Episode 24: Supporting Adults & Older Students
In this episode I chat with Dr Shae Wissell, Shae is a speech pathologist, researcher, dyslexic, dysgraphic, ADHD-er, and founder of Rethink Dyslexia, We talk about what happens after students living with learning difficulties leave school and we become adults!
Episode 23: Mental Health Strategies For Parents
In this episode, I talk with Brisbane-based psychologist Leanne Tran about how to look after your own mental health as the parent of a child living with learning difficulty. We work through the whole journey as a timeline, from that first feeling that something might not be right, all the way through to letting go when your child is ready to advocate for themselves.
Episode 22: Five Common Mental Health Challenges For Kids Living With Learning Difficulties
In this episode, I’m joined again by clinical psychologist Valli Jones to talk about the mental health issues she most commonly sees in children and young people living with learning difficulties. We framed the conversation as a “top five”, not to rank problems, but to help parents and educators feel less alone and better able to recognise patterns.
Episode 21: Why Maths Word Problems Are So Hard
In this episode, I talk with teacher and intervention specialist Sue Griffith about word problems in maths and why they are so difficult for students living with learning difficulties. We look at the role of language, working memory anxiety and ambiguity, and share practical ways to teach problem-solving more clearly.
Episode 20: ADHD Coaching with Sharon Collon
In this episode, I am joined by Sharon Collon from The Functional Family. We discuss ADHD coaching and how it works to support students living with ADHD, their teachers and families. We focus on practical strategies for supporting executive function, increasing engagement, dealing with emotions, and solving predictable problems.
Episode 19: The Safe House Framework With Valli Jones
In this episode, I talk with Valli Jones, a clinical psychologist from Queensland, about what it means to create a safe learning environment for students who live with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning difficulties. We focus on the idea that students learn best when they feel safe — not just physically safe, but emotionally and psychologically safe too.
Episode 18: The Literacy Support Kit with Sally Andrew
In this episode, Michael Shanahan is joined by experienced specialist dyslexia tutor Sally Andrew to discuss The Literacy Support Kit (LSK)—a comprehensive set of resources designed to support children for whom standard literacy intervention programs are too difficult.
Episode 17: What high-performing countries are doing in maths. With Liana McCurry
In this episode, we have Liana McCurry back to talk about her Churchill Fellowship findings on what the top PISA performing countries are doing with maths instruction and how we can use that information to improve outcomes for kids living with learning difficulties.
Episode 16: The Importance Of Daily Review with David Morkunas
In this episode, we chat about daily review with David Morkunas, current head of teacher efficacy at Brandon Park Primary School, previously a teacher at Bentleigh West Primary School.
Episode 15: SLDs and Individual Learning Plans with Lilly Shanahan and Sue Griffith
In this episode, we chat with experienced teacher and intervention specialist Sue Griffith and YR 12 student Lilly Shanahan about Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). What are they for? Why do kids need them? How do we make them effective?
Episode 14: Maths and learning difficulties with Liana McCurry
In this episode, we chat with math teaching expert Liana McCurry. We delve into best practices for all students when teaching maths. We hope Liana’s insights will help create inclusive learning environments where every child can succeed.
Episode 13: ADHD and learning difficulties with Benita Ranzon
In this episode, we talk with Psychologist Benita Ranzon about one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized conditions that affect kids and adults – ADHD
Episode 12: The Teaching Morphology Rabbit Hole and Word Cracking
In this episode, we chat about teaching morphology with Sally Andrew who co-developed the original Word Cracker and of course Michael, who came on board to build the Online Word Cracker.
Episode 11: The Importance of Handwriting, with Debbie Draper
In this episode, we chat with educational consultant Debbie Draper about handwriting, why it’s back and what we need to do to set kids up for successful writing.
Episode 10: Mental health and specific learning difficulties with Kirrilie Smout
In this episode, we chat with clinical psychologist Kirrilie Smout about the emotional challenges of living with specific learning difficulties. Kirrilie gives expert advice for parents and teachers on how to set kids up for success and support them when things get tough.
Episode 9: NDIS funding for specific learning difficulties
In this episode, we chat with Kate Cole, a determined parent who managed to secure NDIS funding for her child living with dyslexia. Kate tells us exactly how she did it!
Episode 8: How well do universities prepare teachers for literacy instruction?
In this episode, we chat with two wonderful pre-service teachers, Lara and Robert, about how well their university education prepares them to teach literacy.
Episode 7: Learning to teach kids living with dyslexia. How to get started and what training you need.
In this episode we talk to Bill, Sally, Karen, and Louise who run specialist dyslexia teacher training. We find out what’s involved and help you decide whether you should take up the challenge.
Episode 6: How to choose a school for kids living with learning difficulties
Imagine if you could be certain about choosing a school that teaches reading and spelling in the most effective way for all students.
Episode 5: What’s changing with the teaching of reading in Australia (and why?)
This episode answers the common questions schools and parents have when changing from a whole-language or balanced literacy way of teaching to one supported by scientific evidence.