Days with Dyslexia: Help for reading, spelling, & handwriting to boost your child's skills & confidence

Michelle Morgan MA, CCC/SLP
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

The Days with Dyslexia podcast gives parents practical, research-based strategies to support their child’s reading, spelling, and handwriting. Hosted by speech-language pathologist and mom Michelle Morgan, each episode delivers hope, help, and how-to tips—plus insights on advocacy, ADHD, and executive function. 

Episodes

  1. DEC 14

    Teaching Kids with Dyslexia the Difference Between Letters and Sounds

    Teaching Kids with Dyslexia The Difference Between Letters and Sounds In this episode of Days With Dyslexia, host Michelle Morgan shares practical strategies for helping children differentiate between letters and sounds. Michelle explains how to use simple tools to create a visual and interactive learning experience. She emphasizes the importance of understanding this difference to enhance reading and spelling. Michelle also provides tips on using these techniques to teach spelling patterns and inflected endings, highlighting the need to address sounds, letters, and meanings in language instruction. A PDF resource is available for download to support parents in implementing these strategies at home.  Download free PDF for teaching letters vs. sounds HERE. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:35 Understanding Letters and Sounds 02:16 Practical Teaching Strategies 04:44 Using Index Cards for Learning 07:28 Letter and Sound Cards 11:14 Inflected Endings and Meaning 14:01 Clarifying Letters vs. Sounds 16:18 Conclusion and Next Steps

    17 min

  2. NOV 25

    Using sounds and letter names to improve reading and spelling for kids with dyslexia- even if social media tells you they don't need both

    The Importance of Teaching Sounds and Letter Names in Dyslexia In this episode of 'Today's with Dyslexia,' Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist, explores the essential difference between letter names and sounds in language learning. She explains why understanding this difference is particularly crucial for children with dyslexia. Michelle also discusses the triple word form theory (Phonology, Orthography, Meaning) and why some teachers have, unfortunately, moved away from teaching letter names. Through various research citations, she validates the need to teach both letter names and sounds for effective literacy development. Tune in for insights and strategies to help struggling readers become more confident learners. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:29 Understanding Letter Names vs. Sounds 02:56 The Importance of Differentiating Letters and Sounds 05:55 Current Trends in Teaching Reading and Spelling 12:07 Research Supporting Letter Names 23:36 Conclusion and Next Steps

    24 min

  3. NOV 19

    What is the new definition of dyslexia and what it means for children who struggle to read and spell

    Breaking Down the New 2025 Definition of Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know In this episode of 'Days with Dyslexia,' host Michelle Morgan, a speech language pathologist and mother of a dyslexic child, delves into the newly released 2025 definition of dyslexia from the International Dyslexia Association. Michelle reads the extensive definition, breaks down complex terms, and explains their implications. She emphasizes the importance of early intervention and clears misconceptions about environmental influences on dyslexia. Michelle also touches on the genetic, neurobiological, and varied severity aspects of dyslexia. Listen in for practical advice and resources to help your child overcome reading and spelling challenges. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:29 New 2025 Definition of Dyslexia 01:56 Reading the New Definition 03:20 Breaking Down the Definition 10:31 Understanding Dyslexia Causes 17:47 Early Oral Language and Literacy 20:47 Secondary Consequences of Dyslexia 25:36 Psychological and Employment Impact 26:55 Importance of Early Intervention 29:38 Conclusion and Resources Link to IDA's new definition of dyslexia. Head-to-Hand Writing Program

    31 min

  4. NOV 11

    Why Orton Gillingham may not be the best way to teach your dyslexic child to read- and what to use instead

    In this episode of Days with Dyslexia, host Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist, discusses the differences between speech-to-print (sounds first) and print-to-speech (print first) literacy instruction. She explains why traditional Orton-Gillingham methods may not be the most effective for all children, particularly those with dyslexia. Michelle outlines five key differences between a sounds-first vs. print-first approaches, including scope and sequence, teaching the job of each letter, handling irregular words, spelling patterns, and the role of letter names and sounds in writing. The episode aims to help parents understand why a sounds-first approach can be more effective and introduces resources for further guidance. 00:00 Introduction to Days with Dyslexia 00:37 Understanding Orton-Gillingham 02:07 Speech to Print Instruction 02:38 Simplifying Terms: Sounds First vs. Print First 03:27 Advantages of Sounds First Approach 04:07 Five Key Differences Between Approaches 04:14 Scope and Sequence 05:46 Teaching the Job of Each Letter 07:09 Irregular Words Instruction 09:01 Spelling Patterns and Syllable Division 13:21 Writing and Sound Association 14:50 Conclusion and Resources

    17 min

  5. NOV 3

    How to fix letter reversals in dyslexia and dysgraphia

    Understanding and Fixing Letter Reversals in Children with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia In this episode of 'Days with Dyslexia,' host Michelle Morgan, a speech-language pathologist and mother to a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, delves into the issue of letter reversals in young learners. She explains when letter reversals are developmentally normal, why they happen, and how to address them effectively.  Michelle discusses the 'Head-to-Handwriting' program, which utilizes a systematic approach to teach letter directionality and handwriting, incorporating executive function skills and sound-letter associations to reduce letter reversals and build strong literacy foundations. 00:00 Introduction to Days with Dyslexia 00:28 Understanding Letter Reversals 01:14 Why Letter Reversals Happen 03:42 When to Be Concerned About Letter Reversals 05:02 Introducing the Head to Handwriting Program 05:25 Teaching Directionality and Letter Formation 07:36 Addressing Common Methods and Their Limitations 08:54 Effective Techniques for Teaching Letter Formation 11:39 Executive Function and Letter Writing 17:26 Transitioning from Letters to Words 19:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Want to learn more about the Head-to-Hand Writing Program? Check it out here: https://dayswithdyslexia.com/head-to-hand-writing-program/

    21 min

  6. OCT 27

    Two Simple Dyslexia Strategies That Boost Reading and Spelling at Home

    Two Small Changes for Helping Children with Dyslexia: Reading and Spelling Strategies In this episode of Days with Dyslexia, speech-language pathologist Michelle Morgan shares two simple, science-backed strategies parents can use at home to strengthen reading and spelling for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADHD.  The first strategy focuses on teaching 'smooth and stretchy speech' to help children sound out words more naturally and ease the strain on their working memory.  The second strategy involves saying the sounds of letters as children write them, building stronger connections between letters and sounds in the brain.  Michelle emphasizes the importance of these techniques for developing strong literacy skills and provides practical guidance for parents on how to implement them at home. 00:00 Introduction to Days with Dyslexia 00:54 The Importance of Building Strong Connections 01:53 Smooth and Stretchy Speech for Reading 03:01 Addressing Common Reading Challenges 08:14 Making Writing Easier with Sound Connections 12:42 Practical Tips and Encouragement 16:40 Conclusion and Next Steps

    17 min
  7. Days with Dyslexia Podcast Trailer

    TRAILER

    Days with Dyslexia Podcast Trailer

    Welcome to the Days with Dyslexia podcast! I’m Michelle Morgan—speech-language pathologist, mom of three, and parent to a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. When I first searched for help for my daughter, I quickly realized how few professionals truly understand dyslexia. That journey led me to dig deep into the research, train extensively, and eventually open a private practice serving kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia. But what drives me most is helping parents. I believe every family deserves access to practical tools and knowledge to support their child’s literacy journey. On this podcast, you’ll find:  ✅ Practical strategies for building reading, spelling, and handwriting skills at home ✅ Advocacy insights so you can confidently navigate the school system ✅ Conversations on related challenges like ADHD and executive function ✅ Guest episodes with professionals and parents who share their expertise and experiences Each week, I’ll bring you hope, help, and how-to tips so you can support your child with less frustration and more confidence. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode—and join me as we dive into the world of dyslexia, one step at a time.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Days with Dyslexia podcast gives parents practical, research-based strategies to support their child’s reading, spelling, and handwriting. Hosted by speech-language pathologist and mom Michelle Morgan, each episode delivers hope, help, and how-to tips—plus insights on advocacy, ADHD, and executive function. 

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