Why We've Been Teaching Dyslexic Children the Wrong Way | Russell Van Brocklen on Dyslexia, Reading & Education

In this episode of The James Ibezim Podcast, I sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, a New York State Senate-funded dyslexia researcher, keynote speaker, and former severely dyslexic student whose personal journey inspired years of research into how children learn to read.Russell challenges one of education's most deeply held assumptions: that reading should always begin with printed words. Instead, he developed the "Write First, Read Next" method—a speech-first approach that starts with spoken language, word analysis, and sentence construction before moving into writing and reading.We explore why so many families are still told to "wait and see," why traditional interventions often fail struggling readers, how early support can change a child's future, and the strengths that frequently accompany dyslexia. We also discuss neurodiversity in the workplace, the role artificial intelligence could play in supporting learners, and what parents, educators, and employers need to understand about helping dyslexic individuals reach their full potential.Whether you're a parent, teacher, school leader, student, or simply fascinated by how people learn, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of education's most misunderstood learning differences.In this episode, we discuss:Russell's journey from severe dyslexia to researcherWhy "wait and see" can delay life-changing supportThe "Write First, Read Next" approachWhy many reading interventions fall shortEarly signs of dyslexia parents should recognizeConfidence, self-esteem, and learning differencesThe strengths of dyslexic thinkersNeurodiversity in education and the workplaceAI's potential to transform learning for dyslexic studentsLearn more about Russell Van Brocklen and his work: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/If you enjoyed this conversation, follow The James Ibezim Podcast on Spotify and share this episode with someone passionate about education, neuroscience, parenting, or lifelong learning.