Is Your Dyslexic Child Getting the Wrong Help? with Kris Vassel and Jamie Lesko | OpenEd

When your child struggles with reading, it's easy to grasp at any solution that promises to help. But what if the very interventions you're being told will work are actually making things worse?

In this episode, we dive deep into the dangerous myths surrounding dyslexia that are preventing kids from getting the help they actually need. From vision therapy to colored overlays, reading specialists Kris Vassel and Jaime Lesko reveal why these popular 'treatments' don't work—and what science-backed approaches actually do.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or homeschool educator, this conversation will change how you think about reading intervention and give you the tools to advocate for what your child really needs.

00:00 – Welcome & Why Dyslexia Myths Persist

02:00 – Meet the Experts: Kris Vassel & Jaime Lesko

04:00 – The Most Harmful Myths (Vision, Reversals, and More)

06:00 – The Biggest Myth: "Dyslexic Kids Can't Learn to Read"

08:00 – What "Research-Based" Really Means

10:00 – The Science of Reading Explained

12:00 – Data-Driven Intervention: How to Know What's Working

14:00 – What "Intervention" and "Assessment" Actually Mean

17:00 – The RTI (Response to Intervention) Framework

19:00 – Why Fidelity Matters: Curriculum & Training

22:00 – Choosing the Right Program: Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, and More

25:00 – The Investment Required: Training, Time, and Teamwork

28:00 – Support for Homeschool & Open Ed Families

31:00 – When to Seek Professional Help (and the "Second Person Theory")

34:00 – Reading at Home: Daily Habits That Make a Difference

38:00 – How to Choose Books at the Right Level

40:00 – Handling Reading Errors & Building Confidence

42:00 – The Best Resources for Parents (Books, Websites, Programs)

44:00 – Final Advice: Patience, Celebration, and Next Steps

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