Description

Did you know that up to 40% of children in the US struggle with reading by the fourth grade? In the UK, that's the same as years 4-5 in Primary School! 

In this episode, Matthew Head sits down with Dr. David Hurford, a research scientist, professor at Pittsburgh State University, and founder of CARRD, a non-profit dedicated to helping people with dyslexia become confident readers.

Dr. Hurford shares his personal journey from aspiring astronomer to leading expert in developmental psychology, where he focuses on why children struggle with reading and how to solve these challenges. His early research revealed that teaching reading effectively hinges on structured literacy—a method centred on decoding words as a systematic code.

We discuss the emotional impact of dyslexia on children, including anxiety and self-doubt, and how early intervention can transform not just academic outcomes but emotional well-being. Dr. Hurford explains how CARRD offers affordable evaluations and interventions, even creating tools like the free online dyslexia evaluation platform, Dyslexia101.com, to make resources accessible globally.

One of the standout moments in this episode is Dr. Hurford’s perspective on dyslexia: while it’s important to highlight strengths, it’s misleading to tell children they have “superpowers.” Instead, he encourages parents to focus on providing accurate information and unconditional support.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone navigating dyslexia yourself, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hope for creating a more inclusive, literate world.

Key Topics:

• Early intervention changes lives—don’t wait to seek support if a child is struggling to read.
• Use structured literacy techniques to teach reading effectively.
• Focus on your child’s abilities and provide unconditional support rather than perpetuating myths.
• Free online resources like Dyslexia101.com can offer quick and accessible support.
• Literacy is a human right —societies thrive when everyone can read and critically evaluate information.

Timestamps

• 00:13 – 00:55: Introduction—Meet Dr. David Hurford and his mission to help people with dyslexia
• 01:10 – 03:43: Dr. Hurford’s journey from aspiring astronomer to expert in developmental psychology
• 03:56 – 07:15: The emotional impact of dyslexia on children—anxiety, depression, and the power of intervention
• 08:27 – 12:39: Why English is a challenging language to learn and how structured literacy addresses this
• 13:15 – 15:08: Addressing myths like the “superpower” narrative and focusing on real strengths
• 21:47 – 24:13: The creation of Dyslexia101.com and making evaluations accessible globally
• 27:37 – 31:01: The importance of educating children about their dyslexia with tools like the I Have Dyslexia book series
• 35:11 – 38:18: Why science-based reading methods are crucial for societal progress
• 47:10 – 50:35: Dr. Hurford’s reflections on his career and advice for parents seeking answers

For more hacks tip and tricks for dyslexia and full show notes please visit Dyslexia Life Hacks.
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