Guest on – Dyslexia Explored Podcast

In this podcast episode, Matt Hancock, known as the UK’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care during COVID-19, shares his experiences as a proud dyslexic in government. He discusses how dyslexic strengths, such as big-picture thinking and communication, aided his rise to senior government positions. Despite now being a backbencher, Hancock remains a vocal advocate for the dyslexic community, introducing the “Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill” to address their needs. He reveals his late dyslexia diagnosis at 18 while at Oxford University and the support that has guided him through life.

Emily Gee, a dyslexic, dyscalculic, and dyspraxic individual, struggled in school but found solace in performing arts. Despite academic challenges, performing boosted her confidence and became her forte. Supported by understanding teachers and parents, Emily embraced her strengths, overcoming insecurities. Unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia lacks awareness and support in education. Emily, now advocating for the Dyscalculia Network, aims to raise awareness and early intervention for dyscalculia. Her journey underscores the importance of recognizing and nurturing strengths over weaknesses. This podcast episode resonates with parents of children displaying signs of dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia, offering insights and encouragement.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Martin Bloomfield challenges common perceptions of dyslexia. Despite being labeled as ‘lazy’ and a ‘class clown’ during his childhood due to dyslexia, Martin went on to earn a Doctorate in Philosophy and become a strong advocate for people with dyslexia. He sheds light on how dyslexia is perceived in various cultures and countries, highlighting that it’s not universally assessed the same way.

During a captivating conversation with host Matthew, Martin delves into his personal journey, discussing his school experiences, the discovery of his dyslexia at the age of 30, and the diverse strategies he has used to navigate dyslexia’s challenges. He also explores different types of dyslexia and shares insights into achieving a Doctorate despite the condition.

As an active advocate, Martin discusses his work in developing resources for individuals with dyslexia, including creating a global map of dyslexic specialist schools on Google Earth. This episode offers valuable insights into achieving academic success with dyslexia, discovering dyslexia later in life, international perspectives on dyslexia assessment, and innovative strategies for overcoming dyslexia-related obstacles. Don’t miss out on this enlightening discussion!