#187: Teaching Dyslexia, Parenting Dyslexia: Two Very Different Lessons with Kait Feriante

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Kait Feriante, co-founder and CEO of Redwood Literacy, about helping children with dyslexia build confidence and find reading support that fits their needs. Kait shares how teaching bright students who struggled to read led her and her husband Andre to become specialist teachers and establish Redwood. She explains why their approach expanded beyond the Wilson Reading System to include other methods, including SPELL-Links and UFLI. Kait also reflects on Andre’s discovery of his own dyslexia and how parenting their dyslexic daughter deepened her understanding of the emotional challenges behind academic struggles. From stepping back as her daughter’s tutor to seeing dictation unlock her storytelling, Kait offers an honest look at supporting a child without letting school scores define their potential. The conversation explores self-advocacy, recognising strengths, and how mind mapping and assistive technology can help children express their ideas and take ownership of their learning.This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/Links:ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexiaHow to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginnersRedwood Literacy: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/Redwood Literacy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodliteracy/Redwood Literacy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@redwoodlearningRedwood Literacy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjN-BogTHtaoI9L8wuaHmQgRedwood Literacy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodliteracychicago/Redwood Literacy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redwoodliteracyFree Consultation Booking: https://redwoodliteracyscheduling.as.me/schedule/2c3b1c27/appointment/56124248/calendar/9385168?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=56124248Free Starter Access to Writing Our World: https://www.writing-our-world.com/offers/oMAKKrKk/checkoutWriting Our World (for teachers) Website: https://www.writing-our-world.comWriting Our World Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writing.our.world/Writing Our World TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writing.our.worldWriting Our World Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writingourworldAbout Kait, Andre and the Redwood Team: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/dyslexia-treatment-team/Redwood Parent Support Programme: https://www.redwoodlearning.org/the-8-week-guided-parent-support-programRedwood Blog and Resources: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/blog/Kait’s Email: [email protected] Reading System: https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/resources/articles/wilson-reading-system-curriculum/SPELL-Links: https://spell-links.com/UFLI Foundations: https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/Google Docs Voice Typing: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226Episode 126 — Other Ways to Teach Reading with Nora Chahbazi: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PouYIAxgKZB3att3O6m0CInterested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected]