Empowering Dyslexic Minds:
Mental Health, Learning, and Growth
Welcome!
Welcome to Coloring Confidence, a non-profit organization where we take a whole-child approach to dyslexia!
Created by dyslexic minds from Princeton University, for dyslexics, we deeply understand the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that accompany dyslexia because we have faced them ourselves.
Our personal experience fuels our dedication to offering holistic, affordable resources that address every aspect of dyslexic challenges, with a strong focus on supporting mental health. Through art integration, meditation, and mindfulness, we provide tools to help elementary schoolers with dyslexia manage anxiety, boost self-esteem, and build emotional resilience.
Here, your child is championed, valued, and supported in every aspect of their journey with dyslexia.
At Coloring Confidence, our mission is to transform the lives of children with dyslexia by providing resources that address the emotional, mental health, and academic challenges they face. Through education, art, and mindfulness, we help them build resilience and unlock their full potential.
Our Mission
Discover our innovative offerings designed to support the mental health and academic outcomes of elementary schoolers with dyslexia while providing valuable education for parents and teachers.
Our Offerings
-
Activities and Resources
-
3rd-5th Grade Educational Curriculum
-
Erasing the Stigma Series
Understand Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference that affects how the brain processes language. Often running in families, dyslexia affects approximately 20% of the world’s population. The condition is commonly characterized by difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, and learning a second language.
Children with dyslexia are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and behavioral challenges.
When these challenges go unaddressed, they can escalate, leading to withdrawal, higher rates of school dropout, and lifelong emotional and social difficulties. Left unchecked, these challenges may also contribute to negative behavioral patterns, including a greater likelihood of delinquency and lower levels of empathy, creating a cycle that affects every aspect of life.
We’re here to help break this cycle.
Free Educational Activities
Explore our free art-based educational activities aligned with U.S. educational standards. These projects use art and creativity to make education engaging and accessible for elementary schoolers with dyslexia!
Our Team
Julia de Montagnac
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Julia de Montagnac, a proud dyslexic and current student at Princeton University, is deeply committed to destigmatizing this learning difference and empowering others to recognize its strengths. Through her personal journey, she has overcome many challenges associated with dyslexia and embraced the unique abilities it brings. Julia ensures that Coloring Confidence’s projects are grounded in the latest research, providing high-quality, evidence-based support for children with dyslexia. Julia successfully implemented these projects in elementary school districts in New Jersey, working directly with students with dyslexia through the art-integrated curriculum.
Dr. Pali Payne-Storey PsyD, LCSW, MS
Meditation Program Director
Dr. Pali Payne-Storey is a dedicated psychologist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and Delaware, and a certified meditation instructor. She holds an undergraduate degree from Howard University, a graduate degree from Columbia University, and a doctorate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. As someone with dyslexia, Dr. Payne-Storey brings a unique perspective and deep passion to her work. Her personal experiences navigating a neurotypical world fuel her dedication to fostering supportive and empowering environments that help children with dyslexia thrive.
Robyn Spodek-Schindler LPC, LPAT
Meditation Program Director
Robyn Spodek-Schindler is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Art Therapist, Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist, and Nationally Certified Counselor. Robyn has spent over a decade working with children, adolescents, and young adults in various settings, including schools, counseling programs, and hospitals, specializing in treating anxiety and depression. Her extensive clinical experience has earned her several national awards, including multiple Best Kids Docs nominations and the 2024 Community Champion of Arts Education award.
Isabella Thomas
Art Integration Specialist
Isabella Thomas brings a blend of creativity, research experience, and academic excellence to the team. With a passion for fostering confidence and inclusivity in the classroom, Isabella has developed innovative art integration projects. Isabella has a robust research background, including roles at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Brain Stimulation Lab and the Rutgers University Waksman Student Scholars Program, where she contributed to multiple publications in molecular biology. A recipient of numerous academic honors, Isabella is committed to leveraging her skills and experiences to empower students with dyslexia.
Shop the Confidence Club
Discover our fun and uplifting sweatshirts that celebrate the brilliance of dyslexia and spread positivity. Each purchase makes you part of a passionate community dedicated to redefining what it means to be dyslexic. Join the club and make a difference with every item you choose!