Oregon's First Home for Children with Dyslexia.
Since 1960, Language Skills Therapy has connected Oregon families with highly trained
Orton-Gillingham tutors — one child at a time.
Oregon's oldest nonprofit dyslexia tutoring network.
Founded before dyslexia was recognized in Oregon schools.
Dorothy Blosser Whitehead
Language Skills Therapy was founded in 1960 by Dorothy Blosser Whitehead — a pioneer in dyslexia education at a time when little was understood about why bright children struggled to read.
Dorothy brought the Orton-Gillingham approach to Oregon and began tutoring children directly, training others, and building what would become the state's first and oldest dyslexia tutoring network.
In 1991, she received the Samuel T. Orton Award — the highest honor in the field of dyslexia education.
Her work shaped not only this organization, but dyslexia education across Oregon for decades to come.
A legacy that changed how children learn to read
Dorothy Blosser Whitehead was a pioneer in dyslexia education in Oregon at a time when little was understood about why bright children struggled to read.
She recognized early on that these students needed a different approach — one that was structured, explicit, and grounded in the science of language.
Dorothy brought Orton-Gillingham instruction to Oregon and began working directly with children and families.
She helped them understand that reading struggles were not a reflection of intelligence, but of how the brain processes language.
Dorothy Blosser Whitehead founded Language Skills Therapy, creating a model of individualized, research-based instruction.
That model continues to guide our work today.
Her work went on to shape dyslexia education, teacher training, and advocacy across Oregon for decades to come.
Her Legacy Today
Dorothy Blosser Whitehead’s work continues through the organizations she helped shape.
Language Skills Therapy remains grounded in her original vision — providing thoughtful, individualized, Orton-Gillingham instruction tailored to each child’s needs.
Language Skills Therapy
Her leadership also helped establish the Oregon Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, expanding awareness, education, and advocacy for individuals with dyslexia across the state.
IDA - Oregon
Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to the principles Dorothy championed:
that every child can learn to read with the right instruction,
and that effective support must be both evidence-based and deeply human.
A Deeper Look at Dorothy’s Story
From one student to a movement that transformed dyslexia education in Oregon and beyond.
Why Families Come to Us
Families often find us after months — or years — of watching their child struggle. Many have already tried other approaches that didn't work. Some are just receiving a diagnosis and don't know where to turn.
They come to us because they need someone who truly understands dyslexia — and knows exactly who can help.
What they find is a 60-year-old nonprofit with a careful, personal matching process and a network of independently certified specialists who have chosen this work as their life's calling.