The Literacy Keys - Dyslexia resources and structured literacy tips by an Orton Gillingham tutor

Are you exhausted from the mountain of report cards and school meetings?  Do you feel that grade retention is the only option for your child? For a struggling reader or a dyslexic child, repeating a grade without changing the instruction is like asking them to run laps on a sprained ankle. Hope alone isn’t enough.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons (in plain English) so you can stop second-guessing yourself and make the right decision for your family. We’ll discuss some of the research and what it actually says regarding grade retention, and why your child might not benefit from repeating a grade.  They may actually need a different way of learning.

I’ve spent years helping kids crack the code, and I want to share what your child needs to succeed. Whether the school is pushing grade retention, or you’re the one considering it, let’s sit down for a chat.

After listening, you’ll:

Confidently decide if grade retention is the right path for your family or if it’s time to pivot your instructional strategy.

Ask the right questions in school meetings that ensure your child gets evidence-based intervention.

Reclaim your sanity with a doable, 5-step plan.

So if you’re ready to stop the guesswork and get your child the expert, individualized support they deserve, let's talk. Reach out to me at https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/to explore how virtual 1:1 tutoring can change everything for your reader.

Please subscribe to the show and share this episode with another parent that you know is losing sleep over this same decision.

Chapters:

(00:00) Emotional Weight of Grade Retention Decisions

(02:18) Defining Grade Retention and Legal Implications for Your Child

(08:07) Why Grade Retention Fails Dyslexic and Struggling Students

transcript

Today on The Literacy Keys, we are diving deep into a topic that is often whispered about but rarely confronted head-on: the reality of failing schools.

I’m joined by award-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst, author of The Failure Factory, to pull back the curtain on the institutional gaps that leave so many of our neurodiverse learners behind. If you’ve ever felt like your child was just a number on a spreadsheet or that common sense doesn't exist during a frustrating IEP meeting, this episode about failing schools is for you.

We often find ourselves asking, "why are public schools failing?" and the answer is rarely about a lack of potential in our kids. It’s more about a system that isn't built to prioritize them. We’re moving past the "wait and fail" model to give you the truth about how the system operates and, more importantly, how you can reclaim control. There is a path forward, one small win at a time.

After listening, you’ll:

1) Understand the "Failure Factory" incentive structure that contributes to failing schools.

2) Spot the institutional red flags early to ensure your child gets specific, effective intervention.

3) Gain the confidence to challenge administrative decisions by understanding the "money trail" that often dictates classroom priorities.

Ready to stop the guesswork and get your child the expert, individualized support they deserve? Let’s talk about a personalized path forward for your learner right here: https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/

If you know another parent who is losing sleep over their child's progress, please share this episode with them and hit subscribe so you never miss a win.

Resources mentioned:

Chapters:

(05:18) A Personal Account of Systemic Educational Failure

(15:59) The Special Education Crisis: Unfulfilled IEPs and Lack of Accountability

(23:06) Pathways to Hope: How Parents Can Reclaim Our Public Schools

transcript

Turn your I don't know how to help concerns into a clear, actionable plan that builds your child's reading brick by brick. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the Orton Gillingham Methodology to show you exactly how we re-wire the brain for reading success.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted from the reading battles, I want you to know: you aren’t powerless. You don’t need a teaching certificate to help your child, but you do need a proven roadmap that moves beyond the alphabet song and the guessing games. We are going to walk through a typical Orton Gillingham session together, section by section, so you can understand the Orton Gillingham approach without the confusing jargon. Think of this as your personal guided tour designed specifically for the way children actually learn.

We’re moving away from the frustration of rote memorization and moving toward real, lasting literacy. By understanding the Orton Gillingham Methodology, you can provide the scaffolding your child needs to become an independent learner who finally feels like they can crack the code.

After listening, you’ll:

[05:20] Understand the exact structure of a high-impact session.

[12:45] Identify how to use multisensory tools.

[19:10] Learn why ending a session by reversing roles is the secret.

[25:30] Gain the confidence to start teaching your child the logic of English.

If you’re ready to see if individualized educational therapy is the right fit for your family, or you just want to talk through your child's specific needs, reach out to me at https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/.

Lastly, if you know another parent currently in the trenches of reading battles, please share this episode with them and subscribe so you never miss a key!  It’s free to subscribe. 

transcript

#ortongillingham

#ortongillinghammethodology

#strugglingreader

We’re often told by schools to trust the process, but when your child is guessing at words and struggling to spell simple things, that advice feels empty. If you’ve been searching for how to teach reading in a way that actually works, you’ve likely realized that more of the same isn't the answer.

Today, we are moving past the overwhelm, ignoring the advice to be patient and looking at practical, evidence-based ways to support how to teach reading to kids who have been left behind.

After listening to this episode, you’ll:

1) Identify the hidden reason why your child is "stuck".

2) Explore three parent-friendly programs that explain exactly how to teach reading without a teaching degree.

3) Use the "Purple Challenge" to finally understand the problem with a widely accepted reading program. 

If you're still overwhelmed and seeking 1:1 support tailored to your unique child, let's connect at: https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/

Resources Mentioned:

• All About Reading

• UFLI Foundations

• PRIDE Reading Program

• Purple Challenge Video

If you know another parent who is also questioning why their child is struggling, please share this episode with them. Don't forget to subscribe for free for weekly keys to unlocking your child's literacy!

00:00 Understanding Child Literacy Challenges

09:27 The Science of Reading Explained

15:11 Effective Curricula for Teaching Reading and Spelling

If you’re searching for dyslexia help as you’re wondering how to teach a dyslexic child to read without tears and frustration, you are finally in the right place.

By the end of this episode, you will have a clear, expert-backed roadmap to move your child from guessing to decoding with total confidence.

We’ve all been there: sitting at the kitchen table watching your child struggle to read the word "frame," only to hear them guess "fame." It is heartbreaking to realize that the way many children are taught to read in school is the very thing holding them back. When searching for how to teach a dyslexic child to read, most parents find a mountain of jargon that I call edu-speak. As an ALTA-certified tutor, I’ll provide dyslexic help and share how to use the right keys to unlock reading for your dyslexic child.

After listening, you’ll:

• Master the "No Guessing" rule to ensure your child builds strong, permanent decoding pathways.

• Learn how to use "finger tapping" to help your child physically connect sounds to letters.

• Structure your home practice into 10-minute fatigue-free bursts that stop the daily battles.

If you’re ready to stop the guessing game and want a customized 1:1 plan to help your child thrive, I’m here to help.

Visit our contact page to start your journey toward stress-free reading: https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/

Do you know another parent who is feeling overwhelmed? Please share this episode and subscribe (it’s free) to The Literacy Keys for weekly, practical guidance.

Chapters

00:00 Dyslexia Tips for How to teach a dyslexic child to read intro

01:30 Why Wait and See is a Dangerous Game 

05:00 The 5 Keys to Literacy Success 

10:15 The Role Swap From Student to Teacher 

13:30 How to Work with Tracy: Free 15-minute consultation

Learn to spot co-occurring conditions with dyslexia like Irlen Syndrome.

Dyslexia is not Irlen Syndrome, but they sometimes get mixed up. In this episode, Tracy Young and her daughter Alex dive deep into Irlen Syndrome and other hidden hurdles that often tag along with dyslexia to help you find the right dyslexia help for your family. They share a roadmap to help individuals with Irlen Syndrome find relief and build reading stamina with what is sometimes called dyslexia glasses.  

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed but often, what we see as disorganization or laziness is actually a brain-based processing difference. Tracy and Alex share their own "Dynamic Duo" (and sometimes dysfunctional) journey through the world of co-morbidities, those extra symptoms like dysgraphia or light sensitivity that exist alongside dyslexia. From the magic of tinted lenses (dyslexia glasses) to the surprise of seeing numbers in color, this conversation turns clinical terms into practical aha! moments.

After listening:

• Discover why Irlen Syndrome affects roughly 30% of dyslexics and how specific colored overlays can reduce moving letters so your child can read for longer than ten minutes.
• Decode Dysgraphia: Learn why holding a pencil weird or obsessing over perfect handwriting might actually be a sign of a deeper struggle with putting thoughts to paper.
• Recognize Synesthesia: Find out if your child is part of the group that associates words or numbers with specific colors, and how that "quirk" can actually be a memory superpower.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start supporting your child with a plan that actually works, we’re here to help. Take the next step: Schedule a consultation on our contact page today.

If this episode gave you a bit of relief, please share it with one other parent who is currently in the trenches, and follow our podcast!

Resources mentioned:

• Irlen Syndrome Foundation: irlen.com

transcript

Ditch cramming! Discover 5 science-backed tips for studying effectively and beating the forgetting curve. Imagine a world where studying doesn't end in frustration, and your kid actually remembers what they learned long after the test is over.

Does your child spend hours highlighting their textbook, only to have their mind go blank the moment the exam hits their desk? It’s not a lack of effort. It’s the "Illusion of Competence" tricking their brain into thinking it has mastered the material that it is only familiar with.

In this episode, host Tracy Young shares her favorite tips for studying effectively that move beyond the surface and get straight to the science of how neurodiverse brains actually learn.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to help your dyslexic teen, this is the episode for you. We’re moving away from cramming and toward practical, low-stress habits that build genuine confidence. You’ll learn how to study effectively by working with your child’s brain instead of against it.

Tracy, a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor and mother to a dyslexic daughter, knows exactly what it’s like to be in the homework trenches. She’s here to reassure you that your child isn’t broken. They just haven’t been given the right manual yet. These tips for studying effectively provide the missing keys your teen needs to navigate the heavy academic demands of high school.

After listening, you’ll:

Identify why highlighting is a "pretty lie" and how to swap it for active recall techniques that build true long-term memory.

Master voice-to-text brain dumps to help your student get ideas out of their head and onto the paper before frustration sets in.

Build small wins using dry-erase markers and 3D models that turn abstract concepts into concrete knowledge they can own.

If your high schooler is drowning in reading and writing demands and needs more than just a few pointers, let’s talk. Reach out for 1:1 educational therapy at https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/ to give them the tools to master these skills for themselves.

If this episode helped you, please share it with  another parent, and follow us so you'll never miss more ways to turn I can’t into I can! 

episode transcript

Stop the reading frustration! Discover how decodables build real word fluency and where to find free resources. If you are the parent of a struggling reader, you know the look. It’s that moment of hesitation when your child reaches a word they don’t know, glances at the picture for a clue, and takes a wild guess. It’s frustrating, and as many parents eventually realize it’s a sign that the child hasn’t yet broken the code of literacy.

In this episode of The Literacy Keys, host Tracy Young, an Orton Gillingham tutor, sat down with Marion Waldman and Beth Bevars from TeachMyKidToRead.org to discuss a solution that is often missing from home bookshelves and library stacks: decodable books.  They’re often referred to as decodables.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to help your child, this interview will explain why these "magical" books are the missing piece of the puzzle and how your local library can become your greatest ally in the journey toward literacy.

If this episode has been helpful, follow the podcast, and share it with another parent. You can even leave a rating as this helps other parents find us. 

Cheers,

⁠Tracy Young, Orton Gillingham Tutor⁠

The Literacy Keys

Check out this video interview on ⁠YouTube⁠

Teach My Kid To Read

National Library Service

(03:30) – The "Maggie Mystery": Beth shares the emotional journey of her daughter, Maggie, who didn't learn to read until seventh grade.

(08:51)– What are decodables? Marion explains the "training wheels" of literacy.

(22:05) – What is a High-Low book? Navigating content vs. reading level for older kids.

(27:10) – The essential role of Audiobooks in language comprehension.

(31:51) – The "Talking Book" Secret: How to access free audio and Braille resources through your State Library.

episode transcript

Is the State Paying for Your Tutor? Discover the ESA Account Secret and have Educational Savings Accounts explained.

Let’s face it. You want the absolute best for your child, but sometimes the price tag for specialized literacy support feels like a mountain you just can’t climb alone. In this episode, we’re turning that mountain into a molehill by showing you exactly how to secure the state funding your child needs.

Many parents don’t realize that Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) are essentially the state giving you back your tax dollars to spend on education that works  for your child, such as 1:1 Orton-Gillingham tutoring. In this episode, I’m breaking down the deadlines so you don’t leave money on the table.

After listening, you’ll:

• Understand how the ESA account functions.
• Navigate state application portals with confidence.
• Secure a path toward 1:1 educational therapy that re-wires your child’s brain and builds the lasting reading, writing and spelling skills they deserve.

If this episode helped you breathe a little easier today, please share it with one other parent who is fighting for their child, and don't forget to follow us for other  practical wins. 

Are you ready to see if we're the right fit for your child's  journey? Book a discovery call here to discuss your child's needs

Resources Mentioned:

State Portals:

• Arizona Department of Education ESA
• Utah Fits All Scholarship 
• Florida Step Up For Students
• North Carolina NCSEAA ESA+ Program
• West Virginia Hope Scholarship
• Alabama CHOOSE Act

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to ESA and Its Benefits

01:58 What is an ESA Account and How Does It Work?

05:50 Eligibility Criteria: Special Education and Universal Options

13:47 Maximizing Summer Learning with ESA Funding

If you’ve ever stayed up late wondering if your teenager will be able to navigate the "real world" without constant help, this episode is something you’ve been waiting for.

I recently sat down with Hillary Summerbell, a powerhouse dyslexic entrepreneur who built a thriving career long before she could comfortably read a single business contract. It’s easy to feel like the clock is ticking for your dyslexic learner, especially in the high-pressure years of middle and high school, but Hillary’s story proves that the "traditional" path isn't the only way to the top.

Hillary shares how she navigated decades of "faking it" until she discovered a revolutionary visual hack (the Reading Arc) that unlocked her ability to process text at age 55.

After listening, you’ll:

• Recognize the specific "entrepreneurial traits" your child is already developing.

• See how a successful dyslexic entrepreneur used delegation and creative problem-solving to bypass hurdles.

• Get the details on a simple tool that reshapes text into an arc, reducing visual stress and increasing reading speed instantly.

Need individualized 1:1 support for your dyslexic learner? Explore our tutoring services and find the right "key" for your child at: https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/

Resources:

• Visit Summerbell.com to see the Reading Arc in action.

Lastly, if this episode gave you a glimmer of hope, please share it with another parent and follow us so you never miss a dose of encouragement!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dyslexia and Entrepreneurship

01:27 Hillary's Journey with Dyslexia

06:29 Discovering a New Way to Read

12:40 Creating the Summerbell Tool

39:20 Advice to Younger Self