Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Pinchback.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first became interested in becoming a Certified Academic Language Therapist while I was working as a Resource Teacher at Matthews Elementary in Austin ISD. During my clinical training, I spent two years working with my own students both diagnosed and undiagnosed with dyslexia, and I was amazed by the transformation I saw in those children. For many of them, it was the first time they truly experienced success in reading, and I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to that work.
After having children, I left public education and opened a small private dyslexia therapy practice in Dripping Springs and serviced students for several years. As I worked with families, I quickly realized how much of a burden traditional therapy could be. Many parents were driving 30 to 45 minutes each way, waiting during sessions, and then repeating that process multiple times per week. I was also very aware that many families simply didn’t have access to qualified dyslexia therapists because of where they lived.
Around that time, I began wondering whether dyslexia therapy could be delivered effectively in a virtual format. This was in early 2019 prior to COVID. I spent months researching, experimenting, and refining different approaches before asking my current clients if they would be willing to try virtual sessions. To my surprise, the results were incredibly positive. Not only were students making progress, but families loved the convenience.
When COVID shut the world down, I was fortunate that I had already developed a successful virtual model and was able to continue serving all of my students without interruption. As demand grew, I began hiring additional therapists to join me by March 2020.
Today, more than six years later, Dyslexia On Demand has grown to a team of over 100 Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) serving students across the United States and internationally. We are incredibly proud of the reputation we have built for providing student-focused, high-quality, evidence-based dyslexia therapy with strong fidelity to multisensory, structured literacy principles. Most importantly, we have helped make expert dyslexia intervention accessible to families regardless of where they live.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges along the way has actually been managing growth. For many years, Dyslexia On Demand experienced tremendous growth, which meant we were constantly playing catch-up when it came to building systems, policies, and procedures. What works for a small private practice often doesn’t work for a much larger organization, so we found ourselves continually learning, adapting, and rebuilding processes as we grew.
It has often felt like we finally get everything organized and running smoothly, only to experience another significant wave of growth that requires us to reevaluate and scale everything again. In many ways, I think that is the story of countless small business owners. Growth is exciting, but it also creates new challenges that you couldn’t have anticipated when you first started.
We have always tried to make decisions based on what is best for the students and families we serve, even when those decisions aren’t necessarily the easiest or most profitable from a business perspective. Maintaining high standards, ensuring fidelity to our therapeutic practices, and prioritizing student outcomes requires a tremendous amount of commitment and discipline.
That commitment has become our North Star. While it can sometimes make growth more complicated, I believe it is also one of the primary reasons for our success. Families trust us because they know we will always prioritize what is best for their child, and that philosophy guides every decision we make. While the journey has certainly had its challenges, I wouldn’t change it because those challenges have helped shape the company we are today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dyslexia On Demand is a virtual dyslexia therapy company that provides one-on-one, evidence-based intervention for students with dyslexia and related reading difficulties. We serve students across the United States and internationally, ranging from early elementary students to adults, though the majority of our clients are school-aged. We also pride ourselves on providing families, educators, and the public with free, expert-led dyslexia education throughout the year. Through webinars, social media content, blogs, podcasts, and long-form YouTube videos, we work to make high-quality dyslexia information accessible to everyone.
We believe parents should be empowered with more than just an understanding of dyslexia. They should also understand evidence-based instructional practices, available intervention options, and the educational rights and supports afforded to students through IDEA and other federal protections. An informed parent is better equipped to advocate for their child and make confident decisions for their family.
What sets us apart is that we are a company of Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs), run by CALTs. Every decision we make is rooted in best practices for dyslexia intervention, not business trends or educational fads. We specialize in multisensory structured literacy intervention, including programs such as Take Flight, and are deeply committed to delivering therapy with fidelity while still individualizing instruction to meet the unique needs of each student.
We are also passionate about supporting the whole child. Dyslexia impacts far more than reading skills. It affects confidence, self-esteem, and how a child sees themselves as a learner. Because of that, we place a strong emphasis on the social-emotional aspects of dyslexia, parent education, and advocacy. Our goal is not only to help students become stronger readers, but also to help them understand their dyslexia, advocate for themselves, and recognize their strengths.
Perhaps what I am most proud of is the reputation we have built. Families trust us with their children, and that trust is something we never take for granted. Over the years, we have grown largely through word-of-mouth referrals from parents, educators, psychologists, educational advocates, attorneys, speech-language pathologists, and fellow dyslexia professionals. To me, that speaks volumes about the quality of our work and the relationships we have built.
I would want readers to know that effective dyslexia intervention should not depend on where a family lives. For many years, access to qualified dyslexia therapists was limited to a handful of metropolitan areas. Our mission has been to remove that barrier and make high-quality dyslexia therapy accessible to students regardless of geography. We believe every child deserves access to expert intervention, and we are proud to help make that possible every day.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I believe one of the most important qualities of any professional is a commitment to continuous learning. No matter how much experience you have, your education is never truly complete. In the dyslexia field, much of my professional growth comes from attending conferences, participating in continuing education opportunities, and learning from other experts in the field. Research continues to evolve, and it is important that we evolve with it.
From a business perspective, one of the most impactful tools we have implemented is Zoho. As our company has grown, having systems that help us manage operations, communication, and workflows efficiently has been invaluable.
I wouldn’t say there is a single book, podcast, or app that has completely changed my life, but I am constantly learning through social media, YouTube, webinars, and professional communities. Because a large part of my work involves educating parents and professionals, I also spend a lot of time exploring new content creation and video editing tools. Those platforms seem to evolve almost monthly, and it’s amazing to see what is possible today compared to even a few years ago.
Like many business owners, I have also embraced AI tools to help organize information, analyze data, improve efficiency, and streamline workflows. Another tool our team loves is Dext, which has made managing receipts, documentation, and accounting processes significantly easier.
Ultimately, I think the most valuable resource is maintaining a mindset of curiosity. Whether it’s learning about dyslexia intervention, business operations, technology, or leadership, there is always something new to learn, and that ongoing growth has played a significant role in both my personal and professional success.
Pricing:
- 79.95 per hour of 1:1 therapy
- 39.95 per hour small group therapy
- $650 dyslexia determination testing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dyslexiaondemand.com
- Instagram: @dyslexia_on_demand
- Facebook: @dyslexia on Demand
- Youtube: @dyslexiaondemand2199
- Other: TikTok @dyslexiadiva
