Dyfference Makers Fills Resource Gap For Families Facing Dyslexia Challenges

Laken and Kent Gooch lead the nonprofit organization Discover the Dyfference, Inc., which aims to help children with dyslexia.

As Executive Director, Laken Gooch oversees the organization’s mission, while Kent Gooch serves as Chief Operations Officer. Together, they founded Dyfference Makers Academy in 2021, inspired by their son's struggles with dyslexia and a desire to expand access to reading resources.

Dyslexia, as defined by the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, is an unexpected difficulty in reading, often tied to challenges in phonological processing, which affects skills like reading, spelling, and sometimes learning a second language.

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Dyfference Makers offers online tutoring based on “The Science of Reading,” which advocates that while all students are capable of learning, effective teaching strategies are essential. The academy’s online format allows struggling readers, with or without a formal diagnosis, to access lessons from anywhere.

The Gooches were motivated by their experience navigating the diagnosis and support process for their son, Stapleton.

Diagnosed with dyslexia, Stapleton initially faced academic and emotional challenges, including a five-month wait for evaluation. Through an evidence-based curriculum grounded in the Orton-Gillingham Approach, he began receiving structured, multisensory instruction tailored to his needs.

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Families with children who have undiagnosed dyslexia often encounter significant obstacles, from academic struggles to impacts on mental health. Without proper support, these students face challenges in nearly every subject as they transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

They may also be unfairly labeled as inattentive or lazy, which can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety.

For many, the journey to securing support is long and difficult, involving costly diagnoses and limited insurance coverage.

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Dyfference Makers provides a starting point for families in need, helping parents find intervention resources and navigate the complexities of dyslexia support. The organization’s mission extends beyond tutoring, aiming to advocate for increased awareness and better accommodations for dyslexic students.

While the Gooches hope for a future where all students receive appropriate reading instruction in schools, they remain committed to bridging the gap until then.

Dyfference Makers is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and rely on donations to fund scholarships and teacher training.

To learn more or sign up, visit DyfferenceMakers.com. Or check out their social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.