Accommodation is not an advantage, it is access.

In our latest episode, Ann Thomas speaks with Chandana Singh — lawyer, special educator, dyslexia advocate, and founder of Advocacy for Dyslexia. Chandana also helped establish the Office of Learning Support at Ashoka University, where she has worked extensively with neurodivergent students navigating higher education.

Together, they unpack:

•⁠ ⁠🧠 what dyslexia actually is

•⁠ ⁠📚 the myths people still believe

•⁠ ⁠💔 how shame impacts neurodivergent students

•⁠ ⁠🏫 why accommodations are not “special treatment”

•⁠ ⁠✨ and how different ways of thinking deserve support, not stigma

This conversation is for:

Parents trying to understand their child better, educators looking to build supportive classrooms, and neurodivergent individuals navigating school, college, work, and self-worth.

📌Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and guest intro

01:30 Chandana’s advocacy journey

02:51 What dyslexia really is

05:59 Stigma and common myths

09:32 Why stigma persists

13:26 Teachers and support pillars

14:54 Accommodations vs remediation

20:43 Different dyslexia experiences

22:25 Real student stories

25:25 Pressure and perfectionism

30:46 How parents seek support

31:51 School steps and accommodations

34:52 Bridging support in college

35:26 College Self Advocacy

36:50 Building Support Centers

39:07 Hiring Empathetic Staff

41:58 Parents As Allies

45:18 Disclosure And Accommodations

49:04 ACT For Parents

54:34 Spotting Real Inclusion

58:59 Strength-Based Mindset

01:02:36 Myth Busting Dyslexia

01:05:06 Final Takeaways

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a parent, teacher, student, or anyone trying to better understand neurodivergence and learning differences.