Unmasking Dyslexia

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Can exercise actually improve dyslexic traits like working memory, executive functioning, and focus?

In this episode of Unmasking Dyslexia, Carleen explores a 2024 study out of London showing that moderate exercise can increase cognitive functioning and working memory — even in individuals with cognitive impairments.

While dyslexia has not yet been the direct focus of this research, the findings raise an important question: If exercise improves cognition in dementia and typical brains, why wouldn’t it help dyslexic brains too?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the 2024 research says about exercise and cognitive functioning
• Why moderate exercise helps — but high-intensity exercise may hurt cognition
• How working memory and executive functioning impact dyslexic adults
• Why morning movement may benefit both the same day and the next day
• How sleep, stress reduction, and exercise work together
• Why movement doesn’t have to mean the gym (and what actually counts)

Carlene offers a compassionate, realistic challenge: just 30 minutes of enjoyable movement a day — walking, cycling, dancing, or playful exercise — paired with better sleep hygiene, to support the dyslexic brain.

This episode is empowering, science-informed, and designed to help dyslexics work with their brains instead of against them.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Many dyslexics struggle with memory, word recall, executive functioning, overwhelm, and chronic stress — but what if poor sleep is making everything worse?

In this episode of Unmasking Dyslexia, Carleen explores why sleep impacts the dyslexic brain more intensely and how common habits like late-night screen time, caffeine, irregular schedules, stress, and sensory overload quietly sabotage cognitive functioning.

You’ll learn:

• Why psychology diagnoses focus on behaviour — not brain structure
• How poor sleep worsens working memory, word recall, and executive function
• What “sleep hygiene” really means for dyslexic and neurodivergent adults
• How clutter, stress, caffeine, food timing, and exercise affect sleep quality
• Why even 10 minutes of daily movement can improve cognitive performance
• A gentle one-week challenge to improve sleep without perfection or pressure

This episode is practical, compassionate, and realistic — especially for dyslexics, ADHDers, and highly sensitive people who process the world more intensely and need routines that honour their nervous systems.

🎧 If you’re dyslexic and exhausted, foggy, or overwhelmed, this episode may change how you see sleep — and yourself.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Unmasking Dyslexia, Carleen breaks down a widely circulated (and often misquoted) statistic claiming that dyslexics have a “high chance” of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. But what does the research actually say—and what does it not say?

Carleen explains the 2024 genetic study that linked dyslexia to a specific Alzheimer’s subtype, why many people confuse learning disability statistics with dyslexia, and how misinformation spreads when context is missing.

You’ll also learn:
 • The difference between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
 • Why neurodiverse people (ADHD, autism, HSPs) may show similar patterns
 • How wellbeing, stress, and mindset influence brain health
 • What positive psychology research shows about protective factors
 • How dyslexic strengths—creativity, pattern recognition, big-picture thinking—build resilience
 • Why some people have Alzheimer’s plaques but never develop dementia symptoms

This episode offers reassurance, clarity, and practical steps to increase wellbeing and support long-term brain health—without fear-based messaging or misquoted statistics.

Show Notes:
Chang, Z., Yao, H., Sun, S., Zhang, L., Liu, S., Brikell, I., D’Onofrio, B. M., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Kuja-Halkola, R., Hägg, S., Happé, F., & Taylor, M. J. (2025). Association between autism and dementia across generations: Evidence from a family study of the Swedish population. Molecular Psychiatry, 30(10), 4605–4612. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03045-6

Levine SZ, Rotstein A, Kodesh A, et al. Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Risk of Dementia. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2338088. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38088

Zhu, P., Gao, S., Wu, S., Li, X., Huang, C., Chen, Y., & Liu, G. (2024). Causal relationships between dyslexia and the risk of eight dementias. Translational psychiatry, 14(1), 371. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03082-9

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Most people think of dyslexia as a reading and writing difference, but auditory dyslexia reveals an entirely different side of how the dyslexic brain processes the world. In this episode, I share what it’s really like to have a brain that sometimes hears the wrong words—even when you know what the person actually said.

Auditory dyslexia can make similar-sounding words blend together, make pronunciations harder to interpret, and turn everyday conversations into a full-brain decoding exercise. This means the dyslexic individual isn’t simply listening—they’re processing, filtering, and mentally working through each word. That extra mental load often leads to the social exhaustion so many dyslexic individuals experience but rarely talk about.

I share personal examples from childhood, teaching, relationships, and even music (including why I still hear Ed Sheeran singing about “camel thighs”). While some moments bring humor and joy, auditory dyslexia also comes with challenges—especially in learning environments, professional settings, and emotionally important conversations.

We discuss:

✨ What auditory dyslexia actually is
 ✨ Why it isn’t typically tested for
 ✨ How it affects relationships, learning, and communication
 ✨ The hidden exhaustion of constant mental filtering
 ✨ The importance of wellbeing factors—sleep, hunger, emotional state, background noise
 ✨ Post-traumatic growth and building resilience around dyslexic processing
 ✨ How humor can increase wellbeing and reduce shame

This episode is an invitation to honor your auditory processing differences, find compassion for the mental load you carry, and embrace the joy and humor in how your unique brain hears the world.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we dive deep into the idea that none of us are only one identity—not even our strongest ones. I share why I say “I am dyslexic” rather than “I have dyslexia,” and how my dyslexic brain filters everything I see, feel, understand, communicate, and create.

Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, positive psychology, spirituality, and shamanic practices, we explore how our identities function like lenses—shaping the way we experience relationships, emotions, safety, communication, and meaning.

You’ll learn:

✨ Why identity is a constellation of many “little i’s” under one “big I”
 ✨ How dyslexia can be a processing identity, not just a learning difference
✨ How trauma, gender, culture, and spirituality shape how we filter the world
✨ Why the word AND (A-N-D) is essential for self-understanding
✨ The “starburst” exercise for mapping your multiple identities
✨ Why positive experiences matter (4:1 ratio) for balancing negative ones
✨ How collecting your “ands” strengthens wellbeing, resilience, and clarity

This episode is an invitation to honour the many parts that make you you.
You are not just one identity—you are a starburst.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Most people think of dyslexia as a reading and writing difference, but auditory dyslexia reveals an entirely different side of how the dyslexic brain processes the world. In this episode, I share what it’s really like to have a brain that sometimes hears the wrong words—even when you know what the person actually said.

Auditory dyslexia can make similar-sounding words blend together, make pronunciations harder to interpret, and turn everyday conversations into a full-brain decoding exercise. This means the dyslexic individual isn’t simply listening—they’re processing, filtering, and mentally working through each word. That extra mental load often leads to the social exhaustion so many dyslexic individuals experience but rarely talk about.

I share personal examples from childhood, teaching, relationships, and even music (including why I still hear Ed Sheeran singing about “camel thighs”). While some moments bring humor and joy, auditory dyslexia also comes with challenges—especially in learning environments, professional settings, and emotionally important conversations.

We discuss:

✨ What auditory dyslexia actually is
 ✨ Why it isn’t typically tested for
 ✨ How it affects relationships, learning, and communication
 ✨ The hidden exhaustion of constant mental filtering
 ✨ The importance of wellbeing factors—sleep, hunger, emotional state, background noise
 ✨ Post-traumatic growth and building resilience around dyslexic processing
 ✨ How humor can increase wellbeing and reduce shame

This episode is an invitation to honour your auditory processing differences, find compassion for the mental load you carry, and embrace the joy and humour in how your unique brain hears the world.

Connect with me at: https://www.carleenross.com/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, I share one of the most powerful studies I came across after my own diagnosis — a 2021 study by Virginia Stern and colleagues titled Enhanced Visceral Motor Emotional Reactivity in Dyslexia and its Relation to the Salience Network. Though the name might sound complex, the findings are profound: dyslexic individuals—especially those with phonetic processing differences—may experience heightened emotional and social awareness.

This episode explores how:
• Dyslexia affects more than reading or learning — it shapes social and emotional experiences.
• Phonetic dyslexics may have stronger facial expressiveness and heightened empathy.
• These sensitivities can lead to both deep connection and emotional overwhelm.
• Emotional regulation, through tools like breathwork, helps dyslexic individuals stay grounded while embracing their perceptive strengths.
• Together, we’ll look at what this study reveals about how dyslexic brains feel and connect — and how understanding these emotional nuances can help us rewrite the dyslexic story from one of limitation to one of deep human insight.

Timestamps: 
0:00 – Welcome to Unmasking Dyslexia
0:38 – Why this study changed how I understood my dyslexic brain
2:10 – Overview of Stern et al. (2021): Emotional reactivity and the dyslexic brain
3:50 – The importance of identifying which type of dyslexia is studied
5:15 – How phonetic dyslexics process emotion differently
7:20 – Facial expression, empathy, and emotional intensity
9:30 – The link between emotional expression, anxiety, and depression
12:10 – What this means for relationships and communication
15:00 – Emotional regulation for dyslexic sensitivity
16:15 – Using the breath to restore balance and calm
18:30 – Why we need more research — and a new story of dyslexia

Key Takeaways: 
• Dyslexia is not only about reading — it’s about how we experience the world emotionally and socially.
• Phonetic dyslexics may have heightened emotional awareness and expressive empathy.
• Emotional regulation is a vital skill for dyslexics — the breath can be a powerful anchor.
• Science is beginning to show that dyslexia shapes connection, not just cognition.
• It’s time to rewrite the story of dyslexia from deficit to difference.

#UnmaskingDyslexia #CarleenRoss #DyslexiaAndEmotion #Neurodiversity #EmotionalIntelligence #DyslexicStrengths #Neurodivergent #DyslexiaAwareness #PositivePsychology #SocialNeuroscience #EmotionalRegulation #MeaningAndMattering

Study: 
Sturm, V. E., Roy, A. R. K., Datta, S., Wang, C., Sible, I. J., Holley, S. R., Watson, C., Palser, E. R., Morris, N. A., Battistella, G., Rah, E., Meyer, M., Pakvasa, M., Mandelli, M. L., Deleon, J., Hoeft, F., Caverzasi, E., Miller, Z. A., Shapiro, K. A., … Gorno-Tempini, M. L. (2021). Enhanced visceromotor emotional reactivity in dyslexia and its relation to salience network connectivity. Cortex, 134, 278–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.10.022

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we’re diving into the terms neurotypical and neurodivergent — where they come from, what they actually mean, and why the definitions we’ve been given don’t always tell the full story. Who decides what’s “typical” or “average” anyway? And how does the DSM-5 shape our understanding of difference?

We’ll also explore:
• The origins of the term neurodivergent — from Harvey Blume (1998) to Judy Singer’s advocacy.
• Why separating neurotypical from neurodiverse can create unhelpful “us vs. them” thinking.
• The idea of Complementary Cognition, introduced by Helen Taylor — a theory that celebrates all processing styles as essential for human evolution.
• How dyslexic brains might just be the next step in our collective creativity and innovation.
• Through storytelling and research, Carlene reframes what it means to be different — showing how every brain has a purpose and every perspective has value.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
0:40 – What does “neurotypical” really mean?
2:30 – The DSM-5 and who decides what’s “normal”
5:10 – Understanding spectrum experiences
7:30 – Mild, moderate, and severe dyslexia — what that really means
11:15 – The hidden ways dyslexics “mask” during assessments
14:00 – Origins of the term “neurodivergent”
17:45 – The role of Judy Singer and the rise of neurodiversity
19:10 – Why “us vs. them” misses the point
21:00 – Helen Taylor’s Complementary Cognition
22:45 – Dyslexic processing as a gift for human evolution
24:30 – Closing reflections: There’s nothing wrong with you — you were meant to think this way.

Key Takeaways: 
• “Normal” is a construct — not a scientific truth.
• Every brain is unique, and difference is essential for human growth.
• Dyslexia exists on a spectrum — mild, moderate, and severe experiences all matter.
• The idea of Complementary Cognition shows how diverse minds move humanity forward.
• Dyslexics are not broken — we are beautifully designed to see the world differently.

#UnmaskingDyslexia #CarleenRoss #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Neurotypical #DyslexiaAwareness #ComplementaryCognition #PositivePsychology #HumanEvolution #DifferentNotDeficient #XMenOfThinking #mindfulscience 

Show Notes:
Learn more about where the term neurodiversity came from here: https://www.carleenross.com/neurodiversity

Read Helen Taylor's paper:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-archaeological-journal/article/evolution-of-complementary-cognition-humans-cooperatively-adapt-and-evolve-through-a-system-of-collective-cognitive-search/F198B30682343E92C7E9C986332D380A?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=bookmark

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, we’re stepping outside the usual conversation about dyslexia. This isn’t about the classroom. This isn’t about work. This episode is about how dyslexia influences our relationships, our communication, our identity, and our lived moments with the people closest to us.

We explore what happens when the dyslexic brain moves into the social world — how we interpret tone, language, meaning, and intention differently, and why this often leads to misunderstanding between dyslexic and neurotypical communicators.

You’ll hear my own story of diagnosis, the relief of finally having a name I could own, and the challenge of learning the deficits and the strengths that come with dyslexic processing. We talk about how dyslexics often see the forest, not just the trees, and why that big-picture thinking changes the texture of our interactions.

We’ll also examine research from psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science to understand why dyslexic communication is unique — and why the system rarely discusses these social impacts.

And we end on a positive: the web-based memory system that makes dyslexic thinking powerful, rich, creative, and deeply interconnected.

In This Episode: 
(0:00) Welcome and introduction
(0:14) Why we need to move dyslexia beyond school and work
(0:28) Getting a diagnosis — and finally having something to own
(1:01) The deficits as described by research — from a neurotypical lens
(1:35) Big-picture processing: seeing the forest AND the trees
(2:27) Communication differences: high-concept expression, not fine-detail scripting
(3:04) Word recall, memory, and why arguments can feel distorted
(4:10) Meaning vs. words: the dyslexic brain listens differently
(5:21) The missing research: why organizations overlook the social realm
(6:16) Looking at dyslexia through psychology, neuroscience, and medical data
(6:41) What dyslexia could mean beyond “learning disability”
(7:27) The beauty of web-based memory
(8:24) Why our answers seem off-topic (but usually aren’t)
(9:21) Seeing what others don’t — and celebrating that strength
(9:53) Why dyslexics matter in the social world

Key Takeaways:
• Dyslexia doesn’t stop at reading or writing — it shapes social interaction, communication, and emotional processing.
• Dyslexic communication focuses on meaning, not just words.
• Big-picture thinking can cause conflict, but it also creates incredible insight.
• Dyslexic memory works like a web, not a filing cabinet — deeply interconnected.
• Understanding dyslexia socially helps us understand ourselves more fully.

#UnmaskingDyslexia #DyslexiaAndRelationships #Neurodiversity #DyslexiaAwareness #CommunicationDifferences #PositivePsychology #MeaningAndMattering

[email protected]
https://www.carleenross.com/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Positive Psychology is the science of well-being — it asks, what makes life good? What helps us grow, even when life challenges us?

In this episode, you’ll learn how Positive Psychology has evolved over time, from Martin Seligman’s focus on strengths to Paul Wong’s integration of shadow and struggle, and into newer waves that explore culture, meaning, and spirituality.

I’ll also share how these frameworks shape the way I support dyslexic individuals — using both resilience and purpose to create a fuller, more compassionate understanding of who we are.

In This Episode: 
(0:00) Welcome to Unmasking Dyslexia
(0:43) What is Positive Psychology?
(1:11) The four waves of Positive Psychology
(1:24) Wave 1: Strengths and the science of a good life (Martin Seligman)
(1:53) Wave 2: Growth through struggle and balance (Paul Wong)
(2:35) How this connects to the dyslexic experience
(3:43) Wave 3: Representing diverse and underrepresented voices
(3:58) Wave 4: Meaning, spirituality, and existential growth
(4:57) How I use Waves 2 & 4 to support dyslexic well-being
(5:08) The importance of holding both light and shadow

Key Takeaways: 
• Positive Psychology isn’t about ignoring pain — it’s about finding growth through it.
• Wave 2 reminds us that struggle and resilience coexist.
• Wave 4 invites us to explore meaning, mattering, and our connection beyond self.
• Dyslexia research and support benefit from integrating both science and soul.

#UnmaskingDyslexia #CarleenRoss #PositivePsychology #AdultDyslexia #Neurodiversity #EmpoweredDyslexic #DyslexiaAwareness #ScienceOfWellbeing #MeaningAndMattering #CoachingPsychology #ThriveWithDyslexia

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Unmasking Dyslexia. This podcast is dedicated to reframing how we understand dyslexia—shifting the narrative from deficit to difference.

If you found today's episode valuable or think someone you know could benefit from its message, please share it. By doing so you become apart of the positive shift society needs around what it means to be dyslexic. 

To learn more about Carleen Ross’s work in positive psychology, coaching, and neurodiversity advocacy, visit https://www.carleenross.com 

Book a coaching session here: https://www.carleenross.com/book-online

Enrol in one of her programs here: https://www.carleenross.com/virtual-programs

Or connect with her directly, email her at [email protected].