Empowering Dyslexic Learners: Proven Methods For Rapid Reading And Writing Growth With Russel Van Brocklen Speaking With Confidence podcast

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Empowering Dyslexic Learners: Proven Methods for Rapid Reading and Writing Growth with Russel Van Brocklen

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What if there was a proven way to help kids with dyslexia leap multiple grade levels in reading and writing—using strategies most schools never teach? On this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I dig deep into this question and reveal practical answers with the help of a truly inspiring guest.

Today, we’re diving headfirst into the realities of dyslexia—a condition that affects as many as 15 to 20% of learners, yet is still too often met with “let’s wait and see” in schools and by professionals. I have a personal connection to this topic, both as an educator and as someone with ADHD who faced my own hurdles in the traditional education system.

Joining me for this conversation is Russel Van Brocklen, known as the “dyslexia professor.” Russel Van Brocklen didn’t just study dyslexia—he lived it, spending his early years reading and writing at a first-grade level, even into college, before finally learning to read fluently in law school. He’s devoted decades to translating structured literacy research into practical, bite-sized strategies families can use at home. His story, and the successes he’s helped engineer for countless kids, provide a roadmap out of what can feel like an endless educational maze.

We explored Russel’s personal journey—from academic struggle and institutional roadblocks to academic success and expert status. We talk about the specific-to-general approach that flips how most of us were taught, and why it’s the leverage point for learners with dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodiverse backgrounds. Russel shares real-life case studies, like Casey, a highly motivated fifth-grader who jumped eight grade levels in reading in just six months by leveraging her passion for Theodore Roosevelt.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

The unique brain-based challenges and strengths of learners with dyslexia and ADHD
Why most accommodations don’t go far enough—and what actually works
How to use a student’s “speciality” or passion as the engine for dramatic growth in reading and writing
The “specific to general” teaching method and why it works where traditional methods fail
Simple, research-backed home strategies that parents can use tonight
The critical role of writing in organizing thoughts and boosting reading levels
Why early intervention is key—and how to advocate for your child in a system that may be resistant to change
How the right support can transform not just academic skills, but confidence and mental health
Free and affordable resources for families (like dyslexiaclasses.com) and how to access expert help

You’ll also hear about Russel Van Brocklen’s experience working within state governments, pushing for policy change, and training both teachers and parents to make a measurable impact—sometimes in as little as just three hours of training!

By the end of this episode, you’ll have concrete steps for helping the neurodiverse students in your life succeed, and a new understanding of just how much potential every struggling reader really has. If you’ve ever felt like the system is stacked against kids who learn differently, this conversation will give you hope, strategies, and a path forward.

To dig deeper, get your free guide, or connect directly with Russel Van Brocklen,

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Chapters

1. Welcome And Why Dyslexia Matters (00:00:00)

2. Russell’s Journey And Early Barriers (00:01:04)

3. Law School Breakthrough And Learning To Read (00:05:46)

4. Building A Replicable System (00:11:10)

5. Brain Activity And What Works (00:15:35)

6. Case Study: Casey’s Eight-Grade Jump (00:19:15)

7. Specific To General: A Better Path (00:24:35)

8. Writing As The Organizing Tool (00:29:10)

9. The Craft Of Research For Teens (00:33:10)

10. Making Original Work With AI (00:38:20)

11. What Teachers And Schools Miss (00:44:00)

12. Motivation, Class, And Outcomes (00:49:10)

13. Training Teachers At Scale (00:54:10)

106 episodes

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