Bright Solutions for Dyslexia

December 2025 Newsletter

New This Month

• Steven Spielberg Dyslexic?
• Holiday Travel Tips
• Dyslexia Didn't Stop Ella

To Our Amazing Community

Holiday Travel Tips

Use Apps to Stay Organized

• Polarsteps: Uses AI to create custom travel routes based on your interests and past trips. Great for kids who like routine—it allows you to see your plan in advance.
• Wanderlog: Combines packing lists, daily schedules, and even shared family budgets in one place. A great tool for teens who like to track and prepare.
• TripIt: Pulls together all your confirmation emails into one easy-to-follow itinerary. Simple, visual, and perfect for anyone who struggles with multi-step directions.
• PackingListChecklist: Helps create and manage packing lists for trips.
• Google Maps: Let your child help enter destinations before you travel. Previewing locations can reduce anxiety.
• Airline apps: Most now include GPS-enabled terminal maps. Some even show how long the security line is or when your gate changes.

Other Helpful Tips

• Confirm your reservations — double-check dates and a.m./p.m. times.
• Back up your documents — print boarding passes and IDs or take screenshots.
• Build in buffer time — especially if new places or transitions are stressful.
• Encourage independence — invite your child to help track items on your packing list or “navigate” between stops.
• These tips—along with a little patience and flexibility—should make holiday travel more enjoyable for everyone.

These tips—along with a little patience and flexibility—should make holiday travel more enjoyable for everyone.

Barton Certification

Ella's Transformation

By Susan Barton

Susan Barton loves hearing from parents about the impact Barton tutoring has had on their child, as this parent shared:

We first noticed our daughter, Ella, was struggling in kindergarten. When her school closed because of COVID, her teacher sent home sight words to practice. No matter how many times we reviewed them, she could not remember them. The next morning, it was as if she had never seen them before. We became very concerned.

In first grade, Ella started receiving extra help at school from the Reading Specialist. It wasn’t long before we knew she needed more intense intervention. While sharing our concerns with other parents, two moms encouraged us to have Ella evaluated at the Dyslexia Reading Connection, and we will be forever grateful for their advice. When Ella was diagnosed with dyslexia, our overwhelming feeling was relief. We finally understood why reading was so hard for her.

Ella talks openly about her dyslexia and embraces the unique way her brain works. We remind her often that she is “perfectly and wonderfully made,” and this journey has only strengthened that belief.

The Barton Reading & Spelling System has truly helped our daughter. The transformation has been remarkable. Today, Ella is reading at grade level! Barton tutoring has given her the confidence to do anything. We are so thankful to you, the staff at DRC, and Ms. Karrie — her incredible tutor.

Jackie Sharkey
Parent
Appleton, WI

Karrie Brass
Certified Barton Tutor at the Masters Level
Appleton, WI

To listen to this, or to share it, click here.

Behind The Lens Of Dyslexia

By Cheryl Dover

Before Steven Spielberg became one of the most iconic filmmakers in history—with classics like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park—he was a young boy who struggled in school. He was two years behind in reading and was often the last to finish assignments. He lived in constant fear of being called on to read aloud. Some teachers assumed he wasn’t trying hard enough. But Spielberg wasn’t lazy. He had undiagnosed dyslexia.

Like many children with dyslexia, he dreaded going to school. The teasing and embarrassment were daily realities. Yet he says he never saw himself as a victim. What carried him through those early years was his imagination—and a camera.

While his classmates focused on sports or academics, Spielberg spent hours creating home movies with his father’s 8mm camera. It was there, behind the lens, that he found joy and confidence. While reading words on a page was difficult, stories and characters came alive in his mind.

Spielberg wasn’t officially diagnosed with dyslexia until adulthood, but he has often wondered how different his school years might have been if someone had recognized it sooner. He has said, “I wish I had somebody in my life then to do an intervention and get me through those rough years.” Still, he believes dyslexia fueled his creativity and strengthened his resilience.

Steven Spielberg’s story is a reminder that intelligence isn’t measured by reading speed. Success comes in many forms, and sometimes the challenges we face help shape our strengths.

Famous People with Dyslexia →

A Thanksgiving Note

Keep It Visual and Predictable
Create a simple family calendar and review it together each day. Students with dyslexia often struggle with time awareness, so having a clear visual plan—especially one that’s color-coded for each family member’s activities can make it easier to understand at a glance.

Plan Ahead and Break Tasks Down
Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s or cleaning out a closet, talk through the steps in advance. A whiteboard schedule, paired with a timer or gentle reminders, can help your child stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Schedule Fun Activities
Be sure to build in time to relax and connect. Watch a holiday movie, read together, or play a game. Follow your child’s lead—whether it’s baking cookies, building with Legos, fishing, or painting. Nurture their passions.
Plan Learning Adventures
Winter break is a great time to explore new places and experiences that expand vocabulary and background knowledge—both of which support reading comprehension and writing. Visit museums, libraries, zoos, parks, or nature centers.
Stay flexible
Plans may shift. That’s okay. Pause, breathe, and adjust as needed. Above all else, enjoy your time together.

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