Frequently Asked Questions
Getting help for learning difficulties is never easy, that’s why we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions below:
FAQs
1 / How can I tell if my preschooler or kindergartner will struggle with reading?
The strongest indicator is weakness with phonemic awareness, the ability to recognize and order individual sounds within words. Many schools and districts now administer tests that can measure phonemic awareness and accurately predict reading struggles.
In spoken language, listen for omissions (cap for camp), insertions (drive/dive) and transpositions (aminal/animal). In beginning spelling, check to see if the sounds are consistently in the correct order. Spelling cat as kat is better than spelling it as cut or tak.
2 / When should I get help if my child is struggling?
As soon as possible! Research, and my own experience, shows the longer you wait the steeper the challenge to bring a struggling student up to “grade level” performance. This is partially because past habits have to be changed and partially because of decreasing confidence as school reading and writing demands ramp up.
4 / Should I depend on my child’s school to help?
Yes…but not solely. Despite educators’ best intentions -- and an IEP – the school might not provide the most effective type of instruction for your child. If you’re reading this, you’ve already begun getting informed. Keep it up!
5 / Where else can I get help?
You can have your child evaluated by a neuropsychologist or other professional trained to assess learning development. He or she will administer a series of tests to pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses and recommend specific steps to take. These recommendations often include private tutoring.
6 / How much does private tutoring cost?
Starts at $100 per hour.
7 / What should I look for in a tutor or reading teacher?
Ensure they have been trained in an Orton-Gillingham based program. Ask about their experience, and style. Are parents encouraged to sit on tutoring sessions? Will they get support to help their kids at home?
8 / Where can I find appropriate reading tutors?
Your state branch of the International Dyslexia Association is a good place to start. It should include a list of tutors in your area who use Orton-Gillingham programs. If your child has been formally evaluated, the evaluator will provide a list of tutor/support help.
Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, Inc., is a worldwide leader in dyslexia remediation and has offices in many major cities. The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators website also has links to qualified tutors.