Dyslexia Duo Podcast

Dyslexia Duo: An Interview with Karen Avrit   In this episode of the Dyslexia Duo podcast, hosts Aimee and Melissa sit down with Karen Avrit, the Director of Dyslexia Education at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas. With over 30 years of experience and the author of numerous curricula, including the famed 'Take Flight,' Karen shares her journey and insights into the world of dyslexia education. She discusses her career transitions, the development of various teaching methods and materials like the 'mouth pictures,' and the impactful changes she has witnessed in dyslexia remediation. The conversation touches on the importance of early identification, the complexities of transitioning students between programs, and personal anecdotes that underline the transformative power of dedicated dyslexia therapy. Aspiring dyslexia therapists and educators are provided with invaluable advice and inspiration to make a significant impact in their fields.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:59 Meet Karen Avrit: A Dyslexia Expert 01:56 Karen's Journey in Education 05:00 A Life-Changing Diagnosis 09:33 Memories and Lessons from Scottish Rite 18:03 Identifying Dyslexia at Scottish Rite 23:09 The Evolution of Take Flight Curriculum 26:50 Challenges and Innovations in Dyslexia Education 48:24 The Initial Struggles and Revisions 48:52 Personal Stories and Family Anecdotes 49:51 Sponsor Messages 51:55 Challenges with Mouth Pictures 52:30 Incorporating PA into Take Flight 57:02 Order of Presentation in Dyslexia Curricula 01:01:07 Development of Mouth Pictures 01:08:33 Evolution of Dyslexia Curricula 01:21:58 Impact of Dyslexia Therapy 01:28:44 Retirement Plans and Future Endeavors 01:34:48 Final Thoughts and Wishes for Students

Dyslexia Duo with Dr. Maryanne Wolf   In this episode of 'The Dyslexia Duo' podcast, hosts Aimee and Melissa, accompanied by special guest Dr. Maryanne Wolf, delve deep into understanding dyslexia. They explore Dr. Wolf's extensive background in cognitive neuroscience and her pivotal work on the reading brain, literacy, and dyslexia. Dr. Wolf shares her personal journey from teaching in Hawaii to her research at Harvard, emphasizing the importance of literacy as a basic human right. The conversation touches on the intricacies of deep reading and the dangers of over-reliance on digital media for young readers. Dr. Wolf introduces her ‘RAVE-O’ program, designed to enhance reading fluency and comprehension through multi-component interventions. The episode is rich with insights into the science of reading, the challenges faced by dyslexic individuals, and strategies for effective teaching.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:52 Meet Our Special Guest: Maryanne Wolf 01:28 Maryanne Wolf's Journey into Cognitive Neuroscience 07:09 The Importance of Reading as a Human Right 10:33 Understanding Dyslexia and Its Implications 16:40 The Science of Reading and Teaching Strategies 28:58 Challenges in Dyslexia Education 29:24 Personal Stories and Advocacy 31:43 Dyslexia in the Modern World 35:10 Upcoming Resources and Modules for Teachers 35:52 The Shift to Digital Textbooks 36:37 Print vs Digital: Research Insights 39:34 The Impact of Digital Exposure on Children 43:46 The Importance of Deep Reading 45:13 The Role of Empathy in Reading 46:03 Critical Thinking and Social Media 50:04 Introducing Ravo: A Reading Program 59:04 The Family of Educators 01:00:23 Conclusion and Farewell

Empowering Dyslexia Advocates: Insights from The Dyslexia Duo and Literacy View In this episode of The Dyslexia Duo, hosts Melissa and Aimee sit down with Faith Borkowski and Judy Boksner, co-hosts of The Literacy View podcast. The discussion covers a range of topics, including the myths surrounding dyslexia, effective teaching strategies, the importance of public advocacy, and the role of emotions in driving educational change. Faith and Judy share their personal journeys and professional experiences, highlighting how the science of reading can sometimes be misinterpreted or inadequately applied. They also emphasize the need for continuous professional development for teachers, support for parents, and the evolution of literacy education. The conversation concludes with a look at upcoming episodes featuring renowned literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan and more exciting topics.   00:00 Introduction to the Dyslexia Duo 00:49 Meet the Special Guests: Spice Girls of Literacy 01:06 Personal Journeys in Education 02:46 Challenges and Realizations in Teaching 08:27 The Literacy View Podcast: A New Adventure 16:45 Dyslexia Laws and School Systems 21:05 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practices 34:41 Guest Selection and Podcast Topics 38:30 Parental Involvement and Advocacy 40:18 Sponsorship Messages 42:23 Reflections and Changing Views 43:46 Navigating the Science of Reading 44:38 The Power of Questioning and Continuous Learning 44:57 Influencers and Confusion in the Reading World 47:05 Empowering Educators with Best Practices 47:34 Challenges Teachers Face in Pursuing Knowledge 48:43 The Impact and Reach of Podcasting 50:44 Innovative Approaches to Professional Development 54:04 Supporting Teachers and Students with Dyslexia 56:53 Advice for Parents of Children with Dyslexia 59:05 The Importance of Parental Advocacy 01:00:32 Addressing Literacy Challenges in Schools 01:01:55 The Role of Pediatricians and Community Support 01:07:33 Professional and Personal Milestones 01:14:32 The Lightning Round: Fun and Insights 01:22:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Find out more about the Literacy View with Faith and Judy here: https://theliteracyview.com/

The Duo interview literacy researcher and dyslexia specialist, Dr. Brennan Chandler.  This discussion illuminates the importance of improving reading instruction for all students, especially those who struggle, by moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.  Effective teaching requires a deep understanding of how reading develops, the use of data to guide instruction, and specialized strategies for different age groups. For early learners, the focus is on making the "science of reading" practical for teachers. For adolescents with dyslexia, the emphasis shifts to qualitatively different instruction involving morphology and flexible decoding. Across all groups, though, the core message is that empowering educators with knowledge and data literacy is more effective than simply mandating curricula or increasing instructional time.

Listen again to the duo's Season 1 interview with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, originally airing on 9/21/2024. To find out more about Dr. Hasbrouck and her work, visit her website: https://www.janhasbrouck.com/