The LDA Podcast

 Dylan Smith was treated for ADHD for a decade before anyone tested him for dyslexia. His adoptive father pushed for a reevaluation, and at 16 Dylan started daily Orton-Gillingham tutoring, relearning the alphabet one letter at a time. LDA board member Chris Lenois talks with Dylan about what the right diagnosis changed for him, the parent-teacher conference where grades in the high 60s and 70s brought everyone in the room to tears, and the “one win a day” habit that carried him into a tech contract with Oppenheimer at 20. They also talk about his book, The Words Are Backwards, You’re Not: Dyslexia Is Your Superpower, which pairs his story with reflection questions readers answer in the book itself, and his work speaking in schools through D Is For Dyslexia. Find Dylan and the book at disfordyslexia.com. 

In this episode of the LDA Podcast, host Chris Lenois sits down with Dr. Staci Suits, a school neuropsychologist with 30 years of experience and founder of Eduworks North Florida. Dr. Suits shares how school neuropsychology goes beyond traditional evaluations to answer not just whether a student qualifies for services, but why they're struggling — and more importantly, what strengths can be leveraged to support them.They discuss the difference between school psychology and school neuropsychology, how Dr. Suits' approach aligns with LDA's SLD evaluation principles and standards, and her journey from deficit-focused assessments to a strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming practice. Dr. Suits also explains key terms like RTI and MTSS, shares how she uses AI storybooks to help children understand their own learning profiles, and highlights the growing movement across the field to see every child as a whole person — not just a set of test scores.Learn more about Dr. Suits and access her resources at eduworksnfl.com.

In this episode of the LDA Podcast, Monica McHale-Small sits down with Casey Harrison—licensed dyslexia therapist, certified academic language therapist, and author of Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis—to explore what it truly means to support the whole learner.Casey shares her integrated framework for working with students with dyslexia, which weaves together proper academic instruction with executive function skills, metacognitive awareness, self-esteem, and self-advocacy. Together, they discuss why a diagnosis is just the starting point, why one-size-fits-all intervention falls short, and how understanding each student's individual learning profile—including their strengths—is essential to meaningful progress.Topics include:What an "integrated framework" for dyslexia looks like in practiceWhy student learning profiles matter more than isolated test scoresBuilding trust and helping anxious students find their voiceThe concept of "warm demanders" and holding high expectationsPractical advice for teachers, school systems, and parentsCasey's book Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis and her podcast Together in LiteracyWhether you're an educator, a parent, or a professional supporting students with learning differences, this conversation offers practical insights and an empowering reminder: we're teaching humans first.Guest: Casey Harrison, LDT, CALT — Author & Founder of The Dyslexia Classroom (thedyslexiaclassroom.com)Host: Monica McHale-Small, Director of Education & Interim CEO, Learning Disabilities Association of AmericaLinks: Learn more at ldaamerica.org. Find Casey at thedyslexiaclassroom.com and listen to Together in Literacy wherever you get your podcasts.

What are New Approach Methods (NAMs) and how do they compare to traditional rodent testing? Are computer models and cell-based tests reliable for identifying chemicals with potential neurodevelopmental impacts? Learn what NAMs are and why LDA and our partners are concerned that these tests, when misused without appropriate safety factors or other health-protective policies, are likely to result in unsafe chemical regulations that fail to protect children’s brains.

LDA board chair Mark DiPietro talks with Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master and co-creator of PAW Patrol, about his new book, No Experience Necessary: Why Betting on Yourself in Your 20s Is the Best Decision You'll Ever Make. Ronnen was identified with dysgraphia at age 10 in Toronto's public schools in 1979 and credits his accommodations with getting him through high school. He also describes growing up ashamed of his learning disability, hiding his extra exam time from classmates, and never having a single conversation with his parents about it.Ronnen now calls his LD a "learning gift." He explains the workarounds he built over a 32-year career: running meetings as live problem-solving sessions instead of using PowerPoint, visiting partners in person to read body language and environments, and protecting his mornings, when his thinking and handwriting are strongest. He argues that having a learning disability makes people more creative, because they have to keep inventing ways around obstacles.The conversation closes on failure. Ronnen says growing up as "the king of the Cs" taught him that he could get through anything, and he walks through three toy flops Spin Master had in a row, including Don't Free Freddy. His advice to young adults, and to anxious parents of kids with LD, is that failure carries more useful information than success, and that the bigger risk is never trying at all.

Michelle shares her granddaughter’s lead poisoning story, provides tips, and emphasizes resources for families struggling with (affected by? Or dealing with) lead poisoning. Michelle is a parent ambassador with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan.LDA’s Healthy Children Project thanks our podcast co-sponsors Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and the Ecology Center. Tracy Gregoire, LDA’s HCP Director, chats with guest speakers Jameela Maun, Michelle Eason, and Meli Garcia. 

Jenny Ponzuric is a licensed educational psychologist, educational consultant, IEP master coach, and certified leadership and mindset coach. In this episode, Jenny discusses the importance of understanding a student's full learning profile, factors school psychologists should keep in mind when performing learning disability evaluations, and how to ensure that parents and practitioners are on the same page. 

Dr. Douglas Sims is a scientist, entrepreneur, author, and learning disability advocate. Dr. Sims discusses their experience in school with dyslexia and ADHD, and shares how they harnessed their strengths to reach success. 

Dr. Rachel Rubin is an internationally-recognized college admissions expert, and the founder of Spark Admissions. In this episode, Dr. Rubin discusses the latest trends in college admissions, how students with LD can prepare, disclosing a learning disability in an application, and more!

Jeremy Didier is an ADHD coach, parent, immediate past president of CHADD's board of directors, a clinical social worker, and addiction counselor. Jeremy explains the importance of recognizing ADHD, shares how parents can support their neurodivergent children, and discusses her own ADHD diagnosis that came later in life.