Guest on – Dyslexia Explored Podcast

Dyscalculia, a persistent difficulty in understanding numbers, poses challenges in mathematics unrelated to age or education level. In this podcast episode, host Matt Head interviews Arran Smith, founder of the Dyslexia Show, ahead of the 2024 event where Dyscalculia takes the spotlight to raise awareness and provide support in the realm of neurodiversity. The Dyslexia Show, a leading UK exhibition on dyslexia and neurodiversity, aims to empower and educate those affected. Arran discusses the show’s origin, growth, and future aspirations, emphasizing its role in fostering understanding and support in education, parenting, the workplace, and individual well-being. This marks Arran’s third appearance on the podcast, and listeners can explore more in Episodes 17 and 45.

Matt Bird, the Founder CEO of ‘PublishU,’ overcame early struggles in remedial English classes and the belief that he was unintelligent. It wasn’t until his 20s, with his mother’s suggestion, that he discovered he might be dyslexic. This revelation explained the difficulties he faced during his school years. Matt transformed his life by becoming a successful author, with 20 books to his name, winning Book of the Year awards, and contributing to publications like The Times.

He now coaches more than 100 individuals annually to fulfill their dream of becoming authors and publishes over 50 books a year. Matt’s motto is that anyone can write a book. Additionally, he founded the global foundation NAYBA, which supports churches worldwide in promoting neighborly love. In this podcast episode, Matt Bird discusses his journey from feeling unintelligent to discovering his dyslexia and shares insights on writing a book. Key topics include growing up with self-doubt, discovering dyslexia in his 20s, his journey to becoming an author, and his mission to help others achieve their book-writing dreams.

In this podcast episode, Kait Feriante debunks the misconception that people with dyslexia can’t learn to read or write. Kait, who grew up in Albania and traveled globally, discovered that diverse educational models highlight that learning methods should be tailored to individual needs, especially for neurodiverse students. She emphasizes the necessity for teachers to have a broad educational toolbox to address each student’s unique situation. Kait’s experiences as a teacher revealed the disparity in educational support due to socio-economic differences. To combat this, she co-founded Redwood Literacy, which offers evidence-based reading interventions. Their 50/50 model ensures that 50% of their services fund free education for 50% of their students. As of January 2021, Redwood serves 290 students, with 160 receiving free services. Key topics include learning with dyslexia, individualized education, and challenges in accessing quality support based on socio-economic status.