Dyslexia Coaching Call With Alison

If you’ve ever wondered how coaching could help with dyslexia, you’re in the right place. A while back, I sat down with Alison for a rare one-on-one session that really hit home, and I’m revisiting that conversation now because it was packed with insights.

In this episode, I dive into the practical side of coaching for dyslexia. Sadly, I don’t have the capacity to coach one-on-one at the moment, but I still want to share the golden nuggets from Alison’s session. She gave me permission to publish our chat, so think of it as having a front row seat to how life-changing dyslexia coaching can be.

The Value of Dyslexia Coaching

Dyslexia brings so many challenges that aren’t always obvious from the outside. It’s not just about reading or writing struggles. Sometimes it’s about feeling constantly overwhelmed, juggling mental lists, or trying fifty different apps to keep life organised.

During the session, Alison and I looked at her daily routines and discovered small tweaks that freed up her mental bandwidth. Coaching can help highlight the areas where dyslexia tangles you up, while also offering encouragement to celebrate the unique thinking patterns that come with it.

What We Covered in Alison’s Session

Even though our session happened about a year or two ago—where does time go—it stands out in my memory. We covered a few main topics: how Alison’s dyslexia shows up day to day, what coping mechanisms she’d already tried, and ways to fine-tune her self-talk.

• We discussed quick wins to make day-to-day tasks easier.
• We explored mindset shifts that transform how you see dyslexia.
• We identified patterns that were silently draining her energy.

Not every tip will apply to everyone, but hearing another person’s story can inspire new ideas for your own toolkit. A big part of the session was simply validating that her experiences were authentic and not signs of failure.

Common Struggles with Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a unique experience, yet some patterns pop up again and again. Alison felt stuck whenever tasks got too long or complicated. You might recognise that feeling, when you open a project and your brain whirs for a second then says, “Nope.”

Another hurdle was re-reading the same sections over and over, which led to wasted time and creeping self-doubt. It also made her question her abilities, especially when deadlines were tight.

We can’t forget the emotional side of dyslexia. It’s easy to let negative self-talk pile up, so we focused on dismantling that story in real time.

Key Insight: Shifting Your Perspective

One of the biggest breakthroughs in that session was helping Alison shift from self-criticism to curiosity. She realised she wasn’t “lazy” or “stupid.” Her brain was simply wired differently.

“Once I accepted my dyslexia and stopped fighting against it, everything started to feel lighter.” — Alison

That moment stuck with me. It’s powerful when we stop trying to operate like everyone else and instead lean into our natural style. Often, it’s the pressure we put on ourselves that does the most harm, not the dyslexia itself.

Practical Ways to Lighten the Load

Practical tips might not solve everything, but they do create margin for the bigger stuff. Here are a few ideas we touched on during the coaching session:

• Use voice notes or video recordings to capture thoughts, keeping you from getting stuck on spelling or grammar.
• Organise your schedule in short chunks to avoid that “wall of text” feeling. Consider doing just 15 minutes of reading or admin, then stack mini breaks.
• Experiment with colours and fonts that make reading easier. Some find pastel backgrounds or specific font types less tiring.
• Celebrate small wins. Tick boxes on a list, or even say out loud, “I did it,” before moving to the next task.

It’s hard to remember everything we covered, but these little shifts can unlock a lot of mental clarity. When you decrease the effort spent on everyday tasks, you free up more energy for your goals.

Takeaways from the Conversation

• Coaching can offer personal insights that generic dyslexia advice often misses.
• Accepting your brain’s style reduces the pressure and frustration dyslexia can cause.
• Small changes in how you approach tasks can lead to big improvements over time.
• Your experiences are valid, and you have every right to ask for help.

If you’re hungry for more details about how Alison navigated these hurdles, be sure to check out the full episode. The player is right at the top of this page. You’ll hear our casual chat and get a behind-the-scenes look at how a coaching session unfolds.

It’s amazing what a bit of conversation and targeted advice can do. While I can’t currently offer private coaching sessions, I hope listening in on Alison’s and my experience helps you feel seen. Maybe it’ll even spark new ideas for your own toolkit.

Ready to dive in deeper? Go ahead and press play. I promise you’ll find at least one tip that suits your life—and you might come away with a fresh perspective on how to make dyslexia your advantage rather than your stumbling block.