In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Kait Feriante, co-founder and CEO of Redwood Literacy, about helping children with dyslexia build confidence and find reading support that fits their needs. Kait shares how teaching bright students who struggled to read led her and her husband Andre to become specialist teachers and establish Redwood. She explains why their approach expanded beyond the Wilson Reading System to include other methods, including SPELL-Links and UFLI. Kait also reflects on Andre’s discovery of his own dyslexia and how parenting their dyslexic daughter deepened her understanding of the emotional challenges behind academic struggles. From stepping back as her daughter’s tutor to seeing dictation unlock her storytelling, Kait offers an honest look at supporting a child without letting school scores define their potential. The conversation explores self-advocacy, recognising strengths, and how mind mapping and assistive technology can help children express their ideas and take ownership of their learning.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.

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Links:

• ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/
• What is Dyslexia: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
• How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners
• Redwood Literacy: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/
• Redwood Literacy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodliteracy/
• Redwood Literacy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@redwoodlearning
• Redwood Literacy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjN-BogTHtaoI9L8wuaHmQg
• Redwood Literacy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodliteracychicago/
• Redwood Literacy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redwoodliteracy
• Free Consultation Booking: https://redwoodliteracyscheduling.as.me/schedule/2c3b1c27/appointment/56124248/calendar/9385168?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=56124248
• Free Starter Access to Writing Our World: https://www.writing-our-world.com/offers/oMAKKrKk/checkout
• Writing Our World (for teachers) Website: https://www.writing-our-world.com
• Writing Our World Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writing.our.world/
• Writing Our World TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writing.our.world
• Writing Our World Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writingourworld
• About Kait, Andre and the Redwood Team: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/dyslexia-treatment-team/
• Redwood Parent Support Programme: https://www.redwoodlearning.org/the-8-week-guided-parent-support-program
• Redwood Blog and Resources: https://www.redwoodliteracy.com/blog/
• Kait’s Email: kait@redwoodliteracy.com
• Wilson Reading System: https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/resources/articles/wilson-reading-system-curriculum/
• SPELL-Links: https://spell-links.com/
• UFLI Foundations: https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/foundations/
• Google Docs Voice Typing: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226

• Episode 126 — Other Ways to Teach Reading with Nora Chahbazi: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PouYIAxgKZB3att3O6m0C

Interested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app