Parent Workshops & Videos

Decoding Dyslexia NC hosts parent workshops throughout the year via Zoom. Whenever possible, we will link workshop slides and recordings to this page. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to register for upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you at a future workshop!

2025

October 21, 2025- Youth Panel Event!
Clinical Social Worker Shannon McNamara joined our amazing North Carolina Youth Panel in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month to discuss their experiences with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and how they have found awesome ways to THRIVE each and every day!!! The event was not recorded due to several of our panelists being minors, but Shannon McNamara of Connective Parenting shared the following handouts. You can learn more about Shannon and Connective Parenting at https://www.connectiveparenting.com/

Strengths Based School Advocacy IEP vs 504
Learning Disabilities Tech Resources
Strength Based Resources (books & websites)

April 28, 2025- Light it Up! Strengthen Attention, Strengthen Learning
Special guest, speech-language pathologist Lysandra Sykes, joined us to talk about the important role attention plays in learning, including background information regarding types of attention, impacts of poor attention awareness and redirection, ways to introduce the concept of attention with children in concrete and engaging ways, and strategies for improving this crucial executive function skill!
*Note: Contact DDNC directly at decodingdyslexianc@gmail.com for access to the workshop recording
Workshop References-https://drive.google.com/file/d/1krT_9nmMHjttQRXtDhzjppdKQx0DnamK/view?usp=sharing
Workshop Resources-https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Ibr2L2t_E1IejNmoyBwmt8RpI3RCG8J/view?usp=sharing
Learn more about Lysandra and her executive function services here https://www.bloomwildflowerstherapy.com/

February 20, 2025- Goals, Growth & the Gap!
Special guest, Dr. Rebecca Felton, joined us to talk about the importance of gathering thorough data to be able to establish quality goals, monitoring progress and growth to ensure that the gap is closing, and what to ask when that is not occurring, in addition to answering our questions! Dr. Felton is an esteemed researcher, educator, and advocate, focussing much of her career on disorders of reading, including dyslexia. She was an integral part of North Carolina’s SIP team, developing literacy education professional development courses for NC teachers.
Webinar Recording
NC Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilitieshttps://www.dpi.nc.gov/policies-governing-students-children-disabilities/download?attachmentECAC Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center https://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/

February 12, 2025- Understanding Dysgraphia
Special guest, Dr. Jennifer King, joined us to talk about all things dysgraphia, including signs and symptoms, common misconceptions, interventions, accommodations, and more! Jennifer C. King, PdD is increasing awareness and catalyzing research for people impacted by dysgraphia. She is President and Founder of Dysgraphia Life as well as an expert speaker, research scientist, family member to people with learning disabilities in written expression, and vocal advocate. She founded Dysgraphia Life to raise awareness of dysgraphia while providing information, support, and resources to people with writing difficulties and their loved ones. Visit her website here
Workshop Video Recording
Workshop Slides
Dysgraphia Life Resources page: https://www.dysgraphia.life/resources
More FREE webinars from Dysgraphia Life: https://learn.dysgraphia.life/collections/free-webinars

2024

April 8, 2024- Advocate for Your Student: From Prevention to Dispute Resolution
Special guest, Rebecca Cathcart, Law Associate with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Right to Education Project (REP), discusses tips for effectively advocating for your child at school and options for dispute resolution.
**Sign up for the REP Newsletter so you don’t miss updates (scroll to the bottom of the page)! https://legalaidnc.org/project/rep/ 
Workshop YouTube Video
Workshop Slides & Resource Links
NC School/District Report Cards https://ncreports.ondemand.sas.com/src/

January 24, 2024- AI and Dyslexia with Amy Oswalt of The Lab SchoolJoin Amy Oswalt, Director of Innovation and Online Programs at The Lab School of Washington, to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Dyslexia! She explores possible uses of Chat GPT, Khanmigo, Synthesis Tutor and more, discussing how AI resources can support and enhance learning with students who have language-based learning differences, like dyslexia.
YouTube Video

2023

Identifying Signs of Literacy StruggleWhat signs and risk factors of literacy struggle can you be on the lookout for in your child?YouTube Video
Signs of Literacy Struggle Slides with Resource Links

October 24, 2023- Dyslexia & Advocacy: How to Make Sure the Goals Address the Needs
Dyslexia expert, advocate, and founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute, Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, joins DDNC to discuss the development of appropriate IEP goals that drive effective support services for students struggling with literacy.
https://www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org/
Workshop Video
Workshop Slides

October 12, 2023- Understanding Dyslexia Evaluations: Public Schools vs. Private Practice
Speech pathologist and expert in dyslexia evaluation and treatment, Meghan Baulch, joins DDNC’s Emily Mora (SLP) to discuss the N.C. public school dyslexia evaluation process, IEE process, and private practice evaluation process. Meghan is the co-founder of Therapy & Education Connections in Holly Springs, NC.
https://www.therapyedconnect.com/
Workshop Video
Workshop Slides

May 23, 2023- Technology Resources for Reading & Writing!
Technology consultant and speech pathologist Joan Green discusses her top tech recommendations to support reading and writing for students of all ages, as well as adults. If you have any questions, Joan is happy to help! Contact information is available here https://innovativespeech.com/contact/

Workshop Handouts
Workshop Video

February 16, 2023- A Doctor with DyslexiaGuest speaker, cardiologist Dr. Scott Jerome, discusses his personal experiences with dyslexia, and how he learned to embrace his differences and find pathways to success!
Workshop Video
Resources Mentioned:
1. ChatGPT- https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/
2. Stable Diffusion Online- https://stablediffusionweb.com/
3. Dragon Dictation Software- https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html
4. Grammarly Speech to Test Software- https://www.grammarly.com/

January 26, 2023- Understanding School Literacy Screening   
Topics covered in this workshop:
-The purpose of universal screening
-NC policy on screening
-Understanding mCLASS DIBELS screening results
-What happens next?
-BOG/EOG reading assessments
-Parent rights

Workshop Slides
Workshop Video