Can someone with dyslexia go from a first-grade reading level to transforming the way reading is taught?
In this fascinating episode of Willow Healing Matters, Catherine Crestani sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, New York State Senate-funded dyslexia researcher and founder of DyslexiaClasses.com, to explore an evidence-based approach that is challenging traditional methods of teaching dyslexia, reading, writing, and literacy.
Russell shares his extraordinary personal journey—from being evaluated at a first-grade reading and writing level while attending college to developing a word-analysis-first instructional method inspired by Yale neuroimaging research by Dr. Sally Shaywitz. Together, Catherine and Russell discuss why motivation matters, how special interests can unlock learning, why many students struggle within traditional education systems, and what parents and educators can do differently to support neurodivergent learners.
Whether you’re a parent of a struggling reader, a teacher, homeschool educator, speech pathologist, psychologist, or simply curious about dyslexia and learning differences, this episode offers practical insights that challenge conventional thinking.
In this episode you’ll discover:
✔ Russell’s remarkable dyslexia journey✔ Why traditional reading instruction doesn’t work for everyone✔ How motivation transforms learning outcomes✔ Teaching from the specific to the general✔ The importance of a child’s interests and strengths✔ Supporting students with dyslexia, ADHD and neurodiversity✔ How writing can strengthen reading development✔ Executive functioning and learning✔ The future of education in an AI world✔ Why curiosity may be the greatest learning tool of all
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction00:40 Meet Russell Van Brocklen02:15 From first-grade reading level to researcher05:00 Why motivation changes everything08:00 Teaching dyslexic brains differently11:00 The Mary Poppins learning exercise17:00 Building vocabulary through writing19:30 Typing vs handwriting for dyslexia23:30 Supporting struggling readers25:30 Finding a child’s motivation28:00 Can this method help every learner?30:30 Rethinking education and neurodiversity32:20 Preparing students for the AI future33:20 If Russell could change education…33:45 Where to learn more
🌿 Connect with Russell Van Brocklen
🌐 Website:
https://dyslexiaclasses.comhttps://www.skool.com/dyslexia-classes-2483/about
Russell Van Brocklen is a New York State Senate-funded dyslexia researcher and founder of DyslexiaClasses.com. Evaluated at a first-grade reading and writing level in college, he developed a word-analysis-first instructional method grounded in Yale neuroimaging research by Dr. Sally Shaywitz. His work has helped highly motivated students make remarkable gains in reading and writing, and he is the co-author of If You Write, You Will Read. Through his courses and interviews, Russell shares practical, evidence-based strategies that parents and educators can apply immediately.
🌿 Connect with Catherine Crestani
Host of Willow Healing Matters, Catherine Crestani is an Inner Authority Guide, spiritual teacher, author, and founder of Willow Healing Matters. Through her work, Catherine helps people reconnect with their inner authority, expand consciousness, and navigate spiritual awakening with grounded wisdom.
🌐 Website:
https://willowhealing.org
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/willowhealingsh
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/willowhealingsh
✍️ Substack:
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#Dyslexia #ReadingDifficulties #LearningDisabilities #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Literacy #Education #Teachers #Parents #Homeschool #SpecialEducation #SpeechPathology #ExecutiveFunction #Reading #Writing #ChildDevelopment #LearningDifferences #WillowHealingMatters #RussellVanBrocklen #CatherineCrestani
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