Disability Labs Podcast Network

Welcome to the Disability Labs Podcast Network (DLPN) — a collaborative audio hub where educators, therapists, curriculum designers, and purpose-driven creators come together to amplify the voices of students who learn differently.

Founded by Cheri Dotterer, occupational therapist and host of The Writing Glitch, Tier 1 Interventions, and The Purpose-Filled Teacher, LDPN is a one-of-a-kind space uniting podcasts dedicated to the science, stories, and strategies behind learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and more.

Whether you're a parent seeking hope, a teacher searching for effective tools, or a clinician committed to making a difference, LDPN offers expert interviews, hands-on interventions, and personal breakthroughs that go beyond labels. We don’t just talk about learning struggles—we provide real, neuroscience-based solutions that ignite potential and reimagine possibility.

Through our network of independently hosted shows, we foster collaboration, spark innovation, and empower leaders in the field of learning support. LDPN is also home to a new generation of teacherpreneurs and educators called to create impact while staying rooted in purpose.

Want to launch your own podcast within the LDPN family? We're looking for mission-aligned creators to join us. If your podcast explores learning differences and inclusive education, there’s a seat at our table.

Shows

All Shows →

The Writing Glitch: Hack Dysgraphia No Pencil Required

The Writing Glitch is brought to you by Dotterer Educational Consulting. Our Founder and Owner, Cheri Dotterer, is the host. Build courage, compassion, and collaboration to help students thrive and grow leaders that transcend a lifetime, regardless of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, using sensory-motor processing and neuroscience-based instructional interventions. No Pencil Required! We interview teachers, therapists, and parents about how they have seen a transformation in children having these disabilities and co-morbid conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They share how they help students grow and prosper. We believe we can grow 110 million leaders together by building skills, applying knowledge, and transcending futures. Join us to hack dysgraphia. No Pencil Required. Each episode contains one intervention to help you support students with writing challenges the next day you are in your classroom. These interventions are explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory. They are designed to support ALL students through targeted, daily visual-perceptual, visual-motor, and memory interventions. These interventions benefit all students and harm none. All students have access to writing regardless of their status in the classroom. The interventions were created to take up to 30 seconds to 2 minutes of your classroom time. Strategic lesson planning increases classroom engagement. All interventions can be adapted for students with physical disabilities because they support the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and well-being of all students. In addition, these interventions impact all subject matter classrooms. Whether you are teaching English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music, or art, these interventions will benefit your classroom atmosphere across ALL grade levels. You have put your blood, sweat, and tears into investing in your education and children. Don’t let a misunderstanding about this disability stop you from providing best practices. In case you don’t know me. I’m Cheri Dotterer, 2022 Dysgraphia Expert of the Year. This honor was bestowed on me by Global Health and Pharma Magazine. In 2023, they awarded my company the Best Dysgraphia Professional Development Program. It took challenges at home and on the job to wake me up to the impact dysgraphia has on all students. Struggling my entire life with communication issues, I was mistaken that only students with learning disabilities could have dysgraphia. My thoughts shifted when my gifted daughter asked for help with spelling. My son struggles with handwriting. Then, a parent asked me why her child could read and have trouble writing. Finding answers became the drive that gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s a big shock when you discover how pervasive writing difficulties are and how little people know about how to help–even OTs. I used to think I was the only OT who struggled with understanding dysgraphia. It turns out many have questions. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists are not trained to teach. Teachers are. Occupational, speech, and physical therapists are trained in neuroscience. Teachers are not. Let this podcast be your first line of defense to help your students transcend their learning disabilities. Show your school district how much you genuinely care about all of your students by sharing it with your colleagues. After each episode, I challenge you to share your key takeaway from the podcast in our FREE yet private community. Share your student wins. Get support on the challenges. Join The Writing Glitch Community. https://thewritingglitch.com/ Connect with Cheri at www.cheridotterer.com or info@thewritingglitch.com

View Website

Podcast Shorts from the Disability Labs Podcast Network

The Disability Labs Podcast Network is brought to you by Dotterer Educational Consulting, a Therapy Services, LLC, and Minds on Math, LLC. We focus on dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Enclosed are excerpts from the shows on our network. Current shows include: The Writing Glitch and Tier 1 Interventions We also share sample Hear Me Teach segments. A complete package of these segments is included at Tier 1 Interventions Workshops. 👉 Join our free masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and occupational therapists: https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register

View Website

Tier 1 Interventions

Math intervention, writing intervention, neurobiology, and cognitive-based learning - Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer are sharing how to incorporate them into your classroom. Jonily is a secondary math teacher and instructional coach for math K-12. Cheri is an occupational therapist specializing in neurology-based treatment across the lifespan and a Strategy-based Interventionist. Jonily secretly calls Cheri her Lesson Plan Whisperer because Cheri is always in her head, reminding her of the foundations of development before academics begin. They met in 2018 and have been talking ever since. Together, they have discovered the Miracle Math Classroom. This classroom embeds all math standards from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, plus neuro-based interventions that improve proficiency and boost student engagement. Both gifted and learning support students thrive using the interventions they share, plus all students in between. Using cognitive enhancing techniques strategically placed in the lesson plan, students learn more and enjoy school more, and fewer students get removed from critical instruction for Tier Three Interventions. Jonily has discovered how to teach all Kindergarten through algebra math standards using twelve, that’s right, twelve Reference Tasks. They include the Pizza Problem, 120-Chart, Paper Folding, Making Rectangles, Quick Dots, Locker Problem, Jesse and Kay, Geoboard, Candy Problem, Paint Problem, Staircase, and the Function Machine. Cheri uses Body-Brain Anchors to ignite the flame inside everyone’s brain for learning. Whether a person is five or 90, her strategy-based interventions will ignite that flame. These Brain-Body Anchors include the Handstand Flip, Interlaced Bilateral Integration, and the Body Sentence Alphabet. Together, they connect the puzzle behind math instruction and instructional delivery alongside these cognitive-enhancing activities to maximize math education for all students. Join us live on the third Saturday of the month, sans July, for the math behind the Reference Task. Every live event is approximately 2.5 contact hours. The first 30-ish minutes become this podcast. To hear the entire training, join our membership program. Please note: we will not record on holiday weekends. Join our mailing list for updates on dates. To join us live, register at Tier1interventions.com. The 2.5-hour sessions include the PowerPoint slides, additional audio files of Jonily teaching the Reference Task, resources from Cheri, and much more. A subscription to these 2.5-hour Workshops is $97/month or $947/year. Membership includes: *Approximately 27.5 hours of direct training per year *Audio files of Jonily's Hear Me Teach segments - complete *PowerPoint Slides to grab and use in your Magic Math Classroom *Resources from Jonily and Cheri for you and your students *A copy of Math DYSconnected when released. Or, you can listen to the first segment on your favorite podcast app for free; no membership is required. No matter how you listen, you will come away with golden nuggets that will transform your classroom. Reach out to Jonily: jonily@mindsonmath.com Reach out to Cheri: info@cheridotterer.com Tier1Interventions.com

View Website

Latest Episodes

#13 of

Tier 1 Interventions

Why students Zone Out constantly

Students aren’t zoning out because they’re bored — they’re zoning out because their brains literally can’t do what we’re asking them to do.In this episode, Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR, and math leader Jonily break down the neuroscience behind attention, dopamine, novelty, and why every classroom hits the same predictable “zoning-out moment.”You’ll learn:Why students can only focus for their age in minutesThe 7-second dopamine cycle that sabotages attentionWhy novelty (singing, movement, humor) instantly resets the brainWhy music activates learning before visual or auditory channelsWhy rectangles are the single most powerful structure in mathHow interleaving and iteration outperform linear teachingHow skip-counting by 12s rewires numerical fluencyWhy U.S. math scores suffer — and how to fix it tomorrowIf you’ve ever asked, “Why do my students suddenly check out?” — this episode is the answer. Drop your favorite math jingles in the comments.👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register⏱️ Chapters00:00 — Welcome to Tier One Interventions00:22 — Why focus equals age in minutes01:05 — The 7-second dopamine attention loop01:40 — Students WANT to focus but their brains can’t02:10 — Novelty triggers that instantly reset attention03:25 — Why music activates learning before anything else03:54 — Math jingles that rewire memory04:28 — Why skip-counting by 12s accelerates mastery05:08 — Rectangles: the most powerful structure in math05:45 — Whisper counting + dot arrays for deep understanding06:30 — The “loud number” mistake and why it’s productive07:30 — Iteration vs. repetition: the real difference08:18 — Interleaving: the brain’s preferred learning method09:05 — Jumping from 2 twelves to 12 twelves (nonlinear learning)10:05 — Why U.S. math scores are failing11:30 — The winning formula: structure + novelty + repetition12:05 — Wrap-up and $47 workshop invitation🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

#12 of

Tier 1 Interventions

WHY Your Math Curriculum Isn’t Working

If you’ve ever wondered why your students still don’t “get” math—even with all the new textbooks, intervention programs, small groups, apps, and training—this episode will change everything.In today’s conversation, Cheri and Jonily pull back the curtain on the brutal truth:👉 The problem isn’t your students. The problem isn’t you. The problem is the system.Math scores across the U.S. have crashed to historic lows. Tier 2 and Tier 3 groups are overflowing. Teachers are exhausted. Kids are frustrated. And the curriculum you were handed is not built to fix any of it.Inside this episode, you’ll learn:🔸 The REAL reason your math curriculum keeps failing 🔸 Why “teaching harder” never moves the needle 🔸 How mental load, attention spans, and dopamine shape learning 🔸 Why rhythm, novelty, and movement unlock mathematical thinking 🔸 How lockers, rectangles, and pizzas explain EVERYTHING about math success 🔸 The shocking data from real classrooms (54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more) 🔸 Why 3rd graders can learn so much more than we think 🔸 What schools must change NOW to reverse the declineThis isn’t another “curriculum review.” This is the root cause of the math crisis in America—and the brain-based pathway out of it.If you’ve ever sat in your classroom thinking, “Why aren’t they getting it? What am I missing?” …this episode will finally give you the answer.👉 Want to experience the full workshop? You can sign up to experience one workshop for just $47. The link is here.https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/mastery-math-method-dec2025/register⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Tier One Interventions Podcast00:28 – Why today’s session starts at a higher math level01:00 – Why Tier 1—not Tier 3—is the real issue02:00 – The rising crisis of U.S. math scores03:10 – Why kids “don’t get math” (and it’s not aptitude)04:05 – Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 are overloaded05:00 – What Tier One Interventions actually solve06:20 – Evidence from real classrooms: 54% → 84%, 27% → 60%, and more07:45 – Second graders eliminating all “red/yellow” scores in 6 weeks09:15 – Why this workshop series matters10:05 – Connecting Mastery Math Method to today’s episode11:00 – Lockers, Rectangles, Pizzas… and why it works11:30 – Using music and rhythm to re-trigger attention12:20 – The neuroscience of rhythm-based learning13:00 – Crossing midline, movement, rhythm, and subconscious learning14:10 – How 14-year-olds signal when their brains need novelty15:00 – Lighting, environmental shifts, and novelty triggers16:00 – The attention-span research that guides your timing16:55 – Episode wrap-up + teaser for next week17:10 – CTA: Experience one workshop for $47🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

#11 of

Tier 1 Interventions

Stop Teaching the Textbook

What if your students begged to keep doing math? In this Level 2 session of the Mastery Math Method, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic show you how to break free from the textbook and make math feel like a game again.You’ll see how:A simple Locker Problem can teach double-digit multiplicationReference tasks connect creativity to fourth-grade standardsInterleaving and spaced practice help every student retain what they learnAnd why giving yourself permission to ditch the worksheet changes everything🎓 Join the next Mastery Math Method Masterclass → disabilitylabs.com/calendar✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training. 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome – Level 2 Mastery Math Method00:40 From Locker Problem to Double-Digit Multiplication01:35 Why Reference Tasks Change Everything03:10 Skip-Counting → Multiplying → Connecting Standards04:20 Interleaving and Spaced Practice in Real Classrooms06:05 Teacher Reactions – Level Up Mindset07:10 Students Love Thinking Math08:15 From Overwhelmed to Empowered09:00 How to Join the Mastery Math Masterclass11:00 Closing – For Such a Time as This🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

#10 of

Tier 1 Interventions

You Can't Rush Math Art

Math is messy — and that’s precisely how mastery begins.In this Tier 1 Interventions episode, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic challenge the myth that math (and writing) should be neat, orderly, and always “on the line.” From the Locker Problem to real-world classroom stories, they model how productive chaos and productive struggle help students think critically, notice patterns, and build an accurate understanding of numbers.🧠 Inside this episode: • Why “messy math” is essential for deep learning • How to turn student drafts into tools for reflection • The OT perspective on movement and memory • The three types of bilateral integration and how they re-engage the brain • What “You can’t rush math art” really means for teachers✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training. 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Tier 1 Interventions00:40 – What Makes Mastery Math Different01:15 – Why Math Must Be Messy02:30 – The Type-A Teacher Trap03:45 – Draft-1 Thinking: Messy Before Mastery05:20 – Framing the Chaos: Learning From Mistakes07:00 – What Do You Notice? Pattern Spotting in Action09:30 – The OT’s Secret: Move to Remember11:50 – Three Types of Bilateral Integration Explained13:40 – When Planning Gets in the Way of Learning15:10 – The Locker 11 Revelation17:15 – “If I Say It, They Hear It — If They Say It, They Learn It”19:20 – Turning Observation Into Ownership21:00 – The 12 Song: Rhythm Meets Math Fluency23:40 – “You Can’t Rush Math Art” — Lessons From Toy Story25:30 – When Students Finally See the Pattern26:30 – Wrap-Up: Messy Learning Creates Mastery🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

#9 of

Tier 1 Interventions

Teach Math Like a Play

What if your math lessons felt more like a story than a worksheet? In this episode of Tier 1 Interventions, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic reveal how to teach math like a play — using the power of storytelling to captivate every student.Discover how the Three-Act Math Story (Act 1 Hook • Act 2 Story • Act 3 Offer) transforms problem-solving into curiosity-driven learning. You’ll hear how teachers spark engagement with focus triggers like “Tell me about…” and nonverbal cues such as spirit fingers and jazz hands — all while keeping math meaningful, memorable, and fun.🎭 Because when math class has a plot, every student becomes part of the story.💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training. 📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome to Tier 1 Interventions 00:38 Why Students Stop Thinking 02:06 The Three-Act Math Play 03:56 The Natalie Strategy: Get Every Student Talking 06:25 Leveling the Playing Field 08:05 Every Kid Has an Entry Point 10:18 Teach Like a Champion in Math Class 13:05 Hook • Story • Offer for Teachers 14:56 Spirit Fingers vs Jazz Hands 😂 19:56 Tangents That Teach 21:24 Preview: Double-Digit Multiplication 🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon/Audible🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle 📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1🎙️ Credits: Host: Cheri Dotterer Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network🧠 Resources Mentioned:Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundleMastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.🏷️ Hashtags#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri#MathEducation #TeacherLife #MasteryMath #Dysgraphia #Tier1Interventions #MathCoaching #Storytellinginmath

Hosts

Cheri Dotterer

Host of Tier 1 Interventions

Jonily Zupancic

Host of Tier 1 Interventions