Dyslexia Uncovered

In this heartfelt episode of 'Dyslexia Uncovered,' Tim shares a recent experience with two young girls who, like him, have dyslexia. Through an art project using liquid paint, they explore the concept that "there are no mistakes." As they paint, Tim reflects on the powerful lessons learned from this simple yet profound activity, where the girls express their realities in a way that's beyond words. The story touches on the struggles, the self-criticism, and the moments of self-acceptance that come with living with dyslexia. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful lessons come from unexpected places.

Annals of Dyslexia Special Collection on the Definition of Dyslexia
Read the Intro to the Special Collection here

Theme Song
Sound of Home, composed and performed by Jens Koch and recorded at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. All rights to the recording and song are reserved by Jens Koch. Find him on Spotify.

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For our final Big Sky conversation, we sit down with Dr. Julie Washington from UC Irvine to explore how language, dialect, and poverty intersect in literacy. Dr. Washington brings her wealth of experience as a speech-language pathologist to discuss the unique challenges of identifying reading disabilities in African American children, dialect's role in learning, and how systemic biases impact educational outcomes. It's an eye-opening conversation highlighting the critical need to understand and support students from all linguistic backgrounds.

Julie Washington, Ph.DS., CCC-SLP. Dr. Julie Washington is a professor at the School of Education at the University of California – Irvine (UCI) and a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, she directs the Learning Disabilities Research Innovation Hub, funded by NICHD, and the Dialect, Poverty, and Academic Success Lab at UCI. She also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the language section of the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Dr. Washington's research explores the intersection of literacy, language variation, and poverty, focusing on understanding the role of language dialects in assessing and identifying language and reading disabilities in African American children. She also focuses on improving methods to develop oral language and written language skills in children growing up in poverty. 

Theme Song
Sound of Home, composed and performed by Jens Koch and recorded at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. All rights to the recording and song are reserved by Jens Koch. Find him on Spotify.

Share your thoughts and follow your host on X @OdegardTim

In this episode of Dyslexia Uncovered, we get to hear the next Big Sky Conversation. Dr. Julie Wolter, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Gonzaga University, shares her expertise in linking oral and written language development in children, particularly those with developmental language disorder (DLD) and dyslexia. The discussion spans the challenges of labeling disorders, the translation of research into practice, and how implementation science can bridge the gap between research and practice. The episode also highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers, and if you listen to the end, you can hear some behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

Julie Wolter, PhD, CCC-SLP, is the Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Gonzaga University and an internationally recognized expert in language-literacy development. With nearly 25 years of experience in both academic and clinical settings, Dr. Wolter has served in leadership roles at the University of Montana and Utah State University. Her research focuses on the assessment and intervention of developmental language disorder (DLD) and dyslexia in young children, and she is currently leading a National Institutes of Health-funded study in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Royal Holloway University of London. Dr. Wolter is deeply committed to enhancing education and clinical training for health professionals, particularly in underserved communities, and has secured significant funding to support students in rural and American Indian tribal areas.


Theme Song
Sound of Home, composed and performed by Jens Koch. Recorded live at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. All rights to the recording and song are reserved by Jens Koch. Find him on Spotify. 

Share your thoughts and follow your host on X @OdegardTim

In this episode of Dyslexia Uncovered, we get to hear the first of our Big Sky Conversations. Dr. Tiffany Hogan from the MGH Institute shares her expertise in linking oral and written language development in children, particularly those with developmental language disorder (DLD) and dyslexia. The discussion spans the challenges of labeling disorders – such as dyslexia and DLD, the translation of research into practice, and how implementation science can bridge the gap between research and practice. The episode also highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers, and if you listen to the end, you can hear some behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

Share your thoughts and follow your host on X @OdegardTim

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Margaret Goldberg, a dedicated literacy coach in a large urban district in California and co-founder of The Right to Read Project. Margaret has an extensive background in education, having served as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, district early literacy lead, site-based literacy coach, and reading interventionist.

 We explore Margaret's journey from teacher to advocate, delving into her commitment to aligning classroom instruction with the latest reading research. Our conversation touches on the challenges she has faced in promoting equitable literacy practices and the impactful work she continues to do through The Right to Read Project.

 Margaret and I discuss the importance of integrating teacher voices in conversations around the Science of Reading and how aligning instruction with research can transform educational outcomes. We also examine the initiatives and goals of The Right to Read Project, highlighting their efforts to support schools and districts in improving literacy education.

 This conversation sheds light on the intersection of research and practice, the significance of community and teacher involvement in literacy advocacy, and the ongoing journey toward educational equity.

 Whether you're an educator, an individual with dyslexia, a parent, a researcher, or someone with an interest in literacy, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for advancing literacy education.

 Margaret and I share a passion for supporting educators and ensuring every child succeeds in reading and writing. Join us for this compelling conversation filled with expertise, personal stories, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

 Learn more about the Right to Read Project.

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For this conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of my closest friends, Dr. Laurie Cutting, the Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Special Education, Psychology, Human Development, and Radiology at Vanderbilt University. We chatted about the fascinating topic of neuroscience and literacy development.

We explore the significant impact of neuroscience on our understanding of reading

disabilities, discussing both the promises and the current limitations of this field. We also delve into the importance of early identification, the complexities of neurobiological risk factors, and the potential future of individualized interventions based on brain imaging. 

This conversation highlights the intersection between science and education, the power of neuroimaging in validating reading interventions, and the ongoing challenges in translating research into classroom practices.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, researcher, or someone with dyslexia, this episode offers valuable insights and a sense of hope for the future of literacy development.

Laurie and I both believe in the importance of our work and the impact it can have on the lives of those with dyslexia.

So, join me for this enlightening conversation filled with expertise, personal anecdotes, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

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Today, we take time to hold space, learn, and engage in a conversation about the power of voice. Our guest speaks to the importance of uplifting Black voices and lived experiences, sharing her personal journey as a Black woman and parent to a son with dyslexia.

Our guest today is Resha Conroy, the founder and Executive Director of the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children, a non-profit organization working to eliminate the amplified inequities for Black children experiencing unaddressed dyslexia and related learning disabilities. 

She is the mother of two children with learning disabilities, including a son with dyslexia. Ms. Conroy is motivated by her family's journey to pursue her lifelong passion for educational equity. A proud lifelong New Yorker and Bronx High School of Science graduate, Resha holds a BA in Economics from Smith  College, an MPA focusing on non-profit management, and an MS in Communicative  Sciences and Disorders from New York University.

Ms. Conroy is a speech-language pathologist with a strong interest in language, literacy, and culture. She also has over a decade of experience in education and non-profit management, serving on school leadership teams and as a consultant for schools in Washington, DC, and New York City. Ms. Conroy serves on the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) Family Engagement Advisory Board, NYC Department of Education Literacy Advisory Council, Learning Ally National Advisory Board, Evidence Advocacy Center (EAC) Parent and Family Advocates Team, and the NYS Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force.

Learn more about Resha's Organization, the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children

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Today’s guest is none other than Dr. Reid Lyon. For this conversation, we consider poignant questions that have served to advance understanding of reading and new questions to support creative thinking as we strive to translate what has been learned into practice. 

Dr. Lyon has had a distinguished career as a research scientist, professor, classroom teacher, special education teacher, neuroscientist, and leader in the development of evidence-based education policy at the federal and state levels. From 1992 until 2005, Dr. Lyon served as the Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health. While at the National Institute of Health, Dr. Lyon worked closely with the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and Congress on the development of evidence-based education policy.

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In this episode of "Dyslexia Uncovered," we dive deeper into a theme that resonates strongly with our community—the intersection of identity and the social-emotional realities faced by those with learning differences. Our guest, Dr. Stephanie Haft, a newly minted Ph.D. and clinical psychologist, has dedicated her research to exploring the impacts of learning differences and ADHD on individual well-being.

Dr. Haft's work extends beyond the often-discussed realms of childhood and adolescence, focusing on underrepresented groups. Her insights shed light on the broader psychological factors affecting our community and others, highlighting the diverse challenges and resilience among those living with dyslexia and related conditions.

Join us as Dr. Haft shares her extensive knowledge and helps us understand more about the social-emotional landscape that shapes our lives.

Continue the Learning

Access Stephanie's systematic review of learning disability stigma and stereotype threat.

Access a short article by Stephanie that describes a resilience framework and its application to dyslexia.

Access Stephanie's controlled trial of near-peer mentoring and its effects on indicators of psychological well-being in individuals with learning disabilities / ADHD.

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