The Dyslexia Duo: Dr. Jan Wasowicz on Dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder, and the Language Literacy Network

 

Melissa Dean and Amy Rodenroth of the Dyslexia Duo interview Dr. Jan Wasowicz, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and literacy specialist with 40+ years of experience, inventor of Ear Aerobics, and creator of Spell Links and the SpellTalk listserv. Dr. Wasowicz explains the quadrant model distinguishing typical learners, dyslexia (word-level decoding/encoding weaknesses), developmental language disorder (spoken-language weaknesses affecting comprehension and writing), and a mixed profile, noting that about half of people with dyslexia also have DLD and discussing screening tools such as the TILS. She introduces her Language Literacy Network as an updated, research-based alternative to the Reading Rope that integrates reading and writing, morphology, pragmatics, and sight recognition as a byproduct of decoding/encoding. The conversation covers integrating phonology, orthography, and meaning, supporting spelling instruction, prosody as an outcome of underlying skills, parent reinforcement strategies, cautious use of AI for creating pattern-loaded materials, and vetted research resources and communities.

 

00:00 Meet Dr Jan Wasowicz

01:44 Credentials and Work

05:35 Spell Talk and Sites

07:06 From SLP to Literacy

09:15 Quadrant Model Dyslexia

12:45 DLD Screening Tools

17:15 Private Practice Patterns

21:05 Aerobics Origin Story

26:40 Hyperlexia and Pragmatics

30:23 Language Literacy Network

38:20 Pragmatics After COVID

41:19 Education Changes

42:09 Science of Reading Shift

43:04 Capital vs Lowercase SOR

45:35 Comprehension Beyond Phonics

49:55 Phonology Meets Orthography

52:13 Sounds Letters Meaning Glue

53:04 Teaching Word Meanings

57:29 Spelling Instruction Comeback

59:49 Spelling Approach to Reading

01:06:36 Prosody as an Outcome

01:09:09 Prosodic Competence and Stress

01:16:10 Helping Parents Reinforce

01:17:30 Read Aloud Coaching

01:18:58 Link Sounds to Writing

01:19:24 Family Time Matters

01:20:00 AI Tools Caution

01:20:52 ChatGPT Pattern Passages

01:24:26 Vetted Research Sources

01:26:42 PeaceNEX Inspirations

01:29:58 Lunch and Lit Learning

01:37:50 One Wish for Students

01:41:08 Closing Thanks and Credits