4.17 Bridging Oceans, Building Understanding: A Transatlantic Talk on Dyslexia with Nicky Humphreys & Ally Lewis
In this episode, we’re joined by Nicky Humphreys and Ally Lewis, the founding members of Dyslexia Awareness Northern Ireland, for a transatlantic talk on dyslexia.
Nicky Humphreys did her PGCE Primary in 2004/05; in 2016, she commenced a postgraduate diploma in teaching literacy to learners with dyslexia/SpLD through the Northern Ireland Dyslexia Centre. She worked as a tutor for the Centre in Belfast for a few years before setting up her own small business teaching children in her local area and working with her local schools. Her professional body is PATOSS. She is married to Marshall and they have three children. She loves spring/summer and holidays.
Ally Lewis is a former pediatric and neonatal nurse who transitioned into education after having children. Her personal journey into literacy advocacy began when her son struggled with reading and spelling in early primary school. Frustrated by the lack of support and resources in Northern Ireland, Ally pursued structured literacy training in Belfast. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for children with dyslexia, offering support to families and working one-on-one with students in schools.
Together, along with Jodi Snowdon (who now works for NESSY), Nicky and Ally founded the Facebook page and advocacy group in Northern Ireland, DANI (Dyslexia Awareness Northern Ireland).
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Nessy
- The Dyslexia SpLD Trust
- Dyslexia Awareness NI
- Dyslexia Crisis in Northern Ireland
- Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz M.D.
- Science of Reading (SOR) Discussion and Support Group NI Teachers
- Science of Reading Discussion for Irish Teachers
- Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis: Empowering Students with Dyslexia by Casey Harrison
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For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
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Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
