City/Town: Wilmington, NC

When did you join the Decoding Dyslexia North Carolina (DDNC) Board? August 2022

Why did you decide to join the DDNC Board? So many wonderful people helped and continue to help my son along his journey with Dyslexia, and I wanted to try to pay it forward by helping others along their way.

Who inspired you to learn more about dyslexia? My beautiful son and all the other kids with Dyslexia I have met along the way.

What is the best piece of advice you have received on your dyslexia journey? Not all kids learn the same way. If a child is not understanding something, you must change the way you teach them as many times as is necessary until you get it right. Being patient, kind, and honoring a child’s needs can build strong connections that are important for learning.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give others? Get help early. The signs of Dyslexia can be very evident in Pre-k and Kindergarten. Speech therapists, occupational therapists, and reading tutors can all help in these early years. Getting evaluated early is the best thing you can do if you feel like something is not right. Trust you instincts.

What are some of your favorite dyslexia resources? There are so many! Wrightslaw, Duke Law-A Parents’ Guide to Special Education in NC, Bookshare, Project based learning ideas, NC Assistive Technology Program, and Learning Without Tears programs.  Steve Chinn, Marilyn Zecher, and Woodin Math are wonderful resources for difficulties with math (Dyscalculia).
Some wonderful books include Overcoming Dyslexia, The Dyslexic Advantage, and Fish in a Tree.