Matrix Parents Presents: Practical Special Education
Matrix Parents, a program of the Marin Center for Independent Living, is a Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) in Marin County, California.
Matrix, along with almost 100 other PTICs around the country, provide training, advice and guidance to parents of children with disabilities. helping them navigate the systems that serve them.
This podcast series is designed to provide information on topics that our parents have told us they need.
The program is researched, written and recorded by one of our Parent Advisors, David Poeschl, a retired school district special education director and Cal State University lecturer.
We see every day the difficulty parents have trying to access systems initially, and the struggles to get and maintain a good special education program for their children over time.
We also know that knowledge is power, particularly when one is facing a complex and sometimes incredibly frustrating system. Studies consistently show that parents who are better informed are more satisfied with their children's IEP programs.
The podcasts in this series are designed to provide you with both the facts and, more importantly, the context and meaning that our experience with parents bring to us.
In addition, most of our Parent Advisors and staff have children with disabilities themselves, so they understand the deeply profound challenges and joys you face.
We hope you enjoy the series, and let us know if there are topics you want us to research for a possible future podcast.
Matrix Parents Presents: Practical Special Education
The Power of Dyslexic Thinking
In some places and in some industries the days when dyslexia, learning diiferences and other school based disabilities are seen as debilitating and in need of only rememdiation are gone.
Today, particularly in tech and some governmental agencies, "dyslexic thinking" is seen as an asset and not as a disability or a liability.
Dyslexic thinking can be defined as (Dictionary.com) "an approach to problem-solving, assessing information and learning often used by people with dyslexia that involves pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking and interpersonal communications".
The term dyslexic thinking can be thought of as an umbrella idea that encompasses terms such as twice exceptional or 2e, or neurodivergent.
Reserach and practical experience are recongnizing that not only is dyslexic thinking not a "handicap", it can be a gift that is and will continue to be highly prized by business, industry and the public sector.
A study that is used as the basis for this episode has found that the skills and talents of dyslexic thinkers are the most valuable of any group to benefit from the rise of AI.