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In some places and in some industries the days when dyslexia, learning diiferences and other school based disabilities are seen as debilitating and in need of only rememdiation are gone.

Today, particularly in tech and some governmental agencies, "dyslexic thinking" is seen as an asset and not as a disability or a liability.

Dyslexic thinking can be defined as (Dictionary.com) "an approach to problem-solving, assessing information and learning often used by people with dyslexia that involves pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking and interpersonal communications".

The term dyslexic thinking can be thought of as an umbrella idea that encompasses terms such as twice exceptional or 2e, or neurodivergent.

Reserach and practical experience are recongnizing that not only is dyslexic thinking not a "handicap", it can be a gift that is and will continue to be highly prized by business, industry and the public sector.

A study that is used as the basis for this episode has found that the skills and talents of dyslexic thinkers are the most valuable of any group to benefit from the rise of AI.

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AI is revolutionizing the technology that allows students with disabilities to access the general education curriculum. Struggling to read no longer means missing out on academic and social information that is text based or text heavy.

Devices like reading pens, that allow a student to scan text and hear it simultaneously will help that student access to all of the information their typical peers enjoy.

It goes beyond this of course, to include anything that interferes with a person's ability to access information and knowledge despite having a learning disability.

The promise of AI for education is that it will allow anyone to use their innate talents to create a life that they have the talent and drive to create, no matter their ability to read or calculate or stay organized.

The subject matter of this program relates to students who are high-functioning and in general education most or all of the time. In particular, the content addresses student needs who may have ADHD, high functioning autism and/or learning disabilities.

Hear how a parent can request a technology assessment from their school district, and how high-tech devices and apps can change a student's academic life.

Here are links to information about CAST, text to speech and speech to text technology.

CAST tech info: https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/accessibility-inclusive-technology/

Reading pen website: https://smarterlearningguide.com/reader-pens-for-dyslexia-are-they-right-for-your-child/

Speech to text website: https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/assistive-technology/articles/dictation-speech-text-technology-what-it-and-how-it-works

If you are interested in learning more, I have highlighted articles in .pdf format I would be happy to email to you.

Please email me at davidp@matrixparents.org and I will send the 3 articles I have out to you.

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I have seen a significant trend in my practice, teens with high functioning autism unable to attend school due to intense anxiety.

The problem of children with autism who are unable to cope with school and develop agoraphobic type symptoms has long been around, but the increased numbers of highly intelligent, often with a "superpower" talented young people who are unable to participate in their educations and life in general is tragic.

Schools are not being flexible and creative in addressing this. They insist on the old paradigm of highly structured behavioral model programs that simply don't work for these kids any longer. Many of them reject, sometimes with vehemence, the idea of the stucture of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) being practiced on them any longer. They "age out" in a way.

But there is hope, in the form of a study of a school in England that developed a program based on empathy, kindness, and most of all, flexibility. (a link to the article is at the bottom of the page)

The school is proving that the humanization of behavior interventions is still evolving.

The profound positive effect of ABA for serious maladaptive behaviors is clear. Lives have literally been saved and ABA has provided a path to autonomy for countless children.

However, without significant changes, I do not see evidence in my daily interactions with parents that ABA is working for their kids.

It's time to look at programs like the one featured in this episode and make similar models available here.

Link to article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37860824/

In the transcript section I've included a copy of the outline I wrote for the episode.

Thank you for listening!

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I've included a transcript of this episode. And here are a few helpful links to expand your knowledge of PBS.
- https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ80580
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_behavior_support
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5048254/

This will be the first of many podcast episodes featuring different aspects of PBS. I first started to write and record a training series for paraeducators and teachers, but decided to start this podcast instead.

I'm rewriting the series on behaviors to reflect a more general audience, particularly parents.

Enjoy the episode!
David

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a method of teaching that embeds accommodations for all students into general education settings. Students who are visual, or auditory, or tactile/sensory learners are taught, and the student can show mastery, in the way that uses their strengths.

UDL has been successfully implemented in thousands of classrooms around the country and its efficacy has been proven in these real settings.

Learn how students with special needs, indeed all learners, can benefit from a UDL classroom.

Here are links to resources mentioned in the episode

CAST: https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl

Reading pen website: https://smarterlearningguide.com/reader-pens-for-dyslexia-are-they-right-for-your-child/

Speech to text website: https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/assistive-technology/articles/dictation-speech-text-technology-what-it-and-how-it-works