From the Desk of Josh Clark 

Originally published in The Lantern

It was my seventh year as a leader of a school for students with dyslexia, my fifteenth year in education, and my thirty-sixth year as a dyslexic learner. I had given dozens of presentations around the globe about the challenges and opportunities associated with learning differently. I had engaged in hundreds of conversations with parents about their child’s recent diagnosis, using data, research, and my own experiences to assure them that though their path may diverge from others, their children would thrive.

All of this, and when the psychologist shared with my wife and I what we already knew— that our oldest child had dyslexia—I balled. I cried because I knew what was before him. I cried because the story I had written for him would change. I cried because of my own school scars. I cried because he was me. I cried because it was my fault.

When I talk with my children (my youngest child was diagnosed a few years later) about having dyslexia and (one of them) ADHD, I remind them that they have inherited my gifts. And there will be times in life when they come asking for the receipt. There will be periods when my gifts do not seem to fit and feel less like a present and more like a weight. Especially during their school-age years, they may want to exchange my contributions for the status quo. During these times, I remind them that this is perhaps the most challenging but also best part of my gifts. Having to work harder and differently than their peers may feel like an injustice now but with the right support (and privileges), attitude, and effort, it can pay dividends in the game of life.

While sometimes my own dyslexia does not feel like a gift, I do think that I live a life full of gifts because of it.

I am a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, technology consultant, eldertech advocate, mother of four wonderful young adults and the founder of Innovative Speech Therapy. My passion is to do all that I can to help families, educators, caregivers, and therapists address a wide variety of communication, cognitive, literacy, and learning challenges. Over my years as a speech therapist, I’ve worked to fine-tune my uniquely effective approach to therapy and professional development. I believe in empowering individuals, families, and professionals through affordable, cutting-edge technologies that many of us already have in our homes, schools and workplace.

Over the past 35+ years, I developed systems, techniques, and strategies to help others speed toward their communication, cognitive, and learning goals. To do this, I combine the use of the latest assistive technology features, online tools, engaging speech and language therapy apps, evidence-based speech therapy techniques, inclusive family-centered communication training, and multiple means of support. In addition to providing customized individual sessions, I enjoy speaking at conferences and creating webinars, courses, and online tutorials about using engaging and motivating resources to enhance communication and learning.

I believe that education should never end, and so I am constantly on the lookout for new, innovative ways to help my clients. I received the “Most Outstanding Contribution to the Field” award from the Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as well as the “Technovator Award” from MATN (Maryland Assistive Technology Network) sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University School of Education for Technology in Education and the Maryland State Department of Education.