June 2, 2026

Overcoming Dyslexia and Building Confidence with Russell Van Brocklin

Overcoming Dyslexia and Building Confidence with Russell Van Brocklin
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Season 2

Explore proven strategies to support children with dyslexia, emphasizing how neurodiverse learners can excel with the right approach. Russell Van Brocklin shares his personal journey, neuroscience insights, and practical tools to transform frustration into confidence for students, parents, and teachers alike.

In This Episode:

  • Russell's personal story overcoming severe dyslexia and how it shaped his teaching approach

  • The neuroscience behind dyslexia: brain activity differences and how to leverage this in teaching

  • Structured literacy techniques focused on word analysis and articulation, tailored for older students

  • Practical examples of working with children on reading, writing, and vocabulary development

  • The significance of focusing on a child's special interests to boost motivation and learning outcomes

  • How to implement effective interventions quickly, even for older students

  • The impact of mastery in research and writing on long-term confidence and employability

  • The role of AI in accelerating learning and research skills in educational settings

  • Addressing common misconceptions: dyslexia is a processing, not just a reading, issue

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and today's focus on dyslexia

00:22 - Russell Van Brocklin's background and mission

01:08 - How Russell’s personal experience informs his methods

01:52 - The importance of neuroscience in understanding dyslexia

02:19 - Russell’s unique approach derived from overcoming his own challenges

03:36 - Challenges faced in traditional learning environments

04:03 - The power of focus and neuroscience in effective teaching

05:22 - Case study: teaching reading and writing through neuro-based strategies

06:41 - Outcomes of intensive, focused intervention programs

07:29 - Resources from top research in the field: "Overcoming Dyslexia" from Yale

08:17 - Brain activity differences and their educational implications

09:02 - Teaching strategies for specific language skills and practical exercises

10:07 - How to help children add grammatical elements like plural 's'

11:07 - The importance of spelling and practice in mastery

12:05 - The role of concentration and deliberate practice

13:04 - Connecting neuroscience with everyday classroom strategies

14:12 - Correcting spelling and grammatical mistakes effectively

15:07 - The advantages of intensive, targeted interventions over traditional methods

16:09 - The power of motivation and how to sustain it in learning

17:06 - Using engaging materials like Disney to develop vocabulary and reading skills

18:12 - Strategies for vocabulary mastery and long-term retention

19:23 - Transformation stories: from struggling to reading at or above grade level

20:21 - The impact of focused intervention on real-world employability

21:17 - Addressing organizational and ideation challenges in dyslexic learners

22:43 - Teaching dyslexic students to think linearly via writing and questioning

23:37 - How confidence develops through mastery and research skills

24:12 - Moving from frustration to confidence: success stories

25:38 - The craft of research applied to literacy and problem solving

26:34 - Embracing artificial intelligence as a tool to accelerate learning

27:29 - Real-world examples of AI boosting productivity and problem solving

28:23 - How to teach students to find and follow patterns

29:16 - Making education relevant: from general to specific and back

30:30 - The importance of parents and teachers collaborating actively

31:17 - Motivating students through tailored goals and interest-driven learning

32:30 - The upcoming book and future plans for dissemination of strategies

33:19 - Significance of addressing the core issue: neurodevelopment and processing skills

34:27 - Reframing dyslexia as an advantage, not just a reading disorder

35:39 - Demonstrating the power of dense, complex reading with focus and training

37:54 - Using real-life examples to illustrate teaching success

39:19 - The analogy of sports and foundational skills in education

41:14 - Classroom practices that hinder learning when misaligned with neurodiverse needs

42:54 - Addressing behavioral issues with strategic motivation

44:07 - Example of using unconventional methods to teach responsibility and task completion

45:41 - The role of parent involvement in reinforcing learning

47:19 - Success stories of motivated students overturning initial deficits

48:17 - What's next: the outline for upcoming detailed strategies and implementation tips

50:16 - How to contact Russell and access additional resources

51:15 - Closing remarks: empowering families and educators to embrace effective change

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🌟 Connect with our Guest:

🌐 Website: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHg

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87/

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The Go Slow To Go Fast Podcast is provided for entertainment and educational purposes only. The views and opinions shared are personal and are not intended as medical, mental health, financial, or professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your specific health, medical, or personal circumstances. Any actions you take based on this content are at your own discretion, and results depend on your individual commitment, circumstances, and responsibility.