Katie Megrian hosts Michelle Henderson, a literacy and dyslexia specialist and creator of the Parent Blueprint, to discuss how reading develops and how parents can advocate for struggling readers. Michelle shares that her son’s reading struggles led her to study the science of reading and focus on equipping parents, noting many children fall through cracks due to gaps in training, not lack of care. They explain why “just read more at home” is insufficient, contrasting structured literacy (explicit, systematic, evidence-based) with balanced literacy, and connect NAEP results to the need for better instruction. Michelle outlines early dyslexia signs, stresses early action, and describes her $47 Parent Blueprint course and free parent-teacher conference guide at michellehendersonliteracy.com. They address older students whose grades mask deficits, the value of OG-style individualized intervention, graphic novels and movies for access and motivation, continuing read-alouds, and supporting children’s self-esteem and self-advocacy.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:30 Meet Michelle Henderson

01:15 Why Advocacy Matters

03:13 Reading Symphony Analogy

04:43 Read Aloud Is Not Enough

07:46 Basics of Reading Skills

08:52 Structured Literacy Training

10:09 Balanced Literacy Debate

14:08 Why Dyslexia Name Matters

19:19 Kindergarten Wake Up Call

24:34 Early Signs of Dyslexia

27:17 Parent Blueprint Course

29:20 Tools Modules And PDFs

32:16 Pricing Giveaway And Free Guide

33:40 Teen Dyslexia Hidden Struggles

37:43 Orton Gillingham For Older Readers

43:20 Movies Graphic Novels And Joy

46:51 Read Alouds And Audio Access

49:55 Handling Discouragement And Hope

51:29 Final Thanks And Podcast Outro

Michelle's Website

Michelle's course