29/08/2026
This morning I woke to the sad news that Ron Davis, the founder of the Davis Methods ( named after him), and the work I am fortunate to do, had died. It felt as though a light had gone out in the world. But the truth is, that his name will live on. We facilitators will carry his light forward. Ron's gift to the world was a paradigm shift in changing the way dyslexia, and neurodivergence is seen; not as disability or disadvantage. But as difference...and indeed, he identifed the strengths, perceptual talents and gifts that are the flip side of the learning challenges. These gifts are to be celebrated, nurtured and potential released. When I first got a copy of his newly published book The Gift of Dyslexia in 1996, I was blown away. I'd never heard of dyslexia described like that. His reframing was so refreshingly positive and made so much sense. As I read - and later listened to the audio book, the pieces began to fall into place. I used his methods from the book in my teaching, shared it with other teachers, academics and lecturers at a university, and in my work as the Reading and Writing teacher in a jail. And now as a Davis facilitator, I am blessed to have been able to pass his innerstanding and pioneering work onto the children, teens and adults I have worked witih over the past 14 years. I am now even more determined to continue sharing his life's work into the world, wherever there is need. The millions of people who have already been touched by Ron's work will only increase and his name will live on.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Ronald D. Davis, founder of the Davis Method and creator of the programs that have changed how the world understands dyslexia, autism, and neurodivergent learning.
Ron grew up in a world he experienced as chaotic and painful. He didn't speak until he was 17. He couldn't read until his late 30s. And when he finally found his own way through it, he spent the rest of his life building a path for others to follow.
Ron believed that what he had created was not his to keep. It belonged to every facilitator who carried it forward, and every person whose life it changed. As he put it: "It cannot be unowned. If it's unowned, it will disappear." He entrusted that work to all of us, and the worldwide Davis community will continue to carry it forward.
Thank you, Ron, for everything you gave the world; for the millions of people who now see their own minds differently because of you; for seeing ability and possibility where others saw only limitations.
We'd love our community to share a memory of Ron, a photo, or the way his work has touched your life. Comment below, or tag us in your posts. We're gathering these to celebrate everything he gave the world.
Rest well, Ron. Your gift lives on in all of us. 💜🩵🤍
