The Writing Glitch: Hack Dysgraphia No Pencil Required

Cheri Dotterer

The Writing Glitch is brought to you by Dotterer Educational Consulting. Our Founder and Owner, Cheri Dotterer, is the host. Build courage, compassion, and collaboration to help students thrive and grow leaders that transcend a lifetime, regardless of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, using sensory-motor processing and neuroscience-based instructional interventions. No Pencil Required! We interview teachers, therapists, and parents about how they have seen a transformation in children having these disabilities and co-morbid conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They share how they help students grow and prosper. We believe we can grow 110 million leaders together by building skills, applying knowledge, and transcending futures. Join us to hack dysgraphia. No Pencil Required. Each episode contains one intervention to help you support students with writing challenges the next day you are in your classroom. These interventions are explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory. They are designed to support ALL students through targeted, daily visual-perceptual, visual-motor, and memory interventions. These interventions benefit all students and harm none. All students have access to writing regardless of their status in the classroom. The interventions were created to take up to 30 seconds to 2 minutes of your classroom time. Strategic lesson planning increases classroom engagement. All interventions can be adapted for students with physical disabilities because they support the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and well-being of all students. In addition, these interventions impact all subject matter classrooms. Whether you are teaching English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music, or art, these interventions will benefit your classroom atmosphere across ALL grade levels. You have put your blood, sweat, and tears into investing in your education and children. Don’t let a misunderstanding about this disability stop you from providing best practices. In case you don’t know me. I’m Cheri Dotterer, 2022 Dysgraphia Expert of the Year. This honor was bestowed on me by Global Health and Pharma Magazine. In 2023, they awarded my company the Best Dysgraphia Professional Development Program. It took challenges at home and on the job to wake me up to the impact dysgraphia has on all students. Struggling my entire life with communication issues, I was mistaken that only students with learning disabilities could have dysgraphia. My thoughts shifted when my gifted daughter asked for help with spelling. My son struggles with handwriting. Then, a parent asked me why her child could read and have trouble writing. Finding answers became the drive that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s a big shock when you discover how pervasive writing difficulties are and how little people know about how to help–even OTs. I used to think I was the only OT who struggled with understanding dysgraphia. It turns out many have questions. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists are not trained to teach. Teachers are. Occupational, speech, and physical therapists are trained in neuroscience. Teachers are not. Let this podcast be your first line of defense to help your students transcend their learning disabilities. Show your school district how much you genuinely care about all of your students by sharing it with your colleagues. After each episode, I challenge you to share your key takeaway from the podcast in our FREE yet private community. Share your student wins. Get support on the challenges. Join The Writing Glitch Community. https://thewritingglitch.com/ Connect with Cheri at www.cheridotterer.com or info@thewritingglitch.com

  1. The Glitch Was Never the Kids — It Was Us

    05/01/2025

    The Glitch Was Never the Kids — It Was Us

    After three seasons and a decade-long journey into the heart of dysgraphia, Cheri Dotterer records her final episode of The Writing Glitch. But this isn’t the end — it’s a beginning. In this emotional farewell, Cheri reflects on the reason she started the podcast, reads the powerful IMPACT Teacher Manifesto, and reveals the inspiration behind her next chapter. Learn how Esther’s story shaped Cheri’s own transformation, and how you — yes, you — are being called to rise, lead, and teach from a place of wisdom, not worksheets. If you’ve ever felt like your classroom could be more than standards and scripts, this episode is your invitation. 👉 Download the IMPACT Teacher Manifesto [link in show notes] 📧 Email your story: cheri@cheridotterer.com 🎧 Stay tuned for the launch of a new and improved podcast, Fall 2025. ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 00:45 - Why I started The Writing Glitch 02:30 - What was broken: It wasn’t the students 03:40 - The glitch inside all of us 04:20 - A look back: the Esther connection 05:25 - Personal transformation through the hero’s journey 06:20 - The IMPACT Teacher Manifesto (Full Reading) 10:30 - What’s next: New podcast, new purpose 12:10 - Calling all TpT Teachers: Let me share your journey 13:05 - Introducing The Purpose-Filled Teacher podcast 14:15 - From pressure to purpose: A new kind of classroom 15:00 - Download the manifesto + share your story 15:45 - Final farewell: “You were put here for such a time as this” **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer  *********************************************************************** HASHTAGS #TheWritingGlitch #cheri  #NeuroscienceOfLearning #CognitiveScience #BrainDevelopment #ExecutiveFunctioning #EducationPodcast  ★ Support this podcast ★

    9 min
  2. Celebrating the 100th episode!

    04/24/2025

    Celebrating the 100th episode!

    In this reflective milestone episode, Cheri Dotterer, host of The Writing Glitch, celebrates the 100th episode by revisiting some of the standout moments from the past school year. From interviews with experts on dyslexia and dysgraphia to product reviews and real-world classroom insights, Cheri recaps the evolution of handwriting, learning disabilities, and educational innovations that have shaped Season 3. She also opens up about the future of the podcast—what’s next and why listener feedback matters now more than ever. If you've ever found value in these episodes, this is the one to share, celebrate, and reflect on. 🌟 Highlights include: Key episodes on handwriting programs, IEP deep-dives, and classroom applicationsA behind-the-scenes look at sustaining a podcast in educationA call to action: Help shape the future of The Writing Glitch************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Welcome to The Writing Glitch: Season Recap 00:45 - Kicking off the year with Learning Without Tears 01:10 - Highlights from Casey Harrison (Season 3, Episode 5) 01:30 - Nessie: Interview & Product Review (Episode 6) 01:55 - What I learned from Nessie & Casey 02:20 - Respiratory health in classrooms with Kirk Lundy (Episode 10) 02:40 - Kelli Fetter’s handwriting-tutoring connection (Episode 12) 03:00 - Size Matters Handwriting with Beth Moskowitz (Episode 13) 03:20 - Deep dive into IEPs with Jen Porter 03:35 - Lindsay Ball on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Episode 11) 03:55 - Free preschool program: Play Roly 04:15 - Rachel Specter: Making your program research-based 04:40 - Writing Revolution Review (Episode 24) 05:00 - Crafting Minds: Reading & Writing support 05:15 - Marian Walman’s library-based nonprofit work 05:30 - Episode 100: The GOW School with Mr. Munro 05:50 - Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect Book Study with Theresa Rodriguez 06:10 - A moment of realization: 100 episodes! 06:30 - Podcasting reflections: Costs and commitments 06:55 - What’s next? Uncertain future without support 07:30 - Your feedback is crucial—what do YOU want to hear? 07:50 - Upcoming episodes preview 08:10 - Final message: Be brilliant. Be present. You were put here for such a time as this. **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok:

    8 min
  3. Finding The Right School For Your Child With Learning Disabilities

    04/10/2025

    Finding The Right School For Your Child With Learning Disabilities

    In this inspiring episode of The Writing Glitch, Cheri Dotterer sits down with John Munro, Head of School at the GOW School—an internationally recognized boarding and day school transforming the lives of students with language-based learning disabilities. John shares the school's rich history, rooted in the work of Dr. Samuel Orton, and details the school’s signature Reconstructive Language (RL) curriculum that empowers students to master reading and writing through neuroscience-backed methods. Discover how small classes, structured literacy, a robotics program inspired by BattleBots, and deep staff-student relationships make GOW a hidden gem for students from around the world. https://www.gow.org/ ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 01:00 GOW’s mission to transform life trajectories for students02:00 The meaning behind “ignite learning” at GOW03:00 John’s background and motivation for joining GOW04:00 The school’s 99-year history and founding story06:00 From boys-only to co-ed and its current demographics07:00 International student body and cultural representation08:00 Supporting English language learners with dyslexia09:00 Overview of GOW’s academic structure (6-day school week)10:00 Athletics and extracurriculars at GOW11:00 Outdoor education and unique enrichment offerings12:00 Day student experience mirrors that of boarders13:00 Faculty’s intensive involvement in student life14:00 Teacher commitment and long-term retention15:00 Academic calendar with built-in recharge breaks17:00 Handling breaks and student housing during holidays18:00 Personal boarding school connection and perspectives19:00 Transition to discussion about Reconstructive Language20:00 What is RL and how it originated at GOW21:00 Structure of the RL deck and how it builds reading skills23:00 Integration of RL with writing instruction24:00 Enrollment capacity and class sizes25:00 Robotics program and BattleBots championship success27:00 Admitting students who are a mission fit28:00 GOW as a college-prep school, not a therapeutic school29:00 Summer program overview: academics + camp fun30:00 How summer school feeds full-year enrollment31:00 Structured literacy benefits all learners32:00 Website and open house details33:00 The school’s four pillars: Honesty, Hard Work, Respect, Kindness **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok:

    35 min
  4. 3 Math Interventions that Make Math Stick: S3 E31

    04/03/2025

    3 Math Interventions that Make Math Stick: S3 E31

    In this episode, Cheri Dotterer shares a replay of a live webinar teaching three powerful math interventions proven to help students—from kindergarten to high school—retain and engage with math concepts more effectively. These strategies bridge the gap between cognitive science and classroom practice. Cheri breaks down the interventions into practical, hands-on activities, including the Locker Problem, the 120-Chart, and Paper Folding (Making Rectangles). She also highlights real-world case studies and the neuroscience behind these interventions, showing how as little as six minutes per week can change math outcomes. ************************************************************************** Products Mentioned https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/cwsbp ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 0:48 – 2:15 How writing struggles connect to math struggles.2:15 – 3:01 Introduction to Jonily Zupancic and Cheri's learning journey.3:01 – 4:06 Cheri’s background, books, podcasts, and how writing is more than literacy.4:06 – 6:56 Early number sense: how toddlers naturally engage with shapes and numbers.6:56 – 7:57 Breaking the cycle of frustration and introducing today’s three interventions.7:57 – 10:07 Research data showing how these interventions improved math scores.10:07 – 11:18 First intervention: Division is Sharing — Introduction.11:18 – 17:25 The Locker Problem — A math patterning activity to teach division and counting.17:25 – 20:06 Second intervention: Subtraction is Distance — Using the 120-Chart to build number sense.20:06 – 25:10 Third intervention: Multiplication is Rectangles — Teaching multiplication and fractions using paper folding.25:10 – 26:57 AHA moments and reflection from webinar participants.26:57 – 27:46 Why these interventions work and why you should try them.27:46 – 30:12 Course bundle details and how to apply these interventions K-12.30:12 – 33:21 Practicum, bonus offers, and course bundle available for listeners. **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer  *********************************************************************** HASHTAGS #TheWritingGlitch #cheri  #NeuroscienceOfLearning #CognitiveScience #BrainDevelopment #ExecutiveFunctioning #EducationPodcast

    34 min
  5. Product Review Sammy and the Reading Chest: S3 E30

    03/27/2025

    Product Review Sammy and the Reading Chest: S3 E30

    In this episode of The Writing Glitch, host Cheri Dotterer explores the multisensory literacy system Sammy and the Magical Reading Chest from North Coast Educational Center. Unpacking puppets, tactile cursive cards, sign language visuals, and engaging student workbooks, Cheri highlights how this structured literacy program supports reading and writing development from a therapeutic and classroom perspective. She explains how the system aligns with structured literacy principles—systematic, explicit, cumulative, and multisensory—and how educators and therapists can creatively integrate it into their instruction. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite literacy resources! ************************************************************************** Products Mentioned https://richardslearningsystems.com/ https://www.northcoasted.com/store ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 00:30 Meet the puppets: Miss Alice, Ichabod Ick, Professor Underwood01:30 Sample alphabet cards  04:00 Tactile cursive cards with raised lettering05:00 Inside Student Workbook 1:08:00 Student Workbook 2 10:00 Student Workbook 3 13:00 Final thoughts: Structured literacy alignment and puppet integration14:00 Therapy ideas using puppets and stuffed animals**************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer  *********************************************************************** HASHTAGS #TheWritingGlitch #cheri  #NeuroscienceOfLearning #CognitiveScience #BrainDevelopment #ExecutiveFunctioning #EducationPodcast #Sammyandthereadingchest #RichardsLearningSystems (00:30) - Meet the puppets: Miss Alice, Ichabod Ick, Professor Underwood (01:30) - Sample alphabet cards (04:00) - Tactile cursive cards with raised lettering (05:00) - Inside Student Workbook 1: (08:00) - Student Workbook 2 (10:00) - Student Workbook 3 (13:00) - Final thoughts: Structured literacy alignment and puppet integration (14:00) - Therapy ideas using puppets and stuffed animals

    15 min
  6. A Librarian’s Guide to Literacy Interventions: S3 E29

    03/20/2025

    A Librarian’s Guide to Literacy Interventions: S3 E29

    Join host Cheri Dotterer in this insightful episode of The Writing Glitch as she speaks with Marion Waldman, the founder of Teach My Kid to Read. Marion shares her personal journey of navigating literacy challenges with her own child and how that experience led her to create a nonprofit dedicated to equipping librarians, educators, and parents with the tools they need to support struggling readers. This episode also highlights Podcastathon, a global initiative amplifying nonprofit voices, and how Teach My Kid to Read is playing a pivotal role in shaping library-based literacy interventions. Learn how libraries can become literacy hubs, the science behind effective reading instruction, and how YOU can support dyslexia-friendly reading spaces in your community. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite literacy resources! ************************************************************************** Products Mentioned Tier 1 Interventions PodcastDisability LabsRelief in 3d Subscription BoxHandwriting Brain Body DisConnect Monthly Math and Writing Webinar Teach My Kid to Read Online Membership Community Podcastathon ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 00:21 What is Podcastathon? 01:00 Meeting Marion Waldman: The birth of Teach My Kid to Read 02:09 The struggle of librarians and educators 03:46 Understanding dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD  06:40 Marion’s journey 08:11 The hidden gaps in literacy instruction and the science of reading 09:09 Finding Orton-Gillingham-based instruction 12:00 The role of decodable books  14:49 How Teach My Kid to Read is transforming library programs 17:24The challenges of getting libraries  20:00 How parents and caregivers can access free literacy resources 22:23 Bringing writing and math to the literacy conversation 27:02 Exploring Teach My Kid to Read’s online membership community **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer Ti...

    45 min
  7. PRODUCT REVIEW: Decoding Duo & Morphology Anthology: S3 E38

    03/13/2025

    PRODUCT REVIEW: Decoding Duo & Morphology Anthology: S3 E38

    In this episode of The Writing Glitch, Cheri reviews Decoding Duo and the Morphology Anthology from the Changing Minds Group. These structured literacy resources provide explicit, systematic, and multisensory strategies to improve phonics, spelling, and morphology instruction. Join us as we explore: ✅ The scope and sequence of these resources ✅ How occupational therapists can integrate structured literacy into interventions ✅ Fun, movement-based learning activities to reinforce spelling and phonics ✅ Why using familiar classroom content enhances student engagement and retention https://www.craftingmindsgroup.com/ 🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share this podcast with five friends who need these insights! ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 📌00:00 Introduction to the episode & why literacy tools matter 📌01:00 Overview of Decoding Duo & its structured literacy routines 📌02:30 Key components of the Decoding Duo program: phonics, word reading, and dictation 📌04:00 How occupational therapists can use Decoding Duo in interventions 📌05:00 Exploring the Morphology Anthology: What is morphology? 📌06:30 Structured literacy in action: Greek & Latin roots, word structure, and multisensory learning 📌08:00 OT applications: Using spelling words in sensory activities 📌09:30 Movement-based learning: Kinesthetic techniques to reinforce spelling 📌10:30 Creative ways to use structured literacy in OT sessions 📌11:30 Final thoughts: The importance of fun, engagement, and emotional connection in literacy 📌12:00 Outro: Be awesome, be brilliant—you were put here for such a time as this! **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer  *********************************************************************** HASHTAGS #TheWritingGlitch #cheri  #NeuroscienceOfLearning #CognitiveScience #BrainDevelopment #ExecutiveFunctioning #EducationPodcast (01:00) - Overview of Decoding Duo & its structured literacy routines (02:30) - Key components of the Decoding Duo program: phonics, word reading, and dictation (04:00) - How occupational therapists can u...

    12 min
  8. Bridging Research and Practice with Crafting Minds: S3 E27

    03/06/2025

    Bridging Research and Practice with Crafting Minds: S3 E27

    In this episode of The Writing Glitch, host Cheri Dotterer welcomes the founders of Crafting Minds, Sarah Gannon and Dr. Melissa Orkin, for an insightful discussion on structured literacy and fluency development. With backgrounds in literacy coaching and research, they share how evidence-based practices can transform reading instruction and support struggling students. This episode covers the science of reading, the integration of occupational therapy in literacy instruction, and how their resources—Decoding Duo and Morphology Anthology—help bridge gaps in phonics and fluency. Tune in to learn strategies that empower teachers, OTs, and intervention specialists to collaborate effectively and create meaningful learning experiences for all students. ************************************************************************** TIME STAMPS 00:00  Introduction to The Writing Glitch and today’s guests 02:00  Sarah and Melissa’s backgrounds in literacy research and classroom teaching 05:30  The importance of structured literacy and fluency in reading 10:00  Sarah’s personal journey: Realizing her daughter needed structured literacy instruction 14:00  How phonics, fluency, and morphology work together in reading development 18:30  Bridging the gap between phonics instruction and connected text 22:00  The role of occupational therapists in supporting literacy development 26:00  Decoding Duo & Morphology Anthology: A deep dive into their resources 32:00  The need for collaboration between teachers, OTs, and specialists 37:00  Crafting Minds’ upcoming web-based literacy tool for teachers **************************************************************************** BOOKS Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd  On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Br... ***************************************************************************** SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writing-glitch/id1641728130?uo=4 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rU9kLxjkqJE5GbyCycrHE AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/894b3ab2-3b1c-4a97-af60-b1f2589d271f YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWritingGlitchPodcast ***************************************************************************** FREE WEBINAR Special Offer coming in March. Sign up TODAY! https://3MathInterventions.eventbrite.com ************************************************************************* Other ways to connect with Cheri  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridott... FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1... IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/ X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer  *********************************************************************** HASHTAGS #TheWritingGlitch #cheri  #NeuroscienceOfLearning #CognitiveScience #BrainDevelopment #ExecutiveFunctioning #EducationPodcast (02:00) - Sarah and Melissa’s backgrounds in literacy research and classroom teaching (05:30) - The importance of structured literacy and fluency in reading (10:00) - Sarah’s personal journey: Realizing her daughter needed structured literacy instruction (14:00) - How phonics, fluency, and morphology work toget...

    40 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Writing Glitch is brought to you by Dotterer Educational Consulting. Our Founder and Owner, Cheri Dotterer, is the host. Build courage, compassion, and collaboration to help students thrive and grow leaders that transcend a lifetime, regardless of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, using sensory-motor processing and neuroscience-based instructional interventions. No Pencil Required! We interview teachers, therapists, and parents about how they have seen a transformation in children having these disabilities and co-morbid conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They share how they help students grow and prosper. We believe we can grow 110 million leaders together by building skills, applying knowledge, and transcending futures. Join us to hack dysgraphia. No Pencil Required. Each episode contains one intervention to help you support students with writing challenges the next day you are in your classroom. These interventions are explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory. They are designed to support ALL students through targeted, daily visual-perceptual, visual-motor, and memory interventions. These interventions benefit all students and harm none. All students have access to writing regardless of their status in the classroom. The interventions were created to take up to 30 seconds to 2 minutes of your classroom time. Strategic lesson planning increases classroom engagement. All interventions can be adapted for students with physical disabilities because they support the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and well-being of all students. In addition, these interventions impact all subject matter classrooms. Whether you are teaching English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music, or art, these interventions will benefit your classroom atmosphere across ALL grade levels. You have put your blood, sweat, and tears into investing in your education and children. Don’t let a misunderstanding about this disability stop you from providing best practices. In case you don’t know me. I’m Cheri Dotterer, 2022 Dysgraphia Expert of the Year. This honor was bestowed on me by Global Health and Pharma Magazine. In 2023, they awarded my company the Best Dysgraphia Professional Development Program. It took challenges at home and on the job to wake me up to the impact dysgraphia has on all students. Struggling my entire life with communication issues, I was mistaken that only students with learning disabilities could have dysgraphia. My thoughts shifted when my gifted daughter asked for help with spelling. My son struggles with handwriting. Then, a parent asked me why her child could read and have trouble writing. Finding answers became the drive that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s a big shock when you discover how pervasive writing difficulties are and how little people know about how to help–even OTs. I used to think I was the only OT who struggled with understanding dysgraphia. It turns out many have questions. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists are not trained to teach. Teachers are. Occupational, speech, and physical therapists are trained in neuroscience. Teachers are not. Let this podcast be your first line of defense to help your students transcend their learning disabilities. Show your school district how much you genuinely care about all of your students by sharing it with your colleagues. After each episode, I challenge you to share your key takeaway from the podcast in our FREE yet private community. Share your student wins. Get support on the challenges. Join The Writing Glitch Community. https://thewritingglitch.com/ Connect with Cheri at www.cheridotterer.com or info@thewritingglitch.com