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About PLD Literacy
PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) provides Australian educators with an evidence-based approach to Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP). Aligned with the Science of Reading, PLD’s SSP program spans from the junior to upper primary years, supporting a whole-school approach to literacy development.
PLD’s methodology is grounded in the disciplines of speech pathology, occupational therapy, and education. As both an Australian publisher and professional development provider, PLD advocates that children achieve optimal literacy and learning outcomes when their literacy, oral language, and movement & motor skills are targeted together.
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Diana Rigg began her teaching career in 1992, quickly realising that her tertiary education hadn’t fully prepared her to address the complex reading and learning challenges she encountered in the classroom. Driven by a passion for improvement, she pursued postgraduate studies to deepen her understanding and expertise.
During her Master’s in Education, Diana discovered a critical gap: the delay between research breakthroughs and their implementation in schools. This insight sparked her determination to bridge that gap. After completing her fourth degree, she faced a choice: continue with an education-focused PhD or explore another discipline. In 2004, she completed a Master’s in Speech Pathology, equipping her with new tools to support children’s learning.
From its early days, PLD has been a multifaceted organisation—operating as a clinic, consultancy, and publishing house. The clinic not only supported children directly but also played a key role in trialling and refining programs, forming the foundation of PLD’s successful published resources.
In 2011, Diana made a pivotal decision: she closed the clinic and shifted her focus to a wider educational impact. Recognising that thousands of school children couldn’t access individual clinic services, she dedicated her efforts to empowering educators. Today, PLD provides evidence-based programs and techniques developed by a team of Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, bringing cutting-edge research directly into Australian classrooms.
Throughout her career, Diana has collaborated with thousands of schools, championing evidence-based literacy and learning programs. Her pioneering work continues to demonstrate a measurable positive impact on student outcomes nationwide.
Australian Publisher of the Year
PLD offers an extensive collection of nearly 100 evidence-based programs and resources, carefully designed for the Early Years, Foundation, Years 1 & 2, and Years 3 – 6. This commitment to excellence has been recognised by teachers nationwide, with PLD proudly receiving the Australian Primary Publisher of the Year award for four consecutive years.
Decodable Book of the Year
PLD’s Foundation Decodable Reading Book Sets 1-7 (Initial Code) won the Speech Pathology Australia 2025 Book of the Year Award in the Decodables Book Series category.
Judged by a panel of Certified Practising Speech Pathologists, the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards celebrate books that are engaging, interactive, and valuable tools for developing communication and literacy skills. For more information on Speech Pathology Australia’s 2025 Book of the Year Awards, visit https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/bookoftheyear.
Throughout PLD’s journey, founder Diana Rigg has collaborated with thousands of schools, advocating for evidence-based literacy programs in classrooms across Australia. Her pioneering work, including the Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) program, has consistently demonstrated its positive impact on literacy outcomes for students.
Aligned with PLD’s core focus and values, PLD is committed to making a meaningful difference and improving literacy outcomes for students, not only in Australia but also in communities abroad. PLD’s collaboration with Hear Hear for Bhutan has been life-changing, and our partnership with the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre ensures that regional schools can enjoy the same engaging performances as their metro counterparts. We hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspire us.
Founded in 2007 as a Literacy and Learning clinic, PLD has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of educators and students. Its capacity to adapt and innovate has been the driving force behind the organisation’s growth and its current structure. Discover the journey in more detail below.
Literacy
“The capacity to read and spell accurately and fluently is dependent on knowledge of the phoneme-grapheme relationships underpinning English orthography. The body of knowledge (phonics) needs to be taught systematically, sequentially, cumulatively, and daily – to the point of automaticity.” (DSF Bulletin, Volume 58:2022).
Oral Language
Oral language encompasses the essential abilities of speaking and listening. The fundamental building blocks of oral language proficiency include word knowledge (vocabulary), sentence structure (grammar), language comprehension (semantic understanding and overall comprehension), and structured thinking (the ability to elaborate, organise, and sequence thoughts).
While limited oral language skills may not immediately affect early reading, their long-term impact can be significant. As students progress through middle primary years, curriculum demands and reading complexity increase, and children with underdeveloped language skills may struggle to keep pace academically.
Movement & Motor
Students’ physical coordination and motor responses play a crucial role in literacy development. Many classroom tasks – such as following directions, writing, or cutting – require precise motor control. Skills like proper pencil grip, fine motor refinement, letter formation, and handwriting fluency all contribute to effective learning and academic success.
Why All Three Matter
True literacy extends beyond the ability to recognise words on a page. Skilled readers and writers must also be able to speak clearly, comprehend spoken language, and translate these skills into written form. PLD’s resources are unique in their integrated focus on literacy, oral language, and movement & motor skills, ensuring that students develop a strong, well-rounded foundation for lifelong learning.
