Dyslexia Duo Podcast

The Dyslexia Duo: Dr. Jan Wasowicz on Dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder, and the Language Literacy Network   Melissa Dean and Amy Rodenroth of the Dyslexia Duo interview Dr. Jan Wasowicz, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and literacy specialist with 40+ years of experience, inventor of Ear Aerobics, and creator of Spell Links and the SpellTalk listserv. Dr. Wasowicz explains the quadrant model distinguishing typical learners, dyslexia (word-level decoding/encoding weaknesses), developmental language disorder (spoken-language weaknesses affecting comprehension and writing), and a mixed profile, noting that about half of people with dyslexia also have DLD and discussing screening tools such as the TILS. She introduces her Language Literacy Network as an updated, research-based alternative to the Reading Rope that integrates reading and writing, morphology, pragmatics, and sight recognition as a byproduct of decoding/encoding. The conversation covers integrating phonology, orthography, and meaning, supporting spelling instruction, prosody as an outcome of underlying skills, parent reinforcement strategies, cautious use of AI for creating pattern-loaded materials, and vetted research resources and communities.   00:00 Meet Dr Jan Wasowicz 01:44 Credentials and Work 05:35 Spell Talk and Sites 07:06 From SLP to Literacy 09:15 Quadrant Model Dyslexia 12:45 DLD Screening Tools 17:15 Private Practice Patterns 21:05 Aerobics Origin Story 26:40 Hyperlexia and Pragmatics 30:23 Language Literacy Network 38:20 Pragmatics After COVID 41:19 Education Changes 42:09 Science of Reading Shift 43:04 Capital vs Lowercase SOR 45:35 Comprehension Beyond Phonics 49:55 Phonology Meets Orthography 52:13 Sounds Letters Meaning Glue 53:04 Teaching Word Meanings 57:29 Spelling Instruction Comeback 59:49 Spelling Approach to Reading 01:06:36 Prosody as an Outcome 01:09:09 Prosodic Competence and Stress 01:16:10 Helping Parents Reinforce 01:17:30 Read Aloud Coaching 01:18:58 Link Sounds to Writing 01:19:24 Family Time Matters 01:20:00 AI Tools Caution 01:20:52 ChatGPT Pattern Passages 01:24:26 Vetted Research Sources 01:26:42 PeaceNEX Inspirations 01:29:58 Lunch and Lit Learning 01:37:50 One Wish for Students 01:41:08 Closing Thanks and Credits

The Dyslexia Duo: Dr. Pam Kastner on Structured Literacy, the Instructional Hierarchy, and the Role of Syntax in Reading   Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth of the Dyslexia Duo interview Dr. Pam Kastner, a longtime educator and former Pennsylvania state literacy lead, about her career and why she shifted from balanced literacy and whole language approaches to structured literacy after seeing students struggle and having a dyslexic granddaughter. Dr. Kastner contrasts structured literacy’s direct, explicit, systematic instruction with assumptions in balanced literacy, explaining the instructional hierarchy (acquisition, building fluency, generalization, adaptation), the need for accuracy first, immediate corrective feedback, many opportunities to respond, and avoiding hand-raising as a comprehension check. She discusses syntax as a key but underemphasized component of language that supports comprehension and writing, and stresses oral language development through rich vocabulary and complete sentences. She calls for stronger teacher preparation, leadership, and system-level support, and encourages parents that dyslexic children can learn to read and it is not the child’s fault.   00:44 Meet Dr. Pam Kastner 01:47 Career Journey in Education 05:12 Family and Purpose 07:30 Origin Story in Literacy 13:01 Why Structured Literacy 15:02 Instructional Hierarchy Explained 19:26 Accuracy and Errorless Learning 27:03 Data Driven Teaching 36:25 Dyslexia Services Promo 37:25 Why Syntax Matters 38:14 Legacy of William Van Cleve 38:57 Teaching Syntax Early 42:42 Oral Language to Literacy 43:08 Robust Vocabulary in Class 47:10 30 Million Words Initiative 50:23 Fixing Teacher Preparation 56:54 Message to Dyslexic Families 01:01:44 Lightning Round Q&A