Understanding Dyslexia with Elise Cassidy

In this important episode of the All Kids Can Podcast, Kristy Haworth welcomes speech pathologist and dyslexia advocate Elise Cassidy. Elise is the director of Little Voices Speech Pathology and a founding member of Code Read Dyslexia Network. With over 30 years of experience, Elise has worked extensively with children with language and literacy difficulties, both in Australia and the UK.

Together, Kristy and Elise dive deep into the realities of dyslexia—how it’s identified, common myths, the emotional impact on children, and how parents can effectively advocate for support within the school system.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Elise’s journey into speech pathology and her passion for supporting children with dyslexia.
✔️ How dyslexia is defined and the core difficulties that impact reading and spelling.
✔️ Early signs of dyslexia in preschoolers and young children.
✔️ Common myths about dyslexia (e.g., it’s a vision problem or can’t be diagnosed before age 7).
✔️ Practical strategies for parents to support their children at home with phonological awareness.
✔️ The role of assistive technology and when to introduce it to children - this might surprise you!
✔️ How dyslexia affects self-esteem and mental health—and why early intervention matters.
✔️ Advocacy tips for working with schools and ensuring evidence-based instruction is in place.
✔️ The importance of community support and organisations like Code Read Dyslexia Network.

Links & Resources Mentioned

🔗 Little Voices Speech Pathology – littlevoices.net.au
🔗 Code Read Dyslexia Network – codered.org.au
🔗 All Kids Can Education for Dyslexia Screening – allkidscan.com.au
🔗 Step Into Literacy Course for 6 months of intervention before diagnosis – CLICK HERE

Connect with Us

📸 Instagram: @allkidscaneducation
📩 Email: [e-mail]

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