Dyslexia and Me: Honest Conversations

SEND advocacy with Kelly Young

In this episode Laura Gowers talks with Kelly Young, about her journey into neurodiversity advocacy. She discusses the importance of understanding neurodiversity, the need for educational reform, and the significance of early screening and personalised support. Kelly highlights the importance of advocacy in navigating the educational system and offers insights into how parents can better support their children. More about the guest: Kelly Young is an ADHD, ASC, and neurodiversity coach, consultant and pre-assessor with over 20 years’ experience across mainstream education, specialist schools, and pupil referral units. She specialises in neurodiversity pre-assessments, SEND advocacy, and EHCP support, combining professional expertise with lived experience as a neurodiverse adult and parent. You can connect with Kelly: Instagram- @kelly.neurodiversitysupport [https://www.instagram.com/kelly.neurodiversitysupport/] Facebook- @neurodiversity.support.NorthDevon [https://www.facebook.com/neurodiversity.support.NorthDevon] Website - https://www.neurodiversitysupport.co.uk [https://www.neurodiversitysupport.co.uk] More about the host: Laura Gowers is an award winning dyslexia assessor, neurodivergence coach, former teacher and SENCo with over 23 years of experience in education. She is the founder of This is Dyslexia - Dyslexia assessments & coaching and runs a specialist dyslexia assessment centre in Canterbury, Kent, supporting children and adults locally and across the UK through in person and online assessments. Her work is strengths based, focusing on clarity, confidence and wellbeing, helping people move beyond labels and understand how their brain truly works. Website: https://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk [https://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk] Instagram: @thisisdyslexiauk [https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyslexiauk/] Facebook: @LauraGowersUK [https://www.facebook.com/LauraGowersUK] Facebook Page:@this.is.dyslexia.uk [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk] Key Takeaways Kelly's journey into advocacy began with her son Joshua's neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is about recognising unique brain wiring and learning styles. Education systems need to adapt to support neurodiverse children better. Early screening for neurodiversity can lead to better outcomes for children. Advocacy involves standing beside families and helping them navigate the system. Building trust and confidence in children is crucial for their self-esteem. Technology can be a powerful tool for supporting neurodiverse learners. Teachers need more training in neurodiversity to better support their students. Parents should celebrate their children's strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses. Creating a nurturing environment in schools is essential for all children. Keywords neurodiversity, education reform, advocacy, early screening, self-esteem, learning styles, technology in education, parental support, mental health, special educational needs

Putting yourself First as an adult with dyslexia with Angie Mays

In this episode Laura Gowers talks with Angie Mays, a mindset coach and disability work coach. The conversation explores the challenges of dyslexia in education, the impact of dyslexia on daily life and the importance of self-compassion and self-advocacy for dyslexic individuals. Angie Mays shares her personal experiences and insights, highlighting the need for understanding and support for dyslexic individuals in various aspects of life. More about the guest: Angie Mays is a mindset coach and disability work coach. She works with neurodivergent individuals in her job an exhausted women in her business. Her knowledge of her own dyslexia has allowed her to go from overwhelmed to calm. Supporting other individuals to understand their own needs through one to one coaching enabling to have more clarity and direction in their lives by putting their needs first through her You First method. You can connect with Angie: Instagram- @angiemaysmindsetcoach [https://www.instagram.com/angiemaysmindsetcoach/] Facebook- @angiemaysmindsetcoach [https://www.facebook.com/angiemaysmindsetcoach] More about the host: Laura Gowers is an award winning dyslexia assessor, neurodivergence coach, former teacher and SENCo with over 23 years of experience in education. She is the founder of This is Dyslexia - Dyslexia assessments & coaching and runs a specialist dyslexia assessment centre in Canterbury, Kent, supporting children and adults locally and across the UK through in person and online assessments. Her work is strengths based, focusing on clarity, confidence and wellbeing, helping people move beyond labels and understand how their brain truly works. Website: www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk [https://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk] Instagram: @thisisdyslexiauk [https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyslexiauk/] Facebook: @LauraGowersUK [https://www.facebook.com/LauraGowersUK] Facebook Page:@this.is.dyslexia.uk [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk/] Takeaways * Dyslexia challenges in education * Impact of dyslexia on daily life * Self-compassion and self-advocacy for dyslexic individuals

Managing Dyslexia and ADHD in the corporate environment with Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski

In this episode, Laura Gowers speaks with Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski, founder of Thinking Light Coach, about her late identification of dyslexia and ADHD. Danielle shares what it was like growing up without the language to understand her differences, the impact of masking in school and corporate spaces, and how this shaped her confidence and career. She explores the role of coaching in supporting neurodivergent adults and discusses the need for genuinely neuro-inclusive workplaces, advocating for practical changes that allow people to thrive rather than just cope. More about the guest: Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski is the founder of Thinking Light Coach, a practice centred on rest, access and sustainable success for neurodivergent adults, with lived experience of dyslexia and ADHD. After 20 years in corporate STEM roles and co-founding a Neurodiversity Network, she now works as a neurodiverse coach, consultant, trainer and TEDx speaker, supporting people to understand their patterns, ease long-held self-blame and build practical tools into everyday life, while helping organisations take practical steps towards genuine neuro-inclusive cultures. You can connect with Danielle: Instagram- @thinkinglightcoach [https://www.instagram.com/thinkinglightcoach] Facebook- @thinkinglightcoach [https://www.facebook.com/thinkinglightcoach] LinkedIn - Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cudjoe-michalski/] More about the host: Laura Gowers is an award winning dyslexia assessor, neurodivergence coach, former teacher and SENCo with over 23 years of experience in education. She is the founder of This is Dyslexia - Dyslexia assessments & coaching and runs a specialist dyslexia assessment centre in Canterbury, Kent, supporting children and adults locally and across the UK through in person and online assessments. Her work is strengths based, focusing on clarity, confidence and wellbeing, helping people move beyond labels and understand how their brain truly works. Website: www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk [http://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk] Instagram: @thisisdyslexiauk [https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyslexiauk/] Facebook: @LauraGowersUK [https://www.facebook.com/LauraGowersUK] Facebook Page:@ [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk/]this.is.dyslexia.uk [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk]

Your brain, your money: ADHD, Dyslexia and Neurodivergent Business with Maddy Alexander-Grout

In this episode, Laura Gowers speaks with Maddy Alexander-Grout, a neurodivergent entrepreneur and author, who shares her journey as an ADHD money and business coach. Diagnosed with Dyslexia as a child and ADHD at 37, Maddy discusses the challenges she faced with money management, impulsive spending, and the impact of her neurodivergent conditions on her life and career. She emphasises the importance of understanding your own brain to manage finances effectively. Maddy also addresses misconceptions about dyslexia and the media's portrayal of neurodivergent conditions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding and support for those affected. More about the guest: Maddy Alexander-Grout is a multi award winning entrepreneur , and best selling Author of Mad About Money- Managing finances and life with ADHD , she is a disability advocate as well as being a business and money coach for neurodivergents. You can connect with Maddy: instagram- @maddytalksmoney [https://www.instagram.com/maddytalksmoney/?hl=en] Instagram - @maddyversecommunity [https://www.instagram.com/maddyversecommunity/?hl=en] TikTok- @madaboutmoneyofficial [https://www.tiktok.com/@madaboutmoneyofficial] Join the From Invisible To In Demand Masterclass [https://maddyverse.co.uk/from-invisible-to-in-demand-2026] More about the host: Laura Gowers is an award winning dyslexia assessor, neurodivergence coach and former teacher and SENCo with over 23 years of experience in education. She is the founder of This is Dyslexia - Dyslexia assessments & coaching and runs a specialist dyslexia assessment centre in Canterbury, Kent, supporting children and adults locally and across the UK through in person and online assessments. Her work is strengths based, focusing on clarity, confidence and wellbeing, helping people move beyond labels and understand how their brain truly works. Website: www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk [http://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk] Instagram:@thisisdyslexiauk [https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyslexiauk] Facebook: @LauraGowersUK [https://www.facebook.com/LauraGowersUK] Facebook Page:@this.is.dyslexia.uk [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk/]

Overcoming Dyslexic Labels: A message of empowerment with Rose Gibson

In this episode, Laura Gowers speaks with Rose Gibson, a dyslexic entrepreneur and author, about her experiences with dyslexia, the impact of technology, and the importance of understanding different learning styles in education. Rose shares her journey from struggling with reading and spelling to becoming a successful business owner and author, emphasising the power of belief and the role of supportive environments in overcoming challenges. The conversation also touches on parenting and how to foster a positive learning experience for children with dyslexia. Key takeaways * Dyslexia can shape one's identity and self-perception. * Technology plays a crucial role in managing dyslexia today. * Understanding different learning styles is essential for effective education. * Writing can be a therapeutic and empowering process for dyslexics. * Celebrating small achievements is important for building confidence. * Dyslexia does not define one's capabilities or potential. * Supportive environments can significantly impact learning outcomes. * Parents should focus on understanding rather than comparing children's abilities. * Mistakes are a natural part of learning and should be embraced. * Belief in oneself is key to overcoming challenges. More about the guest: Rose Gibson is a Yorkshire based entrepreneur, mum of three and founder of BabyBeats, a national franchise helping women build flexible, family friendly businesses supporting mothers through pregnancy and beyond. Her Amazon bestselling book, l'm Fine: The Truth About Becoming a Mum (That No One Warns You About), shines a light on the raw, emotional truths of motherhood. BabyBeats (https:/ www.babybeats.co.uk [http://www.babybeats.co.uk]) offers exercise classes by qualified fitness professionals for mum and baby, mindful movers for toddlers and children and adult exercise classes. Social media links: @babybeatsuk [https://www.instagram.com/babybeatsuk] and @babybeatshq [https://www.facebook.com/babybeatsuk] More about the host: Laura Gowers is a dyslexia assessor, neurodivergence coach and former teacher and SENCo with over 23 years of experience in education. She is the founder of This is Dyslexia - Dyslexia assessments and coaching and runs a specialist dyslexia assessment centre in Canterbury, Kent, supporting children and adults locally and across the UK through in person and online assessments. Her work is strengths based, focusing on clarity, confidence and wellbeing, helping people move beyond labels and understand how their brain truly works. Website: www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk [http://www.thisisdyslexia.co.uk] Instagram: @thisisdyslexiauk [https://www.instagram.com/thisisdyslexiauk] Facebook: LauraGowersUK [https://www.facebook.com/LauraGowersUK] Facebook Page: @this.is.dyslexia.uk [https://www.facebook.com/this.is.dyslexia.uk/]