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Seeing Words: How Visual Thinking Unlocks Literacy w/ Olive Hickmott EP 203

What if reading finally clicked the moment a child learned to see words, not just sound them out?

In this episode, we sit down with forensic health and learning coach Olive Hickmott to explore how visual thinking can transform literacy for dyslexic and ADHD learners—and why this simple shift has the power to change an entire school’s culture.

Olive shares the observation that sparked her work: fluent spellers tend to look up and visualise words, while struggling spellers often look down into emotion. From that insight grew a practical, inclusive approach grounded in the brain’s visual word form area—the place where how a word looks, sounds, and means come together.

Together, we unpack why English is a highly visual language, especially with homophones and rule-breakers, and how pairing images with whole words can accelerate reading, spelling, and even handwriting. Olive is clear: this approach complements phonics rather than replaces it, offering realistic, step-by-step strategies parents and teachers can use right away—eyes-up cues, meaning-anchored word cards, and classroom scripts that fit into busy school days.

We also discuss ADHD, mental imagery overload, the creative strengths of neurodiverse thinkers, and how early years settings can gently “load” words before stress and self-doubt set in. Olive shares success stories from schools across Ireland and Wales, emerging research, and a blueprint for whole-school pilots.

This is a powerful reframe—from “What’s wrong with the child?” to “What else can we teach?” Expect practical tools, honest reflections, and a hopeful vision of learners lighting up as they realise they can do what once felt impossible.

If you care about literacy, inclusion, and giving every child a fair shot, this episode is for you.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, rate, and share the show with a teacher or parent who needs this. Your review helps more listeners discover practical ways to help children thrive.

Website: www.empoweringlearning.co.uk (including all books)
Learning Platform: www.visualkids.co.uk
3 books about learning differences, the latest is
The Elephants in the Classroom, Neurodiversity through the lens of mental imagery.
Blog: www.olivehickmott.co.uk

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I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu