The Dyslexia Duo: Megan Pinchbeck on Dyslexia on Demand, CALT Training, and the Emotional Experience of Dyslexia

 

The Dyslexia Duo (Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth) interview Megan Pinchbeck, a Certified Academic Language Therapist and founder of Dyslexia on Demand, about her path from special education into CALT training at Scottish Rite in Austin and how intensive training and practitioner rigor affect student outcomes. Megan emphasizes widespread confusion about dyslexia services nationwide, differences among states in identification requirements, and the need for better legislation implementation, educator training, and systemic checks and balances. She explains Dyslexia on Demand’s pre-COVID origins to expand access for rural families, its virtual therapy model, the importance of therapist-student fit and relationship building, and its reach (over 1,000 served; currently about 200 across about half of U.S. states, plus some abroad). She discusses her “Don’t Call On Me” podcast’s focus on shared dyslexia stories and emotional impact, and previews webinars on simulations, teachers, SEL, accommodations, and “no dumb questions.”

 

00:00 Welcome Dyslexia Duo

00:42 Meet Megan Pinchbeck

01:33 Path to Dyslexia Therapy

04:10 Inside CALT Training

06:42 Who Counts as Certified

08:49 Emotional Side of Dyslexia

13:34 What Schools Get Wrong

17:58 Medical Diagnosis Confusion

22:09 Building Dyslexia on Demand

25:58 Making Virtual Therapy Work

31:54 Program Reach and Growth

32:53 Starting the Podcast

35:12 Emotional Side of Dyslexia

36:31 Generational Dyslexia Stories

38:48 Building Confidence in Kids

39:32 Spreading Awareness and Policy

42:57 School Funding Front Lines

44:40 First Steps for Parents

48:20 Adults as Dyslexia Mentors

53:10 Webinars and Core Basics

55:55 Resources and Where to Find

57:50 Lightning Round

01:02:52 Final Thanks and Sign Off