Mouth Pictures 52:30 Incorporating PA into Take Flight 57:02 Order of Presentation in Dyslexia Curricula 01:01:07 Development of Mouth Pictures 01:08:33 Evolution of Dyslexia Curricula 01:21:58 Impact of Dyslexia Therapy 01:28:44 Retirement Plans and Future Endeavors 01:34:48 Final Thoughts and Wishes for Students

Dyslexia Duo with Dr. Maryanne Wolf   In this episode of 'The Dyslexia Duo' podcast, hosts Aimee and Melissa, accompanied by special guest Dr. Maryanne Wolf, delve deep into understanding dyslexia. They explore Dr. Wolf's extensive background in cognitive neuroscience and her pivotal work on the reading brain, literacy, and dyslexia. Dr. Wolf shares her personal journey from teaching in Hawaii to her research at Harvard, emphasizing the importance of literacy as a basic human right. The conversation touches on the intricacies of deep reading and the dangers of over-reliance on digital media for young readers. Dr. Wolf introduces her ‘RAVE-O’ program, designed to enhance reading fluency and comprehension through multi-component interventions. The episode is rich with insights into the science of reading, the challenges faced by dyslexic individuals, and strategies for effective teaching.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:52 Meet Our Special Guest: Maryanne Wolf 01:28 Maryanne Wolf's Journey into Cognitive Neuroscience 07:09 The Importance of Reading as a Human Right 10:33 Understanding Dyslexia and Its Implications 16:40 The Science of Reading and Teaching Strategies 28:58 Challenges in Dyslexia Education 29:24 Personal Stories and Advocacy 31:43 Dyslexia in the Modern World 35:10 Upcoming Resources and Modules for Teachers 35:52 The Shift to Digital Textbooks 36:37 Print vs Digital: Research Insights 39:34 The Impact of Digital Exposure on Children 43:46 The Importance of Deep Reading 45:13 The Role of Empathy in Reading 46:03 Critical Thinking and Social Media 50:04 Introducing Ravo: A Reading Program 59:04 The Family of Educators 01:00:23 Conclusion and Farewell

Empowering Dyslexia Advocates: Insights from The Dyslexia Duo and Literacy View In this episode of The Dyslexia Duo, hosts Melissa and Aimee sit down with Faith Borkowski and Judy Boksner, co-hosts of The Literacy View podcast. The discussion covers a range of topics, including the myths surrounding dyslexia, effective teaching strategies, the importance of public advocacy, and the role of emotions in driving educational change. Faith and Judy share their personal journeys and professional experiences, highlighting how the science of reading can sometimes be misinterpreted or inadequately applied. They also emphasize the need for continuous professional development for teachers, support for parents, and the evolution of literacy education. The conversation concludes with a look at upcoming episodes featuring renowned literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan and more exciting topics.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:49 Meet the Special Guests: Spice Girls of Literacy 01:06 Personal Journeys in Education 02:46 Challenges and Realizations in Teaching 08:27 The Literacy View Podcast: A New Adventure 16:45 Dyslexia Laws and School Systems 21:05 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practices 34:41 Guest Selection and Podcast Topics 38:30 Parental Involvement and Advocacy 40:18 Sponsorship Messages 42:23 Reflections and Changing Views 43:46 Navigating the Science of Reading 44:38 The Power of Questioning and Continuous Learning 44:57 Influencers and Confusion in the Reading World 47:05 Empowering Educators with Best Practices 47:34 Challenges Teachers Face in Pursuing Knowledge 48:43 The Impact and Reach of Podcasting 50:44 Innovative Approaches to Professional Development 54:04 Supporting Teachers and Students with Dyslexia 56:53 Advice for Parents of Children with Dyslexia 59:05 The Importance of Parental Advocacy 01:00:32 Addressing Literacy Challenges in Schools 01:01:55 The Role of Pediatricians and Community Support 01:07:33 Professional and Personal Milestones 01:14:32 The Lightning Round: Fun and Insights 01:22:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Find out more about the Literacy View with Faith and Judy here: https://theliteracyview.com/

The Duo interview literacy researcher and dyslexia specialist, Dr. Brennan Chandler.  This discussion illuminates the importance of improving reading instruction for all students, especially those who struggle, by moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.  Effective teaching requires a deep understanding of how reading develops, the use of data to guide instruction, and specialized strategies for different age groups. For early learners, the focus is on making the "science of reading" practical for teachers. For adolescents with dyslexia, the emphasis shifts to qualitatively different instruction involving morphology and flexible decoding. Across all groups, though, the core message is that empowering educators with knowledge and data literacy is more effective than simply mandating curricula or increasing instructional time.

Listen again to the duo's Season 1 interview with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, originally airing on 9/21/2024. To find out more about Dr. Hasbrouck and her work, visit her website: https://www.janhasbrouck.com/

The duo interview therapist and author of " Dyslexia and Your Newly Diagnosed Child: Parenting Essentials, Tips, and Strategies to Help Your Child", Rebecca Bush.   Find out more about Rebecca here: https://www.leadchanges.com/about Buy the book! : https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/799487/dyslexia-and-your-newly-diagnosed-child-by-rebecca-bush-calt-ldt/   Other interviews with Rebecca: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqFEIn6Tkgg https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/837107776/author-rebecca-bush-introduces-dyslexia-your-newly-diagnosed-child-from-penguin-random-house-on-september-30-2025/    

The duo interview the author of "Mississippi Rising: How The Last Became First In Literacy Growth", Leta Palmiter.

The duo have a lively interview talking with Tiffany James.   Find out more about Nessy here: https://www.nessy.com/en-gb Order Tiffany's Book- What I Need here: https://a.co/d/hQ10qrH Watch the short film Mical here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Eycme4NFM

The duo interview Dr. Terrie Noland.   Terry Noland website

The duo bid adieu to the 2025 IDA Conference.

The duo interview Kim Day of the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy to discuss the 6 dyslexia modules for the Cox campus.

James Wang and Promit Dey stop by the booth to give an update on their innovative app, ReadGenie.

Carmen Ochoa from SmartPens 4U stops by the booth to discuss the RocketPen Reader.    Carmen offers a 10% discount through the end of November 2025 if you email carmeno@smartpens4u.com

The duo chat with Tammy Kofford and talk about the creative approach to training she takes at the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center

Susan Light of Tumbleweed Publishing stops by and talks about non fiction and fiction read aloud books within a given scope and sequence.

Marissa Bothwell stops by the duo's booth to talk about a very intriguing application for assisting tutors with bookkeeping, invoicing and scheduling.

One of the IDA speakers, Krista Gauthier of the IMSE Foundation stops by for a chat with the duo.