Wonderfully Wired

"If the research shows that Working Memory is a better indicator of academic success than IQ, then why aren't we honing in on this skill in education?" This compelling question is posed by Dr. Erica Warren, our guest on this month's Wonderfully Wired podcast. For quite some time, we've understood that IQ isn't the sole predictor of a child's academic success. Children can exhibit areas of extraordinary IQ yet struggle academically. What if enhancing the Executive Functioning skill of working memory is the most practical way to improve academic performance? Dr. Warren certainly thinks so.

For years, my guest Caroline Maguire wondered why nobody in the industry was serving Wonderfully Wired kids by explicitly teaching them social skills. As a Wonderfully Wired person herself, Caroline thought it was "bonkers," that nobody was acknowledging how hard it was for these kids and teaching them the skills they were lacking. Wonderfully Wired kids often struggle to understand social rules: They may feel like they’ve broken rules they didn’t know existed. Feedback they receive can seem unexpected and confusing. Caroline emphasises that in her 20 years of experience, all the children she taught were more worried about belonging and being understood than their academic performance. She believes that developing the underlying executive functioning skills is key to helping kids live the fulfilling lives they aspire to.

This month we are featuring the incredible insights of Dr. Liz Angoff from ExplainingBrains.com. Dr. Liz's approach to assessments is transformative, focusing on celebrating the strengths of a child's brain, recognising challenges, and using a child's language to understand the uniqueness of their brain. This process is inherently more collaborative and respectful, involving feedback to the child and the family that is empowering and celebratory of neurodiversity right from the very start.

In this episode, we dive into the world of AI-powered active listening tools and their potential to support individuals with dyslexia. Our guest, Nick Koshnick, a dyslexic physicist and data scientist, joins us to share his insights and experiences. Key Topics Discussed AI-powered Writing Tools: We explore how AI can assist dyslexic individuals in writing and communicating more effectively, emphasizing tools like Vnote.ai that convert spoken input into written text. Unique Strengths and Adaptability: Nick discusses his journey, emphasizing the significance of recognizing unique brain strengths and weaknesses. He advocates for adaptability and leveraging individual strengths in creative problem-solving. Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship: Embracing neurodiversity is crucial in entrepreneurship. We highlight the resilience and hard work that dyslexic individuals often exhibit, which can lead to significant strengths in reasoning and interconnectedness. Clarity in Communication: The importance of clear communication, especially in leadership roles, is underscored. We discuss the effectiveness of interactive tools and writing prompts in enhancing writing abilities. Voice Writing Tools: Benefits of using AI in voice writing are discussed, including improved clarity, accuracy, and efficiency in document creation. AI's Role in Education: AI's potential in education, particularly for dyslexic students, is explored. Nick emphasizes the value of AI in generating ideas and facilitating a more personalized and creative approach to writing. Tune in to get inspired by Nick's journey and learn about the future possibilities of AI in supporting neurodiverse individuals.