Recipient of the 2026 NDSC Education Award
More Than a Curriculum
Raising Robust Readers® is more than a curriculum; it is a movement that has helped reshape literacy expectations for individuals with Down syndrome by opening the door to authentic literacy, greater independence, and lifelong learning.
20+ Years Advancing Literacy Instruction for Learners with Down Syndrome
A Vision for Independent Readers
Founded by Judy O’Halloran and Marilee Senior, Raising Robust Readers® has spent more than 20 years helping families, educators, therapists, and organizations teach reading through explicit, systematic phonics instruction designed specifically for learners with Down syndrome.
Our goal is authentic literacy—
the ability to decode unfamiliar words, read independently, think critically, and participate more fully in school, work, and everyday life.
The Success is in the Sequence
Raising Robust Readers® has long challenged traditional assumptions about how phonics should be taught. As such, RRR believes learners with Down syndrome do not fail phonics — the conventional phonics approach too often fails them. With that belief and decades of insight, the developers created a unique instructional sequence designed specifically for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Phonogram-Based
Approach to Reading
At the core of Raising Robust Readers® is phonogram-based teaching grounded in explicit, systematic literacy practices and Orton-Gillingham principles. Students are taught the English reading code through phonograms, blending, syllable patterns, spelling, and decoding strategies that build true independent reading skills.
Building Five Essential
Components of Reading
Independent reading is not just about decoding words; it is about understanding the message conveyed through print. For that reason, Raising Robust Readers® incorporates all five pillars of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Our Approach is Grounded in:
Explicit, systematic phonics instruction
Science of Reading principles
Multi-sensory learning
Unique sequence of instruction.
Meaningful repetition with authentic application
High expectations paired with individualized support
Our Impact
Thousands of Families & Educators Supported.
Collaborations with Down syndrome organizations
Proud Partner of GiGi's Playhouse Literacy Programs
Featured on Literacy and Science of Reading Podcasts
Presented at National & Regional Conferences
Co-Authored Award-Winning Literacy Books
Growing Online Community Supporting Explicit Phonics Instruction
Families using Raising Robust Readers® have witnessed learners decode unfamiliar words, gain confidence, and achieve literacy milestones once thought unattainable. These moments continue to reinforce what we have believed from the beginning: when learners are provided with systematic instructions, meaningful support, and high expectations, authentic reading and lifelong learning becomes possible.
