About Desi Bissell

As a parent, watching your child struggle—especially when you know they are capable—is heartbreaking. I searched for ways to help him, and in the process, I took a job at a reading center, hoping to learn strategies that could make a difference. He made progress, but I noticed that every step forward took enormous effort, and if we missed even a little practice, he would slip backward. It was a constant battle that left me wondering: Why was reading so difficult for him when he was so capable in other areas?

That question led me to The Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis. Reading that book was a revelation. It not only explained my son’s struggles but also my own. As I looked back on my own school years, I realized that my challenges with reading comprehension and retention weren’t because I wasn’t trying hard enough—I was dyslexic, too.

I knew then that I had to learn more, and I trained as a Davis Dyslexia Facilitator. When I guided my son through the program, everything changed. In just one week, he went from reading at a third-grade level to reading confidently at his actual sixth-grade level. More than that, I saw his confidence return. The Davis approach wasn’t just about reading—it was about understanding how his mind worked and using strategies that made sense for him.

That experience shaped everything I do today. Since 2019, I’ve been working with children and adults in Red Deer and Central Alberta, helping them discover their own unique ways of learning. Every person I work with reminds me that dyslexia is not a limitation—it is a gift.

I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle with traditional teaching methods, to feel frustrated and unable to reach your potential without understanding why. I also know what it’s like to watch a child experience that same struggle. As a parent raising three children with varying degrees of dyslexia and ADHD, and as someone who has worked with neurodiverse learners for over eight years, I deeply believe that learning should never be a one-size-fits-all process.

The greatest joy in my work is connecting with my clients, helping them recognize their strengths, and showing them that they are capable of so much more than they ever thought possible.

If you or your child has been struggling with learning challenges, you are not alone. There is a way forward, and I would love to help you discover it. Reach out today to learn more about how we can work together.