The Dyslexia Life Hacks Show Matthew Head

When a life changing moment spawned a desire to understand herself more and figure out why she struggled with spelling and reading, our guest in this episode, Usha Patel, put aside all her years of training and experience as an Architect, and retrained as a Neurocognitive Therapist. 
After setting up her own therapy practice in London in 2008, Usha has helped countless children and parents with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD. Because everyone is different and each brain works differently, Usha introduces unique and bespoke solutions for each child.
In Usha’s therapy sessions, she discovers how each child learns through the process of play. Using play as an ice breaker and a way to connect with children on their level, Usha gains their trust and finds a much deeper understanding of how their brain works.
One method which is not widely used in the UK but has found much success with Usha is the Infinity walk Method. Developed in the 1980s by clinical psychologist Deborah Sunbeck. Infinity Walk is a therapeutic method for progressively developing coordination. It strives to improve the sensorimotor functioning of those who practise it. 
If you are a parent of a child with Dyslexia or ADHD, this episode is for you! 

Find Usha At:
WebsiteCase StudiesKey Topics:
What is Neurocognitive Therapy,How Neurocognitive Therapy could help you or your child,The Infinity Walk method, Reading techniques, andDyslexic challenges in the workplace.-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes.
For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What is it like working in the government? What is it like working in the front bench of the government? What is it like leading a major government department through a deadly pandemic? What is it like doing all that, with Dyslexia? 
Well, that was the job of the well known and proud dyslexic, Matt Hancock.
Most people in the UK will know Matt Hancock as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and he became a very familiar face during the COVID -19 pandemic.
What most people may not know is that Matt Hancock is a very proud dyslexic person. 
In this episode of the podcast, Matt tells us about how his dyslexic strengths helped him to reach a senior level in government, in particular, Big Picture thinking, and Communication.
Now as a backbencher in government, Matt remains a big advocate for the dyslexic community and ensures that their needs are being heard by the very top, through the introduction of the “Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill” to parliament.
In this episode you will hear what led to Matt receiving a late diagnosis of dyslexia at the age of 18, while studying at Oxford University and the help that he then experienced which in turn, has supported him throughout his life.

Recorded in person at The Dyslexia Show 2024 on 15th March 2024. 

Find Matt at:
WebsiteAccessible Learning FoundationKey Topics:
What is it like working in UK Politics as someone with dyslexia?UK GovernmentCOVID -19  The Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training BillThe formation of the Accessible Learning Foundation-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes
For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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Do you find that, because of your dyslexia, you are interested in loads of different things which seemingly don't go together!? Our host is an Automotive Engineer turned Dyslexic Podcaster, not an obvious link.
Well, this is the theme of this podcast.
This is a truly amazing life story of navigating dyslexia, travelling around Europe, writing, teaching and Eating Psychology Coaching! 
In this episode we meet an amazing person, Kathy Elkind! Kathy has lived a full and exciting life all while navigating the challenges of dyslexia.
I think you can agree that, on the face of it, writing a book, planning for a 3 month expedition around Europe, training to be a coach and coaching people in Eating Psychology, and teaching don’t all naturally link together. But when you throw a Dyslexic mind into that mix. Suddenly it starts to make sense.
Kathy's story demonstrates how many dyslexic people are multi-interests people. Not only that, when we find something we’re passionate about we go ALL IN! 
However, people with dyslexia can often feel guilty for having multiple interests which don't seem to marry together. When you listen to this episode you will feel inspired and empowered to keep up with all of your interests.

Kathy’s Book “To Walk it is to See it”
Key Topics:
What is an Eating Psychology Coach?Teacher’s approach to Dyslexia through the decades,Taking an Adult Gap Year to go Travelling,How to support children with dyslexia or suspected dyslexia, Writing a book,Discovering ways to feel positive about your dyslexia!-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes
For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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When Nathan was diagnosed with dyslexia at 35, he couldn’t believe that this is what he had battelling with all through school and university and then in the workplace. And then finally with the diagnosis of dyslexia was able to access the support needed to thrive in work. 
Later, Nathan set-up as a coach to help others with neurodiveristies like dyslexia and ADHD so that they too can thrive in the workplace.
In this episode of the podcast, Nathan shares with Matthew Head his journey with Dyslexia and gives insights of techniques he uses with his coaching clients to help them find solutions on their own. 
Nathan is a coach, trainer and facilitator who has been focusing on 'neurodiversity in the workplace' since 2015. Nathan supports teams and individuals to help them amplify their strengths and manage the things they find difficult.
Nathan has worked across the technology, engineering, commercial and non-profit sectors in leadership roles. 
In addition to Nathan's experience in the workplace, he also has personal experience within the family of neurodiversity, shaping his innovative approach to supporting individuals and teams to be their most effective.
Nathan is accredited with the British Dyslexia Association as a workplace needs assessor, in addition to holding qualifications in coaching from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the international coaching federation (ICF).
Key Topics:
Coaching,Finding you have Dyslexia later in life,Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism.Find Nathan at:
LinkedInWebsite-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes


For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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What is Dyscalculia? 
Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.
 (BDA Guidance on Dyscalculia) 
In this episode of the podcast, Matt Head speaks with the founder of the Dyslexia Show, Arran Smith ahead of the 2024 event which brings Dyscalculia into the show to help raise awareness and help people find the support they need in this area of neurodiversity not often discussed. March 3rd 2024 is Dyscalculia Awareness Day so it makes sense to raise awareness about it on this podcast this week.
The Dyslexia Show, the foremost exhibition in the UK devoted to dyslexia and neurodiversity, aims primarily to empower and provide understanding to those affected by dyslexia and neurodiversity. It endeavours to cultivate a more profound insight into the diverse ways in which education, parents, the workplace, and individuals themselves can extend support and awareness.
Arran shared with us how the Dyslexia Show Started and how it’s growing and the aspirations of the Dyslexia Show in years to come.
This is Arran’s third appearance on the podcast. If you want to listen to more from Arran then you can listen to Episode 17 and 45!
Key Topics:
Dyslexia ShowDyscalculia ShowFind Arran, Dyslexia Show and Dyscalculia Show at
Arran's LinkedInDyslexia ShowDyscalculia ShowKeywords:
Dyslexia, Dyslexic, Dyslexia Show, Dyscalculia -
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes
For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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It's a topic not often talked about, the pressure  fathers feel to be both successful at work or as an entrepreneur AND be a great dad. 
For fathers, it can often feel like you get pulled in opposite directions by others but also by themselves to want to be a great dad and a successful career.
Historically, fathers have been the bread winners whose role it is to financially support their family by bringing in a secure income to protect the family. Today it is also common that fathers should (and want to) be more involved at home with the children.
This can often be a conflict between the two and often feel like as you succeed in one area you start to fail in the other.
In this week's episode, our host, Matthew Head is joined by entrepreneur and coach Lee Eldridge who specialises in coach Dads who wants to balance work and being a Dad better. 
Lee discovered he was Dyslexic at University in his 20’s and today he believes that his unique dyslexic strengths makes him the effective coach he is today.
Lee wants to help dads that struggle to focus and have a lack of energy to be able to engage with their children and become better leaders!


Key Topics:
Discovering have dyslexia in your 20’s,Being a natural coach because of dyslexic strengths,Sports coaching,Being a dad whilst juggling having a successful career.Find Lee at:
Thriving Business DadYouTube ChannelLinkedIn-
Proudly sponsored by neurobox. Working together with organisations and employees neurobox  builds neuroinclusive workplaces. They do this by creating awareness, improving wellbeing, and breaking down barriers through their tailored end-to-end support programmes
For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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