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Summer doesn’t have to mean worksheets at the kitchen table or battles over reading logs. In this comeback episode of Dyslexia Decoded, Teacher Maggie shares a different approach to summer learning — one rooted in curiosity, creativity, imagination, and real-life experiences.

Through personal stories about growing up with boxes of random car parts, raising a dyslexic son who builds incredible creations with a hot glue gun and a hammer, and the inspiring story of dyslexic paleontologist Jack Horner, this episode explores how children often learn best when they are free to wonder, build, experiment, and explore.

Maggie introduces the simple “SPARK” framework for meaningful summer learning:

✨ Say Yes to Questions
✨ Play With Purpose
✨ Add Reading Naturally
✨ Real-Life Learning Counts
✨ Keep Curiosity Alive

Whether your child is homeschooled, attends public school, struggles academically, or simply needs space to rediscover wonder, this episode will encourage you to see learning differently this summer.

Because sometimes the most meaningful education happens far away from worksheets — in forts, forests, conversations, inventions, and curiosity-filled childhood moments.

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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In this heartfelt and empowering episode, I sit down with Liz—a devoted mom, passionate advocate, and powerful voice in the world of neurodiversity. Liz opens up about her family’s journey with dyslexia, the emotional highs and lows of seeking support, and the moment everything changed with the discovery of the Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS) program.

Together, we explore what it means to raise a neurodivergent child in a world built for the neurotypical, how typing became a turning point in her son’s confidence and communication, and the deep transformation that happens when parents step into advocacy.

Whether you’re a parent navigating similar challenges, an educator seeking insight, or simply someone who cares about creating a more inclusive world, Liz’s story will leave you inspired, encouraged, and equipped with hope.

Interested in trying TTRS?

Use discount code: MGA

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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Is your child being recommended for retention? Are you feeling pressure after spring testing—especially if your child didn’t pass the 3rd grade TCAP?

In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey as a teacher who once recommended retention, what I learned the hard way, and why holding a child back is rarely the right move—especially for students with dyslexia or other learning differences.

We’ll walk through:

• What the research actually says (with sources you can find and share)
• Why schools may be defaulting to retention after the pandemic
• The emotional toll it takes on a child’s self-worth
• What actually works instead of repeating a grade
• Your rights under Tennessee’s TCAP law—and how to advocate with confidence

This is more than a data dump. It’s a guide to help you walk into those school meetings with clarity, compassion, and courage.

PLUS: Download the free printable Parent Resource Guide linked in the show notes to take with you into your next meeting.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pkuBPx6ehGZPXL3Zd8fFmid4VtKvHOCT/view?usp=drivesdk

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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Testing season is here—and if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. In this episode, Teacher Maggie (a reading specialist and fellow dyslexic) shares heartfelt encouragement, practical test-taking strategies, and her own 4th grade testing story that still makes her laugh today.

Learn how to help your child feel confident with tools like “Dumbo’s feather,” master key strategies for multiple-choice questions and reading comprehension, and reframe the way we talk about standardized testing. Plus, a powerful reminder: tests are just data—not destiny.

This is the perfect listen for families walking through TCAP or any spring standardized test with a child who learns differently.

💚

👉 Stay tuned for next week’s follow-up episode on why retention is rarely the right move for struggling readers.

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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He was adopted at birth with a promise—one his working-class parents were determined to keep: He would go to college.

But what happens when a child learns differently… and dreams bigger than school can contain?

In this mystery-style episode of Dyslexia Decoded, Teacher Maggie takes you on a powerful journey through the life of one of the most influential minds of our time. From adoption and academic struggles to bold decisions, beautiful design, and an unforgettable quote about living boldly—this story will challenge the way you see dyslexia, education, and success itself.

Spoiler alert: He didn’t fit in. He didn’t finish college.

He didn’t code…

But he did change the world.

And the way he thought? It might sound a lot like your child—or even you.

✨ Tune in for a story of vision, resilience, and the quiet strength of thinking differently.

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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What if the very thing that makes learning hard is the same thing that makes brilliance possible?

In this inspiring episode, Teacher Maggie shares a personal story from her childhood that shaped how she viewed intelligence—and how that belief was ultimately turned upside down. From a painful moment at a family barbecue to discovering her own unique strengths, she invites listeners into a journey of rethinking what it means to be “smart.”

You’ll also hear powerful, real-life stories of dyslexic thinkers who’ve changed the world—John Hoke III of Nike, glass artist Paul Stankard, and the legendary Rudy Ruettiger. Backed by eye-opening statistics and heartfelt encouragement, this episode is a rally cry for parents, students, and educators to see dyslexia not as a limitation, but as a limitless gift.

Tune in, be inspired, and remember: the world doesn’t need more average thinkers—it needs more dyslexic dreamers.

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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Typing isn’t just a practical skill—it can be life changing for dyslexic students! In this episode, I break down why learning to type can remove barriers, boost confidence, and even reinforce reading and spelling skills.

I’ll share my personal experience diving into touch typing (spoiler: it’s not as easy as it looks!) and the fascinating science behind why typing activates key areas of the brain that support literacy. Plus, I’ll explore some of the best typing programs out there—what works, what doesn’t, and how to help your child build this essential skill the right way.

If you’ve ever wondered whether typing is worth the effort for your dyslexic learner, this episode is for you! Let’s rethink how we teach writing and give our students a tool they can use for life.

🔹 The connection between typing, reading, and spelling

🔹 Why traditional keyboarding classes don’t work for dyslexic students

🔹 How to introduce typing the right way (accuracy before speed!)

🔹 The best programs for dyslexic learners—Typing.com, TypingClub, and TTRS

Tune in and let’s unlock a new way to support our students! 🎧✨

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚

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Struggling in school can feel like an endless battle—especially when words refuse to stay in place and reading feels impossible. But what if those struggles weren’t a sign of failure, but of a different kind of genius?

In this episode of Dyslexia Decoded, we uncover the story of a young boy who faced relentless challenges in the classroom but refused to let them define him. Instead of giving up, he discovered a world where his imagination could run wild—a world that would one day change entertainment forever.

Join me as we unravel the journey of a mind that saw beyond the page, proving that sometimes, the greatest stories come from those who struggle to read them.

🎬 Tune in to discover the incredible story of resilience, creativity, and an unexpected superpower.

Thank you for listening to Dyslexia Decoded! Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and progress always beats perfection.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you found this story inspiring, please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

Until next time, stay strong, stay curious, and stay fearless. 💚