You don't need a diagnosis to begin improving your child's outcomes..
📚DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF DYSLEXIA TO START READING THERAPY? No, although our programs are designed specifically for those with dyslexia, anyone who struggles with reading and has a normal IQ of at least 70 will see great benefits from the program. Odds are that if your child is receiving special help with reading, there is an 80% chance they are at least mildly dyslexic. Dyslexia affects nearly 20% of the general population and that number goes up when you narrow it down to only those receiving help.
📚HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS SHOWING SIGNS OF DYSLEXIA? If a child has 3 or more of the general warning signs, we encourage parents, caregivers and teachers to learn more about dyslexia. We often see few consistent signs such as terrible spelling, slow or inaccurate reading, some letters or numbers are written backwards, trouble memorizing multiplication tables, trouble telling time on a clock with hands, unusual pencil grip and letter formation and difficulty learning to tie shoes.
📚WHAT IF MY CHILD ISN’T READY FOR A STRUCTURED LITERACY PROGRAM? Some students aren’t quite “reading-ready.” For these clients, we start with the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® (LiPS®) program for reading and spelling. The LiPS® program is the most comprehensive in-depth phonemic awareness program available. This is a very different approach to reading and provides the sequential and systematic teaching of how the sounds feel when they are physically made with your mouth.
📚HOW OLD DO YOU NEED TO BE TO START READING THERAPY? Our programs can start as early as five years old, or when the student would start kindergarten.
📚MY STUDENT IS NOT A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER. CAN SHE GO THROUGH YOUR PROGRAM? Yes, as long as the student can speak and comprehend spoken English at the second-grade level or higher.
📚HOW OFTEN ARE SESSIONS AND FOR HOW LONG? Students need constant reinforcement and consistency to remember the rules they are taught. They need regular practice to continue moving forward. We have several options but require at least two 50 minute sessions each week. More frequency can be arranged for those looking for a more intensive approach.
📚WHAT IS AN ORTON-GILLINGHAM PROGRAM & WHY IS IT NECESSARY? Orton Gillingham is a structured language approach that is different in both what is taught (reading and spelling are taught as related subjects) and how it is taught (the methodology). This type of system is essential to teach those displaying warning signs of dyslexia as they do not learn effectively through traditional whole language instruction. We use the multi-sensory, direct, explicit, structured and sequential programs designed for intense intervention.
📚HOW MUCH DOES INTERVENTION COST? We are specialists in reading and spelling & our fees reflect this specialized training. $55 a session.
📚DO YOU TEACH HANDWRITING? Dysgraphia can be a common occurrence with dyslexia. This impacts three key areas: spelling, handwriting and executive functioning when organizing writing. Handwriting can be taught at in person sessions upon request. Cursive is also taught upon request. For a less formal handwriting practice I recommend the Handwriting Heroes app to teach letter formation.
📚WHAT DO I NEED FOR REMOTE THERAPY? For remote reading therapy you’ll need the following in order to have a good speed and connection: At least a 13 intel processor, high speed internet (30Mbps+), a computer that works with zoom, zoom’s free download to the computer from zoom.us, a quiet place to work with no distractions, headphones with a microphone, a small dry erase board.