What Is North Star Learning Access? How I Support Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Function Challenges Online

If you’ve landed here, there’s a good chance you (or your child) are putting in effort and still running into walls with reading, writing, planning, or follow-through. You might be wondering what kind of help actually exists—and whether working with someone online can really make a difference.

This post is a simple overview of what North Star Learning Access is, who I work with, and what our sessions can look like.

Who I work with

I work with learners of all ages who are putting in effort, but still bumping into barriers that school, work, or everyday strategies don’t fully support.

That includes:

• Late elementary students who are avoiding reading or dread writing

• Middle and high school students who are smart but overwhelmed by homework and deadlines

• Post-secondary students juggling heavy reading, essays, and executive function demands

• Adults navigating work, further learning, or life transitions with dyslexia, ADHD, or long-standing learning challenges

Some people come in with formal diagnoses. Others come in with a strong sense that “something is going on” even if it’s never been named. You don’t need a diagnosis to work with me.

What I help with

Most of my work centres on three overlapping areas:

Dyslexia & persistent reading/spelling challenges

• Decoding and spelling

• Word patterns and morphology

• Fluency, accuracy, and confidence

Executive function and ADHD-related challenges

• Planning, organization, and time management

• Getting started and following through

• Breaking big tasks into steps that feel possible

Blended support when both are present

• Combining structured literacy work with EF coaching

• Linking skills to real assignments, exams, or work tasks

If reading, writing, or managing workload has felt like an ongoing uphill climb, we look at why—not just how hard you’re trying.

How sessions work (in practice)

All sessions are 1:1 and online via Zoom. That allows us to:

• Work from wherever you feel most comfortable

• Pull in real materials—assignments, emails, slides, or reports

• Build systems that live where you already spend your time (agendas, devices, calendars, binders)

A session might include:

For dyslexia / structured literacy

• Short, focused work on decoding, spelling, or patterns using Orton–Gillingham–informed methods

• Practice that is step-by-step and cumulative, not random worksheets

For executive function / ADHD coaching

• Taking one real task (an essay, lab, project, or work task)

• Breaking it into steps, choosing a starting point, and building supports outside your head (checklists, timelines, reminder systems)

For integrated support

• A mix of both: perhaps reading instruction for part of the session, and then planning out the week or working through an assignment together

We check in regularly about what’s working, what isn’t, and adjust the plan so it stays useful—rather than adding more pressure.

My lens and lived experience

I’m a learning specialist, executive function coach, and Orton–Gillingham tutor based in Vancouver, BC. I’ve spent over 15 years working one-to-one with neurodivergent learners in specialized school and outreach settings.

I’m also dyslexic and have ADHD myself.

I know what it’s like to be capable and still feel blocked by systems, expectations, and “simple” tasks that don’t feel simple at all. That’s why I take a low-shame, neurodiversity-affirming approach that respects energy, nervous systems, and real life—not an idealized version of it.

My focus is on access: making it easier to actually participate in school, work, and daily life in ways that fit how your brain works.

Is this the right kind of support for you?

North Star Learning Access might be a good fit if:

• You (or your child) are trying, but school or work still feels heavier than it seems for others

• Reading, writing, or spelling are ongoing stress points, even with extra practice

• Planning, organization, and follow-through are constant challenges, especially as demands increase

• You want support that is practical, respects your limits, and doesn’t treat your brain as a problem to fix

I’m not the right fit for:

• Crisis or mental health therapy

• Formal assessments or diagnoses

• Decisions about medication or medical treatment

In those cases, I can sometimes help you think through what other supports might be useful, but I don’t try to replace them.

How to get started

If you’re curious about working together, the first step is to reach out.

You can:

• Use the Contact page on this site to share a bit about your situation, or

• Email me directly at northstarlearningaccess@gmail.com with who you are, what’s going on, and a few times that might work (including your time zone)

From there, we’ll:

• Clarify your goals and the main areas you’d like support with

• Talk through whether dyslexia-focused work, executive function coaching, or integrated support makes the most sense

• Decide together whether this is a good fit and what the next steps would be

If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t have to untangle it alone. North Star Learning Access is here to make learning feel calmer, clearer, and better supported in real life.

Ready to reach out? Click below to get in touch.

Email Me

Prefer a form? You can use the Contact page here.