Literacy Untangled Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jennie Sjursen
Does your child struggle with reading and writing? Do you suspect they have dyslexia? Real world answers to all your questions about dyslexia and ways to help your child is exactly what your get when you tune into the Literacy Untangled Podcast with your host, educator and dyslexia interventionist, Jennie Sjursen. Her specialty? Breaking down the complexities of dyslexia into everyday language, strategies, and action steps. Tune in, get inspired, and discover why parents across the globe reach out to Jennie for advice and support on all things related to dyslexia, reading, writing, academic testing, school supports, and IEP’s. Start finding answers to your questions today!
Many students with dyslexia experience an added layer of anxiety as they anticipate the start of a new school year. Between different routines, coursework, and teachers, it’s common for dyslexic students to feel overwhelmed when the summer starts to wind down. Because of that, I’ve created an eight step plan to set students and parents up for success during the new school year.
In this episode, I explore eight tools that help students build their confidence and self-advocacy skills. I share ways to collaborate on goal-setting and building effective habits that help students address any challenges they may have experienced in previous years. Plus, I highlight my top tip for all parents who are preparing for a new school year – it’s simple, but very effective!
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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- How to start crafting an action plan for a successful school year
- Why it’s crucial for students to understand their accommodations and IEP
- Examples of assistive technology tools that can help students with their schoolwork
- Tips for developing a homework routine
- Strategies for creating an organized system for school supplies
Resources Mentioned:
- Download the accompanying PDF: 8 Steps for Starting the School Year on the Right Foot
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
I recently took a 3-day Writing Revolution training course, and in this episode, I’m sharing key takeaways and unpacking how this methodology can be applied to writing instruction for students with (and without) dyslexia.
When I discovered that 75% of third and fourth grade teachers don't feel prepared to teach writing, I can’t say I was surprised. In my teaching program, we mainly focused on reading comprehension, not the foundations of reading or writing. As a result, the majority of teachers lack a structured, systematic, and explicit writing approach. That’s where The Writing Revolution (TWR) comes in.
TWR is an evidence-based approach that aims to improve expository writing skills among students. The program starts at the sentence level and gradually adds new layers, weaving note taking in along the way. Once students reach the five paragraph level, they can confidently craft academic essays, term papers, and eventually apply skills in a professional setting with business and scientific reports.
Since introducing elements of TWR with several of my students, the majority have responded that going through the steps and writing has become so much easier. Join me on this episode to learn more about TWR and the lasting impact it can have on students with dyslexia.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- An overview of how dyslexia can impact writing skills
- Why so many gen-ed kids struggle with writing
- The long-term effects of poor writing instruction
- What the TWR approach looks like in practice
- Why I’m going to be teaching my students note taking alongside sentence building
- What I like about TWR’s version of graphic organizers
Resources Mentioned:
- The Writing Revolution
- Episode 19. Dysgraphia - The Forgotten ‘Dys’
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
The 504 Plan and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) were both created under federal laws and provide accommodations and support to students with disabilities at no cost to the family. They share the same end goal, but they differ in the level of intervention and individualization offered.
The purpose of a 504 Plan is to provide a blueprint for how the school will provide support and remove barriers for the student. An IEP takes it a step further and outlines a specific set of accommodation services. In this episode, I expand on examples of what these two frameworks look like in practice and explain who qualifies for them.
If you want to learn more about IEPs and the process associated with creating one for your child, check out Setting Up The IEP and 12 Questions To Ask At A Dyslexia IEP Meeting.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- Examples of the support that a 504 Plan provides
- Why a student who doesn't qualify for an IEP may still qualify for a 504 Plan
- What to do if you disagree with your child’s school regarding the 504 Plan or IEP
- Requirements for IEP eligibility
- The strict legal requirements required for creating an IEP
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
In this episode, we explore how your child's evaluation informs the structure of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the educational decisions you make for them. I explain the two requirements that must be met for your child to qualify for an IEP, share examples of learning goals and services, and highlight some red flags that you should look out for during these conversations.
After it’s determined that your child has a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), the first decision that needs to be made is whether your child qualifies for a 504 or an IEP. I get into the nuances between the two options and dive into the IEP process. I detail what should be included in your child’s IEP and what kind of conversations you can expect to have with the specialists at your child’s school.
Listen in to learn more about how to set your child up for success with a goal-oriented and bespoke IEP.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- Why more goals do not make for a stronger IEP
- What to do there is a wide divide between what the school is offering and what you want for your child
- The two most commonly-known and respected Orton-Gillingham approaches
- What terms and qualifications to look out for in your child’s IEP
Resources Mentioned:
- Want more information about what an evaluation should include? Check out our Evaluation Checklist!
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
One of the most common misconceptions about dyslexia is that everyone who is diagnosed with it experiences the same challenges. Because dyslexia is a spectrum disorder, no two dyslexics are exactly the same. On today’s episode, I break down the three main types of dyslexia, what characterizes them, and why it’s so important to understand what type of dyslexia your child has.
The three types of dyslexia are Phonological, Rapid Automatic Naming (RAN), and Double Deficit. These are the umbrella terms that pinpoint exactly what a dyslexic struggles with. The severity is characterized as mild, medium-to-moderate, or severe.
Phonological Dyslexia refers to difficulties in matching sounds to symbols and breaking down the sounds of language. RAN Dyslexia is typically linked to reading processing and speed. Double Deficit Dyslexia is a combination of the two and refers to people who struggle with naming speed and identifying the sounds in words.
Listen in to learn more about the signs and symptoms of all three types of dyslexia.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- The three original categories of dyslexia
- Subcategories that are popping up in some dyslexia discourse
- Why Phonological dyslexics typically have a low reading stamina
- Why RAN dyslexics often struggle with idioms or sayings
- An analogy to help illustrate why no two dyslexics are the same
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and I’m celebrating by highlighting the successful dyslexics in my life and those around us. One of the biggest inspirations behind my career and this podcast has been my dad, Arne Sjursen. He was diagnosed with dyslexia almost two decades ago at the age of 42 and describes the mix of emotions that he felt when he found out.
My dad was a student in New York City in the 1940s and 1950s. Back then, there was a lack of compassion and understanding of different learning abilities. He was often forced to read in front of his classmates, which resulted in humiliation, bullying, and poor grades. He eventually made it to college at The University of Tampa, but because he was constrained to the same timed tests as his non-dyslexic peers, he struggled to keep his grades up.
Despite his frustrations as a student, my dad went on to become a successful businessman. He was known for his compelling presentations, the way he could read the room, and his sharp memory. In our conversation, he shares his advice for other people struggling with dyslexia and his message for parents of children with dyslexia. He also talks about how he has fallen in love with reading during this stage of his life and has been continuing his education with the newfound reading comprehension tools that he’s gained
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- How my dad discovered that he was dyslexic
- The most helpful tools that my dad has learned since being diagnosed
- What people get wrong or misunderstand about dyslexia
- Why my dad wouldn’t change his diagnosis
- Ways to support your child with dyslexia
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
Dyslexia diagnostic evaluations are individually administered and look specifically for your child's strengths and weaknesses, and how greatly their skills differ from their peers. On today’s episode, I break down exactly what a good evaluation should include, the difference between a screening and diagnostic evaluation, and what skills the assessments look at. I also explain the information that you need to provide for your child’s evaluation, including any previous interventions and family history, as well as the sub-tests that should be included in the evaluation.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- The primary focus of dyslexia screenings
- What a norm-referenced assessment is and how it’s used in dyslexia evaluations
- Why the evaluator needs to know if your child’s school has previously tried any interventions
- The most commonly used assessments
- Examples of the three areas of phonological processing that you child should be tested on
- Skills and subjects outside of reading and writing that should be evaluated
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
We’ve established what dyslexia is and how to spot it in your child, so what’s the next step? On today’s episode, I walk you through how to get your child assessed and identified as dyslexic. I explain who you should consult with, how to find the right neuropsychologist for your family, and the two paths you can take to get your child evaluated. I break down the pros and cons of both the public and private options, and I lay out what to do once you have the full evaluation report.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- Common misconceptions about being diagnosed with dyslexia
- The type of professional clinicians who assess specific learning disabilities
- Why it’s so important to check the evaluation requirements of your child’s school
- The expected timeline of public school and private evaluation routes
- What to do if your child's school tells you there's no evidence your child has a disability
Resources Mentioned:
- International Dyslexia Association
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
Welcome to the first episode of Literacy Untangled! Today, I’m breaking down the International Dyslexia Association’s definition of dyslexia and describing the outcomes of someone living with this neurological disability.
One in five people is diagnosed with dyslexia, but what does it actually mean? In short, it unexpectedly affects a person's ability to process written language and can lead to problems with reading comprehension, limited vocabulary, and limited background knowledge. Tune in to learn more about what dyslexia is and how it shows up in learning environments.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- What a neurobiological disability is
- Examples of seeing and processing information differently
- Why people with dyslexia often struggle with reading comprehension
- What is included (and excluded) under the umbrella of Specific Learning Disabilities
- Characteristics and consequences of dyslexia
Resources Mentioned:
- International Dyslexia Association
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
According to the National Institute of Health, dyslexia can be identified with 92% accuracy by the age of five and a half. In today’s episode, I dive into some of the common signs of dyslexia and what it may look like in your child at different development stages. I talk about the warning signs to look out for in preschool and kindergarten-aged children and how those challenges affect students as they continue on to elementary and middle school. I also touch on the consequences of little-to-no effective interventions.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
- The spectrum of dyslexia
- What you might notice about your dyslexic child at different ages
- Why a dyslexic student’s writing is often not a true representation of their understanding of a topic
- The age where word memorization stops working as a coping mechanism
- How dyslexia affects a child’s self-esteem
Connect:
- Visit my website
- Sign up for my newsletter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Join me on Facebook
- Download my FREE guide: Dyslexia Defined
I think my child has dyslexia, where do I start? We just got the dyslexia diagnosis, what do we do next? These are some of the big questions that ex-special educator turned dyslexia interventionist, Jennie Sjursen, digs into on the Literacy Untangled Podcast. Jennie's specialties: breaking down the complexities of dyslexia into everyday language, strategies, and action steps. Think of this as your one-stop dyslexia shop. If it'll help you find a way to support your child through their dyslexia/neurodiverse journey, we'll dig into it! Let's get started!