The Literacy Keys - The World of Dyslexia and Struggling Readers by an Orton Gillingham Tutor

After this episode, you’ll know exactly how to improve writing skills and what to do next with your child so writing starts feeling doable.

For many struggling readers writing is brain overload. They have ideas, but getting those ideas onto paper in the right order, with the right words, can feel like juggling while riding a unicycle. In this episode, Tracy Young (certified Orton-Gillingham tutor) and Alex, her dyslexic daughter break writing down into 5 clear steps that reduce frustration and build confidence. It’s a plan you can use today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to turn “I don’t know what to write” into a simple plan in minutes

A 5-step process sharing How To Improve Writing Skills without overwhelm

What to say (and what not to say) when your child freezes or melts down

Pick one writing assignment this week and try the 5 steps once. There’s no pressure. 

Do you need one-on-one writing support for your child? Contact The Literacy Keys.
If this episode helped, please share us with another parent. Leave a quick review so more overwhelmed parents can find us.
Cheers,
⁠Tracy Young, Orton Gillingham Tutor⁠

ps - You can also check out the episodes with Alex on ⁠YouTube⁠

CHAPTERS:
(00:00) Introduction to Improve Writing Skills
(03:11) Overcoming Writing Challenges
(06:07) Understanding the Writing Process
(12:30) Expanding Ideas and Sentence Structure
(21:26) Utilizing Technology in Writing

Keywords
writing, essay tips, writing techniques, dyslexia, outlining, editing, technology in writing, college essays, writing skills, procrastination

Struggling for success can feel like staring at a report card and thinking, “How is my child so bright… and still drowning?” After listening to this episode, you’ll feel less alone, more grounded, and clear on what to do today, not “someday.”

Host Tracy Young, an ALTA-certified, Orton-Gillingham tutor, shares a candid Reddit thread where dyslexic adults shared the truth about being told they couldn't achieve something and the moment they proved that person wrong. These are real-life dyslexia success stories, college acceptances, advanced degrees, thriving careers, all powered by persistence and the right supports. Tracy breaks down what these stories have in common, and why struggling for success is usually a mismatch in instruction, not a lack of effort or intelligence.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What dyslexia success stories have in common, so you can copy the patterns that work.
A simple way to talk to your child that boosts motivation.
How to spot progress that’s easy to miss, so your child feels wins sooner.

Do you need a calm, clear plan for your struggling reader? Start at The Literacy Keys. Click ⁠here⁠
 
Chapters
(00:00) Understanding the Struggles of Dyslexia
(03:13) The Reality of Parental Fears
(05:58) Celebrating Dyslexia Success Stories
(08:57) Believing in Your Child's Potential
(11:51) Finding Support and Community

Have your mornings turned into hostage negotiations? After listening, you’ll understand what’s driving the school avoidance pushback and exactly what to do next. Understand what Half-Baked Muffins refers to, and turn hard mornings of “My Child Hates School” into a new reality. It's never easy but you can start this week!

If you’re a parent hearing: “My Child Hates School” and you’re looking for answers, then this episode is for you. Host Tracy Young, certified Orton Gillingham tutor breaks down School Avoidance in plain language, with a whole lot of practical calm. You’ll learn the most common reasons kids avoid school and how to stop the daily negotiation spiral without escalating the fear.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to spot what’s really happening beneath “My Child Hates School” and respond in a way that lowers the temperature.
A simple 3-step plan to interrupt School Avoidance without power struggles.

CHAPTERS
(02:05) — What Is School Avoidance (School Refusal)?
(05:20) — What Kids Say (and What They Mean)
(09:10) — The 5 Most Common Reasons for School Avoidance
(13:45) — Academic Struggle & Older Kids
(16:25) — The 7-Day Plan to Reduce School Avoidance

If this episode helped you, please subscribe and leave a quick review, so more exhausted parents can find support.

Learn more about The Literacy Keys: https://theliteracykeys.com/
Ready for a calmer plan? Book a consultation at: ⁠https://theliteracykeys.com/contact/

RESOURCES
The Tapping Solution (kids + school anxiety)

The 504 plan and private schools: step-by-step explanation for what private schools must do, what they don’t haveto do, and how to ask for support without burning bridges.

After listening to this episode, you’ll know exactlywhat to ask for, how to ask, and what to do next, all without feeling like you need a law degree.

This topic hits hard because private schools can soundconfident while giving you a vague statement: “We don’t do 504s here.” This can feel overwhelming when you’re already juggling tutoring, tears, tuition, and teacher emails.

In this episode, Orton Gillingham tutor and host TracyYoung breaks down what’s actually true about a 504 plan and private schools in plain language. You’ll walk away with a simple plan for accommodations that help your child right now, whether or not the school uses a formal 504 process.

You’ll discover:
How to get a clear answer to the question: "Do private schools have 504 plans?"
How to request accommodations that are specific and reasonable.
What to say to the school when you're feeling nervous or brushed off.
How to document needs so that it's not about goodwill.
What your backup plan is if the school won't provide the support your child needs.
How to compare options when weighing a 504 plan and private schools versus public school support.

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction: The 504 Plan Dilemma
(03:03) Public Schools: Your Rights Under Federal Law
(06:33) Private Schools: Understanding the Differences
(11:17) How to Request Accommodations in Private Schools

Download the checklist and walk into your next conversation with a plan: https://theliteracykeys.com/dyslexia-accommodations-checklist/

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If this helped, please leave a quick review so more overwhelmed parents can find the episode.

Cheers,
⁠Tracy Young, Orton Gillingham Tutor⁠, founder of ⁠TheLiteracy Keys ⁠

She’s not lazy—she’s masking dyslexia. Hear the sneaky signs of dyslexia in girls and why so many teachers miss them. A real story that looks at sex differences in dyslexia.
In this episode, we cover how late diagnosis is common when girls compensate. You'll discover behavioral myths, research gaps, and a checklist of red flags for dyslexia in girls. This information will highlight why dyslexia is diagnosed more frequently in males and how societal issues create the impression of sex differences in dyslexia. All of this is important to understand when thinking about testing your child for dyslexia.

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

Links:
Go to the homepage of our website to download the Dyslexia Symptoms by Age mentioned in this episode.

Cheers,
⁠Tracy Young, Orton Gillingham Tutor⁠
⁠The Literacy Keys ⁠
You can watch episodes with Alex on ⁠YouTube⁠

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and why we’re talking about dyslexia in girls

01:40 The “behavior bias”: why girls often fly under the radar

07:00 Masking and classroom dynamics that hide reading struggles

09:15 Red flags we missed and what parents often notice first

16:30 Teacher training gaps and why schools may overlook dyslexia

22:45 Early-childhood warning signs (ages 5–12)

25:55 Rhyming/tongue twisters: an easy at-home clue

30:35 Subtle symptoms + what “looks fine” can really mean

35:35 Social masking + perfectionism/people-pleasing pressure

41:40 What helped + practical supports to try

43:25 Quick wrap-up takeaways