What program or approach do you use?
We use the Orton Gillingham approach, the foundation of programs like Wilson and Barton. It’s systematic, sequential, cumulative but flexible. Our step-by-step instruction is tailored to meet the needs of each student. We communicate progress regularly and conduct assessments every six months to document growth.
What does a tutoring lesson include?
All tutoring lessons are tailored for each individual and are based on the initial assessments. Material learned in past lessons is reviewed and new concepts are introduced in a step-by-step format. The individual must read and write words with at least 80% accuracy before introducing new material. This ensures that the pace is not too fast for each individual. We meet with each student for one hour, two or more times a week. Meeting less than that does not give the student enough repetition to be successful.Tutoring lessons include the following:
- Handwriting
- Drill cards
- Spelling sounds
- Reading words
- Spelling words
- Dictation – writing phrases and sentences dictated to individual
- High frequency word review
- Introducing a new sound, spelling rule or syllable division
- Oral reading – putting it all together
Where are you located?
Our office is located in North West Denver, but we work with students remotely from all over the country. Before Covid, we mostly served the Denver, Wheatridge, Westminster, Arvada and Golden areas.
Do you conduct learning evaluations?
We do not conduct formal learning evaluations. Instead we specialize in the treatment of dyslexia. If you would like to have your child evaluated for dyslexia or other learning disability, we can connect you with several highly recommended clinical psychologists in the Denver Metro area that specialize in this area.
Do you work with adults?
Yes, this is a growing area of our practice. Many adults do not realize that they have dyslexia until college or until they have children of their own and watch them experience the same problems with reading, writing and spelling that they had. It is not too late! We use assessments to determine what areas need to be strengthened and use the same multi sensory and diagnostic approach that has helped so many kids. Invest in yourself.
Will vision therapy help my dyslexic child?
I’ve found that the best answer comes from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Eye M.D. Association.Although the eyes are obviously necessary for vision, the brain performs the complex function of interpreting visual images. Currently no scientific evidence supports the view that correction of subtle visual defects can alter the brain’s processing of visual stimuli.Eye defects, subtle or severe, do not cause the patient to experience reversal of letters, words, or numbers. No scientific evidence supports claims that the academic abilities of children with learning disabilities can be improved with treatments that are based on visual therapy or Neurolological organizational training.These more controversial methods of treatment may give parents and teachers a false sense of security that a child’s reading difficulties are being addressed, which may delay proper instruction or remediation