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

The IDA definition of dyslexia is considered the gold standard. So why is the IDA changing the definition?  What will it mean for your child? Listen to this podcast to discover what the change to the definition of dyslexia means for you and your child, and why the organization thought it necessary.

Links:

International Dyslexia Association

Public comment on the IDA definition of dyslexia

A mother and daughter’s journey with dyslexia as the daughter asks: “Am I dyslexic?”  This episode shares dyslexia help for parents and offers a perspective on what many have said along the way, which hasn't always been pretty. Discover no-nonsense dyslexia help and advice.

In this conversation, Tracy and Alex delve into the complexities of dyslexia, addressing common misconceptions and the importance of self-advocacy. They share personal experiences from high school to college, highlighting the challenges faced by dyslexics and the need for greater awareness and understanding in society. The discussion emphasizes that being dyslexic does not equate to a lack of intelligence and encourages listeners to advocate for themselves and others. They share the power in saying: "I'm dyslexic, not stupid" and why that's even necessary.

Do you have a story to share about your child? We'd love to hear it. Head over to The Literacy Keys website. Use the contact form to send us a message.

TAKEAWAYS

• Dyslexia is often misunderstood and still carries negative connotations.
• Research on dyslexia has existed for decades but is not widely known.
• Self-advocacy is crucial for dyslexics in educational settings.
• Accommodations should not be viewed as unfair advantages.
• The journey of understanding dyslexia is ongoing and requires societal change.
• Personal experiences can help change perceptions about dyslexia.
• Dyslexia help: support from peers and mentors can make a significant difference.
• Awareness and education about dyslexia are essential for change.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Dyslexia: Breaking Down Misconceptions

03:10 Personal Experiences: The Journey Through School

06:08 Advocacy and Self-Discovery in Education

08:51 The Impact of Labels and Societal Perceptions

12:03 Navigating College: A New Approach to Advocacy

15:06 Overcoming Challenges: The Role of Perseverance

17:50 Learning from Failure: The Path to Success

21:01 The Importance of Support and Understanding

24:05 Final Thoughts: Changing Perceptions of Dyslexia

Sometimes messy handwriting might be an indication of dysgraphia. Not sure what it is and interested in exploring testing for dysgraphia?  This episode will help guide you through the process of testing for dysgraphia, and ensure your child has the dysgraphia treatment support they need to succeed.

Handwriting can be hard for lots of reasons: fatigue, weak hand strength, slow motor control, or the mental load of turning ideas into sentences. When the struggle is persistent and painful, it may be connected to dysgraphia. We’ll break down what is dysgraphia in plain language, what testing actually involves (hint: it’s not one magic test), and how to get real support at school and at home.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to tell the difference between “messy handwriting” and a writing disability red flag
• Understand what is dysgraphia - what it really means
• What testing for dysgraphia typically includes
• Tech that help older students show what they know

Thank you for listening to The Literacy Keys. If this information was helpful, please share this episode with another parent. Follow us and leave a quick rating. It helps other parents find the information.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Zaner-Bloser Writing Frame can be found by clicking:

Writing Frame Tool

Chapters

(00:00) Understanding Dysgraphia: A Parent's Guide

(06:12) Diagnosing Dysgraphia: What Parents Need to Know

(11:54) Supporting Your Child: Practical Strategies for Home

(17:02) Leveraging Technology: Tools for Older Students with Dysgraphia

In this episode, we're cutting through the confusion of dysgraphia vs dyslexia. Discover why some kids struggle to write even though they're great at reading.  Learn why some dyslexic children also struggle to write.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.  

Are you searching for dyslexia resources for parents? Are you trying to understand your child’s diagnosis?  This episode talks about 3 key things you can do to support your child.

Two of the resources mentioned in the episode include:

International Dyslexia Association

Wright's Law

Is your child’s weekly spelling list a source of frustration? Do you wonder does spelling really matter? If you’ve asked that in a tired whisper over your child's homework, you’re not alone.

For many kids, misspelled words aren’t careless mistakes. they’re a visible symptom of an invisible load: slower writing, more frustration, and a hit to confidence. And for dyslexic learners, spelling can affect far more than a weekly test grade, it can shape how they participate, how teachers perceive them, and how they see themselves.

In this episode, we talk about the hidden cost, and what actually helps. Spelling can be connected to confidence, and reading. Discover how a focus on morphology, with a multisensory approach, can finally make it stick.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to tell when spelling mistakes are a skill gap so you can stop the daily battles.

• Why “does spelling really matter” is the wrong question, and what to ask instead to protect confidence and progress.

• A practical, parent-friendly way to support struggling spellers at home in under 10 minutes a day.

  
  

CHAPTERS(3:03) Importance Of Spelling Skills(6:06) Brain Activity And Spelling(12:12) Complexity Of English Spelling(18:18) Spelling Rules(21:21) Personal Spelling Experiences

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode has been helpful, please subscribe to the podcast, share it with another parent, and leave a review.  Your support helps us empower more parents. 

Cheers,

⁠Tracy Young, Orton Gillingham Tutor⁠

⁠The Literacy Keys ⁠

Check out episodes with Alex on ⁠YouTube⁠

Transcript

This episode is the second part of our multisensory approach to spelling. In this episode, you'll discover how an OG tutor teaches students to break the word into sounds in order to spell the word.

There are 4 specific examples: two vcv words, and a v-e word, and a 2-syllable word.

If you missed the first part, head over to the previous episode.

Is spelling a nightly battle in your home? In this episode, we explain how to use the Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach for struggling spellers to ensure learning sticks in long-term memory.

If you have a child who struggles to read, you may have heard the term Orton Gillingham, but do you know what it means? Orton Gillingham is not a curriculum, it's a way of presenting information using a multisensory approach that is very effective for dyslexic children and struggling readers. This podcast explains what Orton Gillingham is, and how to find a certified OG tutor.

BTW - I added the word certified because you'll want to find a certified Orton Gillingham tutor. There is a difference between learning the information and putting in hundreds of hours to become certified. It's the difference between theoretical and actual know-how.

When you're ready to find a certified Orton Gillingham tutor, head over to The Literacy Keys and book a free 15-minute consultation with me. We can chat about your needs.

Contact Information

Tracy Young | Certified Dyslexia Tutor

What happens when a dyslexic diagnosis comes long after the early elementary grades?  In this episode, host Tracy Young sits down with her daughter, Alexandrine, to share Alex’s journey of discovering she was dyslexic. 

They explore the missed “red flags,”  the frustration of being misunderstood by teachers, and the challenges of advanced coursework.  Their conversation details the path to obtaining an evaluation in high school and the validating power of a dyslexic diagnosis.  The message offers hope, encouragement, and practical strategies for both parents and teens navigating a similar path.