When a student struggles with reading or spelling, how do you know what you're really seeing?
Maybe you have a student who struggles to sound out words. Or perhaps they can read words accurately but struggle to recognize them automatically. Maybe their spelling is significantly weaker than their other academic skills.
You know something isn't quite coming together, but you're not sure whether you're looking at dyslexia, another literacy difficulty, or a combination of needs.
And even when a student has already been identified with dyslexia, understanding what that means for their day-to-day instruction isn't always straightforward.
Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 students,
so we want to have a space to talk about it.
In this one-hour, on-demand Spotlight PD, we'll unpack what dyslexia really looks like, how to recognize common patterns in students' literacy skills, and what we can do to support them through evidence-based instruction and accommodations.
Plus, you'll have the opportunity to ask me questions directly in the training comments!
One-hour on-demand training | Dyslexia Toolkit | PD certificate | Lifetime access
Dyslexia is about more than a label. It's about understanding how a student learns to read and spell.
As an educational diagnostician, I spend a lot of time looking at literacy assessment data and helping families and educators understand what those results mean.
And one of the things I think is so important is recognizing that dyslexia doesn't look exactly the same in every student.
Some students struggle significantly with decoding. Others develop reasonable accuracy but continue to struggle with fluent, automatic word recognition. Some have persistent spelling difficulties that are easy to overlook.
Understanding those patterns can help us recognize when further evaluation may be appropriate and, just as importantly, consider how to support the student instructionally.
Inside the training, we'll walk through identification (and discuss what dyslexia is and isn’t), what to look for in students’ literacy skills, and how to support students with dyslexia (through instruction, accommodations, and human-centered connection).
Each step is highly practical and action-based.
And when you have questions, you can ask me!
One of my favorite parts of teaching these Spotlight PDs is having conversations with educators and parents about what they're learning and how it connects to their students.
When you join this training, you'll have access to the lesson comments, where you can leave questions for me to answer.
Maybe you're wondering why a particular literacy skill matters when considering dyslexia. Maybe you're trying to make sense of a pattern you're noticing, or you have a question about how a strategy might apply to your instruction.
You can ask those questions right inside the training, and I'll help you think through them.
No live meetings to schedule. Just a practical training you can revisit, with an educational diagnostician available to answer questions through the comments.
Please note: Questions and responses are educational in nature. This training does not provide individual student evaluations, diagnostic determinations, or private case consultations. Student information shared in course comments should be de-identified.
Hi, I'm Corey!
Founder of Ascend SMARTER Intervention and an educational diagnostician with a master's degree in clinical psychology, focused on testing and assessment.
I've spent more than 20 years working directly with students, including experience at Johns Hopkins University, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the University of Denver, where I had the opportunity to work alongside professionals specializing in learning disabilities, assessment, and child development.
One of the things I'm most passionate about is helping educators (and parents) understand what assessment data is actually telling us about a student. Because identifying a learning difficulty is only part of the picture. What really matters is understanding what that means for the student and how we can support them.
I still work directly with students today, and I bring that combination of clinical experience, assessment knowledge, and practical literacy instruction into everything I teach.
My goal is to help you better understand your student(s) so you can feel more confident about what to do next.
Everything included for $35
☝️ Get the Dyslexia Toolkit with the Training
1-Hour On-Demand Training: Watch at your own pace and revisit the material whenever you need a refresher.
Dyslexia Toolkit & Workbook: Access printable resources that help you recognize common signs of dyslexia, incorporate evidence-based reading and spelling strategies, consider meaningful accommodations, and navigate conversations about dyslexia.
Questions Answered by an Educational Diagnostician: Ask general questions about the training material and its instructional applications directly in the lesson comments.
1-Hour Professional Development Certificate: Complete the training and short quiz to receive your printable PD certificate.
Lifetime Access to the Training: Return to the video and resources whenever you need them.
Who is this training for?
Whether you're a classroom teacher, interventionist, special educator, literacy coach, tutor, or parent, this training is designed to help you build a clearer understanding of dyslexia.
If you're relatively new to dyslexia, you'll get a practical foundation without having to sort through complicated terminology on your own.
If you've been working with students with dyslexia for years, this training provides an opportunity to revisit the fundamentals, think more intentionally about the patterns you're seeing, and ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. This training focuses on understanding dyslexia, recognizing common characteristics, and supporting students through evidence-based instruction and accommodations.
A formal determination of dyslexia requires an appropriate comprehensive evaluation conducted by qualified professionals. This training can help you better understand relevant literacy skills and recognize when additional evaluation may be appropriate.
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You're welcome to ask general questions about literacy patterns, assessment concepts, and instructional considerations in the training comments. I personally respond to help clarify the material and discuss possible next steps.
However, the comments aren't a substitute for an individual student evaluation or professional consultation, and I can't determine whether a specific student has dyslexia through course comments. Please don't share identifiable student information.
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Absolutely! We start with the fundamentals, including common misconceptions and characteristics, before exploring how educators can recognize patterns and support students.
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You'll receive immediate access after purchasing. You can watch the video and use the resources at your own pace.
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After your one-time purchase, you’ll have access to the training forever (watch anytime).
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A professional development certificate is automatically emailed to you upon completion of a short quiz.
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Individual purchases are for single-user access. If you're interested in using the training with a school or team, please contact us for group pricing.
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If you're not satisfied, you can request a full refund within seven days of purchase.
Better understand dyslexia. Recognize the patterns.
Support your students.
You don't need to have every answer before you can begin supporting a student who is struggling with reading or spelling.
This training will help you build a clearer understanding of dyslexia, recognize patterns worth exploring, and make more informed decisions about supporting your students.
And if you have questions along the way, you can ask.
Get Instant Access – $35 | Includes Lifetime Access + PD Certificate →
Includes the on-demand training, Dyslexia Toolkit, PD certificate, and lifetime access to the training materials.
