Dyslexia Duo Podcast Episode 84 - Megan Pinchback

The Dyslexia Duo: Megan Pinchbeck on Dyslexia on Demand, CALT Training, and the Emotional Experience of Dyslexia

The Dyslexia Duo (Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth) interview Megan Pinchbeck, a Certified Academic Language Therapist and founder of Dyslexia on Demand, about her path from special education into CALT training at Scottish Rite in Austin and how intensive training and practitioner rigor affect student outcomes. Megan emphasizes widespread confusion about dyslexia services nationwide, differences among states in identification requirements, and the need for better legislation implementation, educator training, and systemic checks and balances. She explains Dyslexia on Demand’s pre-COVID origins to expand access for rural families, its virtual therapy model, the importance of therapist-student fit and relationship building, and its reach (over 1,000 served; currently about 200 across about half of U.S. states, plus some abroad). She discusses her “Don’t Call On Me” podcast’s focus on shared dyslexia stories and emotional impact, and previews webinars on simulations, teachers, SEL, accommodations, and “no dumb questions.”

00:00 Welcome Dyslexia Duo 00:42 Meet Megan Pinchbeck 01:33 Path to Dyslexia Therapy 04:10 Inside CALT Training 06:42 Who Counts as Certified 08:49 Emotional Side of Dyslexia 13:34 What Schools Get Wrong 17:58 Medical Diagnosis Confusion 22:09 Building Dyslexia on Demand 25:58 Making Virtual Therapy Work 31:54 Program Reach and Growth 32:53 Starting the Podcast 35:12 Emotional Side of Dyslexia 36:31 Generational Dyslexia Stories 38:48 Building Confidence in Kids 39:32 Spreading Awareness and Policy 42:57 School Funding Front Lines 44:40 First Steps for Parents 48:20 Adults as Dyslexia Mentors 53:10 Webinars and Core Basics 55:55 Resources and Where to Find 57:50 Lightning Round 01:02:52 Final Thanks and Sign Off