59. Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis with Casey Harrison, The Dyslexia Classroom (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

What does it really mean to teach beyond the diagnosis? In this inspiring Dyslexia Awareness Month conversation, I sit down with Casey Harrison—Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and founder of The Dyslexia Classroom®—to unpack how we can meet the academic needs of students with dyslexia and nurture their confidence, self-understanding, and advocacy skills.

Casey has been immersed in structured literacy for nearly three decades and recently published her new book, Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis: Empowering Students with Dyslexia. In this episode, she shares why dyslexia is never the whole story, how to honor the unique learning profile of each student, and why self-esteem and metacognitive awareness are just as essential as phonics instruction.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why dyslexia looks different in every child (and why contradictory signs are common).
  • The power of the “dyslexia iceberg” and the hidden emotional toll beneath academics.
  • How structured literacy can (and must) adapt to the student in front of us.
  • Strategies for building student confidence and authentic self-advocacy.
  • Why celebrating progress—every baby step—is crucial to student success.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance evidence-based literacy instruction with the human side of teaching, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to look at your students holistically.

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