In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with dyslexia educator Russell Van Brocklen about his personal experience with severe reading and writing challenges and the teaching methods he developed from that experience. Russell explains how he uses a student’s area of strong interest, specific-to-general questioning, repetition, and a process he calls word analysis followed by articulation to build reading and writing skills. He shares examples of students who improved their literacy levels through parent-led instruction and discusses his goal of helping families and schools use these methods at a lower cost. The conversation also explores student motivation, ADHD, dysgraphia, research writing, and the role of artificial intelligence in preparing young people for future work.

Takeaways

• Russell’s work grew from his own experience with severe dyslexia and discrimination in higher education.
• He says dyslexic students often rely more on the front part of the brain when processing language.
• His method uses word analysis followed by articulation to help students form and correct sentences.
• Students begin with topics they like or dislike so they can practice with familiar ideas.
• Reading written work aloud helps students notice grammar and sentence structure problems.
• Repetition plays a major role in his approach to spelling, writing, and sentence development.
• Russell encourages parents to find each child’s specialty, or strongest area of interest and ability.
• He teaches students through specific questions before moving toward broader ideas.
• Parents can use the method at home with guidance, according to the examples shared in the episode.
• Russell’s long-term goal is to help dyslexic students move beyond grade-level work and develop advanced research and AI skills.

Today's guest, Russell Von Brocklen, can be found at:

Website: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/

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

Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at:

Website: https://angelhoward.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/

Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi

Keywords

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ADD, literacy, reading, writing, education, special education, homeschooling, parent-led learning, student motivation, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, brain activity, word analysis, articulation, grammar, spelling, sentence structure, repetition, specific-to-general learning, student interests, academic intervention, research writing, critical thinking, artificial intelligence, AI skills, prompt engineering, Orton-Gillingham, reading support, writing support