About Me

Hello, my name is Alena Houghton. I am the owner of Southern Oregon EmpowerED, an educational therapy and consulting private practice based in Grants Pass, Oregon. I work with struggling K-12 students with learning differences. These learners may have diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD and executive issues, dyscalculia (math disability), dyslexia, dysgraphia, and/or processing disorders. My goal is to unlock my students’ potentials by tapping into their strengths and creating individualized learning plans that suit them best.

I have been in the field of education for 11 years and first found my passion for teaching while working as a science educator at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. Wanting to build more meaningful, long-lasting relationships with my students, I went on to receive my Masters in Teaching in Science Education at Boston University.

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Teaching science in the public schools quickly alerted me to the reality that many of my students, those with learning differences, rarely had the tools they needed to be successful. I switched course and earned my special education endorsement. After working in public school special education for 4 years, I became a certified member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET). I strongly value the solely 1-on-1 instruction I am able to provide in this work. I seek professional development opportunities through organizations including AET, the International Dyslexia Association, CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) among others.

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I know first hand how having a diagnosis can negatively impact your life. Sometimes our difficulties are all that we can see about ourselves. But I believe that a learning difference or diagnosis does not define the student, it is something they have. Understanding the meaning and building self-awareness is the first step towards empowerment. Please read more about my approach and services here.

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When I am not working as an educational therapist, I love spending time with my family, husband Eric and son Walden, and friends. I enjoy swimming in the ocean, hiking, playing flute, cooking, and dancing.

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