Advocating for dyslexic students – with Sabrina Fandell
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
10/27/25
•35m
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As a dyslexic child, Sabrina Fandell had to sit in her school's book closet for her reading lessons. Now she sits on the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association - Dallas Branch. She is passionate about fostering inclusive environments and advocating for neurodivergent students in school.
During this episode, Sabrina talks about:
- Her experience growing up as a child with dyslexia, and as a parent of children who have dyslexia
- How advancements in technology and teaching methodologies can help students with dyslexia succeed in school
- Why she got involved with the International Dyslexia Association
- The complicated journey to get her son assessed for dyslexia and ADHD
- The fine line she walks as a parent when advocating for her son at IEP meetings
- Resources and advice to help parents support their children with dyslexia
Learn more about the International Dyslexia Association Dallas Branch, their hotline and their scholarship program for dyslexia testing.
Follow the International Dyslexia Association Dallas Branch on Facebook and Instagram.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
Previous Episode
Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia
October 13, 2025
•12m
Ava N. Simmons, also known as Ava The S.T.E.M. Princess®, is a 12-year-old S.T.E.M. Ambassador, Entrepreneur, Toy Designer, Author, and the creator of educational toy brand Team Genius Squad. Diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in 2021, Ava used S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurial activities to help overcome her academic challenges and build her confidence.
To share her learning journey and encourage others, Ava creates engaging S.T.E.M.-based educational videos, authors S.T.E.M. books, conducts peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. activities in the community, and develops S.T.E.M. toys for children ages 5-13, including children who are neurodivergent or in underserved areas. She has conducted thousands of peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. experiments with children in the community, over 700,000 households have viewed her educational videos, she has authored 3 books, and developed 15 branded S.T.E.M. Educational Toys.
Additionally, she is the Host of the PBS Kids Channel Show from PBS North Carolina called Mini Fab Science Lab, and her STEM-STEAM kits are featured in the Scholastic Catalog.
During this episode, you will hear Ava talk about: ● Her experience in school as a student with dyslexia and dysgraphia ● How she got interested in S.T.E.M. at a young age ● How Team Genius Squad helps make S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. more accessible to kids everywhere ● Where she gets ideas for her experiment kits ● The origin of her PBS Kids Channel show, Mini Fab Science Lab
Learn more about Ava:
- Team Genius Squad store
- Mini Fab Science Lab (PBS Kids show)
- Team Genius Squad on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube
- Team Genius Squad in the Scholastic Dollars 2025-2026 Catalog on page 33:
- (M) STEM Genius Lemon Light Experiment Kit with Interactive Experience
- Item No: 794043 Kits and Virtual Session with Ava
- Item No: 793745 4-Pack of Kits Only
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
Next Episode
A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond
November 10, 2025
•43m
Tiffany Hammond is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and disability advocate. She is the author of A Day with No Words, a picture book about a Black mother and son who use a tablet to communicate with each other and the world around them. A Day With No Words successfully normalizes communication methods outside of verbal speech and provides representation of neurodiversity and autism in a way that affirms and celebrates.
Through Tiffany's platform, Fidgets and Fries, she shares stories about autism, identity, and the fullness of Black and disabled family life. She is the proud mother of two autistic sons and uses her lived experiences to shift narratives around autism and communication.
Win a copy of A Day with No Words! For a limited-time, Beyond 6 Seconds is giving away a hardcover copy of "A Day with No Words" to up to 3 listeners in the United States. To enter, check out my pinned Instagram post @beyond6seconds on November 11, 2025. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on November 21, 2025. Up to 3 winners will be selected at random. This giveaway is valid for listeners at US addresses only.
During this episode, you will hear Tiffany talk about:
- How her family's real-life experiences inspired her to write A Day with No Words
- Why she wrote her book from the perspective of a nonspeaking autistic child
- What her nonspeaking autistic son Aidan thinks of the book
- How her book is different from other children's books about autism
- Common misconceptions that people have had about her autistic sons
Learn more Tiffany and her work at FidgetsAndFries.co and ADayWithNoWords.com.
Follow Tiffany on Facebook, Instagram and Substack.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
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