A concerned mom. A curious kid. A creative approach.

This is the story of how one family’s struggle with dyslexia inspired the journey of a mother on a mission.

Juda is a super smart, creative, curious, compassionate, risk-taking, problem-solving, show-stopping, now 9-year-old little boy. And I get to be his Mom. To me and my husband, Joel - Juda is all these things and more.

He and his equally awesome older brother light up our world, and one day… I believe they will change it!

From the moment Juda’s learning difference was officially identified, I leapt head first into the land of dyslexia. I quickly learned that Orton-Gillingham is regarded as the gold standard in teaching dyslexic learners to read, write and spell. I mined every online resource, scholarly paper, book, article, and essay I could get my hands on. I connected with as many leaders in the dyslexic community as possible, and began building my professional network.

Ultimately, I learned what I already knew about my own son…that dyslexic people are smart, compassionate, beautifully quirky, often creative and worthy beyond measure. Figuring out the right way to remediate was the easy part. What I struggled with was the injustice of the American public school system at large, and the lack of understanding on how to help our dyslexic learners succeed in the classroom. The IEP and 504 meetings, the tiered interventions, the missing of recess to complete unfinished work and the unavailability of truly meaningful support for students and parents…all felt so deflating to me. Imagine how our dyslexic and other special education students feel, trying to navigate within that system. The tide is slowly turning on some of this (largely due to some pretty fierce advocate warrior moms and educators). But systemic change is slow. And Juda (along with so many other kids) couldn't wait.

After battling to get my son services in the public school system, I chose to become trained in Orton-Gillingham and homeschool him for 2 and a half years.  Once I was happy with his reading progress, we made the ultimate decision to send him to a private school that specializes in dyslexia.  By 4th grade, he was ready to spread his wings and fly.  The transition was relatively easy.  He earned all As and Bs his first report card, and all As on his 2nd report card.  Needless to say, he is happy and thriving!

I was struck by how deflated families can become, trying to navigate an almost impenetrable public school system.  I wish I'd had an advocate when I was trying to get my son services.  There was just so much emotion involved.  I was in crisis, trying to protect my son's self-esteem, and if I'm being honest - I was probably a little triggered and stuck in fight or flight myself. 

Trying to quickly get up to speed on Special Education law can be like drinking from a fire hose.  Families are forced to learn all of those IDEA regulations and state statutes, and FAST...all while tip-toeing around relationships with school administrators, trying to understand the complex timeline, manage siblings, maintain a social network, shuttle the kids to and from activities and playdates, look out for their kids' emotional health (let alone our own), often while simultaneously working full-time!  Sound impossible to do on your own?  That's because it nearly is. 

Since advocating for my son, I've found a passion in advocating for friends' children and my own students going through similar struggles. Learn More about my Advocacy Services HERE. 

Despite the wide-ranging challenges thrust upon them, every public school teacher I know cares deeply about their students and does the very best they can within the framework. But dyslexic learners need a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic and prescriptive approach. They require 14-40 (sometimes more) exposures on a concept, where neurotypical learners of similar IQ achieve mastery after far fewer. On top of all of this, many colleges of education are not teaching the science of reading, let alone the right approach to support dyslexic learners. So the deck is often stacked against our beloved educators...and against our promising dyslexic learners.

I completed my Orton-Gillingham Associate-level training under a fellow-level coach at Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), formerly the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). After completing my 60-hour Associate level coursework, I furthered my education with an additional 30 hours of comprehensive OG training through the Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE). And I’ve been fortunate enough to work daily with students like Juda – adapting the OG methodology alongside a language I’ve known and studied for years - the arts.

Though my degree from the University of Central Florida is in Film & Digital Media, I was a dancer and choreographer for a good 20 years of my professional life. I trained in Chicago, and performed in international festivals, concerts and commercial trade shows across the country. I’ve taught all over Florida, working as an Adjunct Professor and guest lecturer at multiple high schools and universities – from Douglas Anderson School for the Arts to Rollins College and the University of Florida. I've witnessed, first-hand, the healing and transformative impact of the arts.

And so began my plight to become the best Orton-Gillingham practitioner I possibly could - often integrating the arts, movement and games into sessions and extension activities. 

I also have a soft spot in my heart for ADHD learners, and adore the challenge of working with these little lambhorgini brains - I've become skilled at negotiating, making agreements, establishing timelines for our work together, holding boundaries, keeping sessions fun & fresh, pivoting on a dime and offering rewards throughout my sessions.  I treasure the opportunity to work with these tenacious trailblazers!

My son was my first student and pro-bono client. 

Now I feel honored to extend the gift of Orton-Gillingham instruction and impassioned Special Education Advocacy beyond my home.

Casey Saxon, Orton-Gillingham Associate-level trained, Non-Attorney Advocate/Member, COPAA, ADHD Champion