If your child avoids reading, mixes up words, melts down over homework, or keeps saying, “I’m just not smart,” you may be wondering whether there’s something deeper happening beneath the surface. What if these challenges aren’t a phase, but signs of dyslexia symptoms that have been overlooked?

In this episode, Tracy Young, Orton-Gillingham practitioner and host of The Literacy Keys Podcast, walks you through the most common dyslexia symptoms across four age groups: toddlers, elementary students, teenagers, and adults.

You’ll hear parent-friendly explanations about the subtle signs that most families and teachers miss. Whether you're noticing reading struggles in your preschooler, inconsistent spelling in your middle schooler, or lingering confusion in a young adult, this episode will help you connect the dots.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Sold a Story by Emily Hanford
• I'm Dyslexic - Not Stupid

Is essay writing a battle in your house? If the physical act of writing is draining all your child's mental energy, then you need a new tool.

Join Orton Gillingham Tutor Tracy Young as she explores mind maps, a visual and flexible planning tool that can turn writing frustration into celebration! This episode dives into why mind maps are especially effective for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia and provides practical, step-by-step guidance.

KEY MOMENTS

• [04:25] What is a Mind Map? A description of the tool: starting with a central idea, main points radiating outwards as major lines, and details/examples as smaller sub-branches.

• [07:10] Free Online Mind Maps: Discussion of resources like Zoom.com, Canva.com, and Mindmup.com that offer free online mind maps templates to create digital mind maps.

• [08:55] The 5-Step Process: The main steps for creating a mind map, including starting with a central idea, brainstorming main points, adding details, connecting ideas, and refining.

• [12:15] Mind Maps for Different Essay Types: Strategies for using mind maps to plan expository (informational), persuasive (argumentative), and narrative (story-telling) essays.

• [16:00] Essay Planning Example: A detailed walkthrough of creating a mind map to plan an expository essay on the character transformation of Percy Jackson.

• [22:00] Why Mind Maps Work: Explaining their effectiveness for students with dyslexia (visual organization) and dysgraphia (reduced writing load and non-linearity).

• [25:30] Teaching the Tool: The "I do, we do, you do" scaffolding approach for teaching someone how to use mind maps effectively, emphasizing patience and not rushing the process.

3 Resources for Free Online Mind Maps:

https://www.zoom.com/

https://www.canva.com/templates

https://www.mindmup.com/

This conversation explores the connection between dyslexia and success, highlighting how many innovative thinkers and leaders have thrived despite their challenges. The discussion emphasizes recognizing and leveraging strengths, navigating educational paths, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in career choices.

The episode also shares one person's symptoms of dyslexia and what a "bad dyslexic day" really feels like.

Takeaways

• Many successful individuals, like Whoopi Goldberg and Anderson Cooper, have dyslexia.
• Dyslexics often develop resilience and resourcefulness.
• Recognizing personal strengths is crucial for dyslexics.
• Career paths can vary greatly; higher education isn't for everyone.
• Exams can be challenging for dyslexics; alternative assessment methods are beneficial.

• Continuous learning and adaptability are key to career success.

• Leverage strengths rather than focusing solely on weaknesses.

Episode Keywords:

dyslexia, success, innovative thinkers, career paths, education, strengths, entrepreneurship, continuous learning, adaptability, dyslexic advantage, symptoms of dyslexia,

Does your child have Dyslexia and ADHD? Up to 40% of people with Dyslexia also have ADHD. Discover helpful hints to manage learning. You'll also want to ensure that ADHD doesn't mask their Dyslexia.

0:00 - Introduction Dyslexia and ADHD

1:53 - The Critical Question: ADHD, Dyslexia, or Both?

4:47 - Five Tips to Support Your Child

5:39 - Tip 1: Seek a Comprehensive Evaluation

9:55 - Tip 2: Structure, Structure, and More Structure

1:47 - Tip 3: Teach Organizational Skills Explicitly

14:38 - Tip 4: Leverage Technology

17:15 - Tip 5: Add Movement

Does your child struggle with math? There might be something going on in the brain that’s causing the struggle. In this episode we talk about a condition which is sometimes referred to as “math dyslexia.”

Learn about the neurological aspect, how it's diagnosed, along with practical strategies that can be used to help reduce the frustration. Best of all, we’ll share how to pronounce dyscalculia!

0:00 The Struggle and the Truth About "Math Dyslexia"

0:15 What the Episode Covers (Diagnosis, Strategies, Pronunciation)

0:40 Pronunciation of Dyscalculia and Word Morphology (Difficulty Counting)

1:30 What is Dyscalculia (Math Dyslexia) and separating it from Dyslexia

2:15 Analogy for Dyscalculia

3:00 Examples of Struggle

3:45 Common Symptoms of Dyscalculia

5:00 Impact on Daily Life

5:45 How is Dyscalculia Tested?

7:00 Comorbidity: The Connection to Dyslexia and Dysgraphia (The "3 Ds")

7:45 Strategies for Parents

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 offers a perspective on what many have said along the way, which hasn't always been pretty.

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.

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 carries negative connotations.
• Research on dyslexia has existed for decades but is not widely known.
• Being dyslexic does not mean you are less intelligent.
• 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.
• Failing is part of the learning process and can lead to growth.
• 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

Have you noticed signs of dysgraphia in your child and wondered, "What's the next step?" In this episode, we're here to share the process of testing for dysgraphia, and ensure your child has the dysgraphia treatment support they need to succeed.

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

Writing Frame Tool