59. Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis with Casey Harrison, The Dyslexia Classroom (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

What does it really mean to teach beyond the diagnosis? In this inspiring Dyslexia Awareness Month conversation, I sit down with Casey Harrison—Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and founder of The Dyslexia Classroom®—to unpack how we can meet the academic needs of students with dyslexia and nurture their confidence, self-understanding, and advocacy skills.Casey has been immersed in structured literacy for nearly three decades and recently published her new book, Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis: Empowering Students with Dyslexia. In this episode, she shares why dyslexia is never the whole story, how to honor the unique learning profile of each student, and why self-esteem and metacognitive awareness are just as essential as phonics instruction.Key Takeaways:Why dyslexia looks different in every child (and why contradictory signs are common).The power of the “dyslexia iceberg” and the hidden emotional toll beneath academics.How structured literacy can (and must) adapt to the student in front of us.Strategies for building student confidence and authentic self-advocacy.Why celebrating progress—every baby step—is crucial to student success.If you’ve ever wondered how to balance evidence-based literacy instruction with the human side of teaching, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to look at your students holistically.Resources Mentioned:Casey’s Book: Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis (or on Amazon)This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Casey Harrison:Website: www.thedyslexiaclassroom.comInstagram: @thedyslexiaclassroom YouTube: The Dyslexia ClassroomCasey’s Teachers Pay Teachers StoreCasey’s Membership Site: Empowered Beyond the ProgramCasey’s Course: The Color-Coding Method to Teaching Sight WordsTogether in Literacy Podcast🎧 For more episodes in the Dyslexia Awareness Month bonus series, check out the playlist here.Check out our Dyslexia Awareness Reel here!Connect with Michelle:Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comFollow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomFor Phonics Resources, grab: The COLORFUL Phonics ToolkitWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Logos Literacy Academy with Michelle Sullivan & Sarah PaulJoin: Beyond Phonics Club - our Membership CommunityMentioned in this episode:Reading Science AcademyGet your FREE grouping resource bundle here: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/groupingsheets?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=podcast Join The Reading Science Academy: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=literacy-in-colorSOR Fall Book Study Join us: https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.com/sor-fall-book-study-2026