

Dyslexia Journey | Real Stories & Strategies for Thriving with Dyslexia
Sonja and Nick
Is your child struggling with reading? You're not alone. Dyslexia Journey helps parents understand dyslexia, navigate school systems, and support their child's confidence and growth. Hosts Sonja and Nick share practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent just getting a diagnosis, fighting for accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community and connection, this is the podcast that walks beside you. New episodes every two weeks.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2024 • 8min
Are 21% of Americans Illiterate and how does it relate to Dyslexia?
Send us Fan MailA discussion of literacy rates has trended recently on social media. The statistic most commonly seen is 21% illiteracy in the United states. Is it true that 21% of Americans can’t read, and how does it relate to dyslexia?We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Dec 11, 2024 • 30min
How the System is Stacked Against Dyslexic Kids
Send us Fan MailToday's discussion is a response to "How the Ivy League Broke America" by David Brooks in the Dec 2024 issue of The Atlantic (published online November 14, 2024): https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/12/meritocracy-college-admissions-social-economic-segregation/680392/ (NB: Paywall)We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Dec 4, 2024 • 41min
Tips and Tricks from a Dyslexia Specialist! ft. Catherine Scholl, Dyslexia Educator and Advocate
Send us Fan MailAre you wondering how to get the best education for your dyslexic child? Hear the inside scoop directly from a special education and dyslexia specialist.Catherine Scholl brings a personal and professional perspective to educational advocacy, with extensive experience in Special Education, IEP, and 504 processes. She has worn many hats as a parent, special education teacher, and advocate, offering a well-rounded approach to helping families. Catherine holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master’s in Education. She is also a certified Special Education Teacher and a certified Dyslexia Interventionist. She specializes in conducting academic evaluations and guiding families to ensure students receive the support they need for educational and personal success. Catherine is a member of COPAA and adheres to its Code of Ethics as a non-attorney advocate.You can reach Catherine at https://www.righttoreadadvocacy.com/ or email her directly at cscholl@righttoreadadvocacy.com.We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Nov 27, 2024 • 15min
How Dyslexia Affects Speaking! (Episode 4 Rebroadcast)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we discuss ways that dyslexia can affect speaking, as well as accommodations that can help.We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Nov 20, 2024 • 32min
More Dyslexia Legal Rights! ft. Attorney Laura Heneghan (Part 2)
Send us Fan MailAre you confused about the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP. Have you heard the term, "Free and Appropriate Public Education" and want to know what it means? Do you want to know your legal rights when interacting with your kid's school? Listen to part 2 of this interview with special education attorney Laura Heneghan to learn about all that and more!You can find part 1 here: https://dyslexiajourney.buzzsprout.com/2077817/episodes/16095504-dyslexia-legal-rights-ft-attorney-laura-heneghan-part-1Attorney Laura Heneghan proudly practices solely in the area of special education,representing children and adolescents with disabilities who are not receiving appropriate services from their public school district. She began practicing in this area after experiencing this process as the parent of a child with disabilities, including a son with dyslexia. She brings this experience, her passion, and her unique collaborative abilities to her clients to change their outcomes for the better.In addition to her law degree, Laura holds a Certificate in Special Education Advocacy from the PELE Clinic at William and Mary Law School. In order to better serve her clients with dyslexia, she has completed a 60-hour course in Orton Gillingham Plus, an evidence-based program based on the science of reading and approved by the International Dyslexia Association.She is a Board Member of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. She provides Pro Bono legal services to immigrant children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in Probate Court through Children’s Advocates of Connecticut. Laura previously served on the Board of Directors for the Western Connecticut Center for Human Rights, as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem for CASA of SW Connecticut, and as an Educational Surrogate appointed by the Connecticut Department of Education on abuse and neglect cases.You can find Laura online at https://sped.esq/Here are some links that Laura recommends:https://www.smartkidswithld.org/https://www.copaa.org/https://www.wrightslaw.com/We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Nov 13, 2024 • 34min
Dyslexia Legal Rights! ft. Attorney Laura Heneghan (Part 1)
Send us Fan MailAre you confused about the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP. Have you heard the term, "Free and Appropriate Public Education" and want to know what it means? Do you want to know your legal rights when interacting with your kid's school? Listen to part 1 of this interview with special education attorney Laura Heneghan to learn about all that and more!Attorney Laura Heneghan proudly practices solely in the area of special education,representing children and adolescents with disabilities who are not receiving appropriate services from their public school district. She began practicing in this area after experiencing this process as the parent of a child with disabilities, including a son with dyslexia. She brings this experience, her passion, and her unique collaborative abilities to her clients to change their outcomes for the better.In addition to her law degree, Laura holds a Certificate in Special Education Advocacy from the PELE Clinic at William and Mary Law School. In order to better serve her clients with dyslexia, she has completed a 60-hour course in Orton Gillingham Plus, an evidence-based program based on the science of reading and approved by the International Dyslexia Association.She is a Board Member of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. She provides Pro Bono legal services to immigrant children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in Probate Court through Children’s Advocates of Connecticut. Laura previously served on the Board of Directors for the Western Connecticut Center for Human Rights, as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem for CASA of SW Connecticut, and as an Educational Surrogate appointed by the Connecticut Department of Education on abuse and neglect cases.You can find Laura online at https://sped.esq/Here are some links that Laura recommends:https://www.smartkidswithld.org/https://www.copaa.org/https://www.wrightslaw.com/We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Nov 6, 2024 • 20min
Your Top Dyslexia Questions Answered!
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we respond to some recent viewer/listener questions.The previous episodes we mentioned are:Managing Dyslexia With Mind Mapping ft. Darius Namdaran, Educator, Advocate, and Entrepreneur: https://youtu.be/df5eVtP12YMThe Flash Method for Mastering Dyslexia ft. Educator Kim Parra: https://youtu.be/_ck4k_rWFgsHow To Support Neurodiversity in the Workplace ft. Ed Thompson, author of “A Hidden Force”: https://youtu.be/a3Dn5SG2jJEEducating the World About Dyslexia ft. YouTuber and Coach Arije-Aike de Haas: https://youtu.be/YUE6xRJ81aQAnd here's the article about orthographic (surface) dyslexia that we quoted: https://guidingexceptionalparents.com/orthographic-dyslexia/We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Oct 29, 2024 • 12min
The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Dyslexia Diagnosis (Episode 19 Rebroadcast)
Send us Fan MailWe're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Oct 23, 2024 • 56min
The Essential College Application Guide for Dyslexics ft. Catherine Scholl, Educator & Advocate
Send us Fan MailIf you are a dyslexic high school kid or the parent of a kid with dyslexia who is considering college, you need to listen to this interview! Chock-full of guidance about the college application process and the college selection process for dyslexic kids, this episode is essential viewing for anyone involved in the process!Catherine Scholl brings a personal and professional perspective to educational advocacy, with extensive experience in Special Education, IEP, and 504 processes. She has worn many hats as a parent, special education teacher, and advocate, offering a well-rounded approach to helping families. Catherine holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master’s in Education. She is also a certified Special Education Teacher and a certified Dyslexia Interventionist. She specializes in conducting academic evaluations and guiding families to ensure students receive the support they need for educational and personal success. Catherine is a member of COPAA and adheres to its Code of Ethics as a non-attorney advocate.You can reach Catherine at https://www.righttoreadadvocacy.com/ or email her directly at cscholl@righttoreadadvocacy.com.We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney

Oct 16, 2024 • 10min
Our Top 7 Reasons for Hope About Dyslexia!
Send us Fan MailFor Dyslexia Awareness Month, here are our top seven reasons to be hopeful about dyslexia and for dyslexic kids!We're Sonja and Nick — parents of a dyslexic kid and your guides on this journey. We created Dyslexia Journey because we know how isolating it can feel when your child struggles with reading and school isn't helping. Every episode brings practical strategies, expert interviews with psychologists, educators, and reading specialists, plus real stories from dyslexic adults who've thrived. Whether you're a parent navigating diagnosis, IEPs, and accommodations, or a dyslexic adult looking for community — this show is for you. Got a question or a guest idea? Reach out at parentingdyslexiajourney@gmail.com. Also check out our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingDyslexiaJourney


