September 1, 2026
BURLINGAME, CA – Ronald Dell Davis, whose extraordinary journey from profound autism and dyslexia, to becoming the creator of the Davis Methods, passed away at home on August 28, 2026, at the age of 84 after a brief illness.
Ron Davis was never supposed to accomplish much. As a child, he was considered profoundly disabled, labeled a “Kanner’s Baby,” an early term for autism. Non-speaking, he struggled to make sense of the world around him. His mother was told that he might never speak, learn, or achieve much beyond what a chimpanzee could.
But there was far more going on inside Ron than anyone could see.
At 17, a teacher saw something others had missed and arranged for him to take an IQ test. He scored 137. He became an engineer during the era of the Space Race and later found success as a sculptor. His extraordinary ability to visualize and manipulate objects in his mind, brought him success in these fields. Reading, however, remained impossible.
One day, in 1980, while trying to answer a letter inquiring about his sculpting skill, Ron realized that his mind could enter a state in which language disappeared and imagery took over. He began exploring this phenomenon and how it related to his inability to read.
This exploration led to Davis’ most profound discovery: the root cause of dyslexia was not brain damage, but a perceptual talent that produced a state of mental disorientation. When Ron discovered how to intentionally “turn off” his disorientations, he found he could read without effort.
In 1982, Ron, together with his wife, Alice Davis, and Dr. Fatima Ali, established the Reading Research Council to further investigate what he had discovered. This research led to the development of the Davis Mastery for Dyslexia Program, and ultimately, to the other Davis approaches for ADHD, Dyscalculia and Autism.
His landmark book, The Gift of Dyslexia, published in 1994, became an international bestseller, selling over one million copies and has been translated into more than 20 languages. He later authored The Gift of Learning and his autobiography, Dummy, and co-authored Autism and the Seeds of Change with Abigail Marshall.
In 1995, Ron and Alice founded Davis Dyslexia Association International to train facilitators in his methods and ensure that his work could reach people far beyond his own practice. What began with Ron’s pioneering ideas grew into an international community of licensed facilitators serving individuals and families in more than 40 countries and 30 languages.
Ron’s work in autism was especially close to his heart. The Davis Autism Approach grew from his unique understanding of autism and his belief that people on the spectrum should be supported through approaches that recognize their strengths, build understanding, and help them participate fully in the lives they choose. His work has touched thousands of individuals with autism and their families around the world.
Yet perhaps the most enduring part of Ron’s legacy cannot be measured in books, programs or numbers. He changed the story people told themselves about who they were and what they were capable of achieving.
The child who had been told he could not learn grew into a man who devoted his life to helping others discover that they could. Ron Davis leaves behind a legacy carried forward by the people whose lives were touched by his work and by those who continue to share his vision.
About Davis International
Davis International continues the work begun by Ronald Dell Davis, supporting the Davis Methods and the international community of licensed Davis facilitators who work with individuals with dyslexia, autism, and related learning differences.