Academic Language Therapy instruction is explicit, structured, systematic and cumulative. Dyslexia therapy lessons contain the 5 components (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension) of effective reading instruction supported by the National Reading Panel, and mandated by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
You can expect a dyslexia therapy lesson to include these elements:
The History of Language (Etymology)
Understanding the origin of the English language and how it influences reading and spelling rules provide a framework for understanding the layers of the English language. Students learn high utility affixes, Latin roots, and Greek combining forms.
Alphabet
Identification of the letters of the alphabet is an important early literacy skill since it is the foundation for developing all reading, writing and spelling skills.
Phonemic Awareness
Being aware that individual sounds blend together to make words is a critical skill to be mastered. Students learn all 44 phonemes, 96 graphemes-phoneme correspondences, and 87 affixes. A deficit in phonemic awareness is an indicator that students will most likely experience difficulty in learning to read.
Phonics
Students learn the most reliable patterns used to decode words. Lessons begin with the most common, high utility letters and move to more complex combinations. Etymology is applied to word analysis strategies.
Vocabulary
Students are taught morphology, word relationships, idioms, syntax, and semantics.
Automaticity and Fluency
Fluency practice begins with students reading at the most basic word level, then moves to phrases and sentences, and continues to more complex structures. It is critical that instant words (sight words) are practiced, as they constitute the most common words encountered in English.
Comprehension
The ultimate goal of reading is comprehension. Narrative and expository text are used to teach critical skills such as grammar, vocabulary, story structure, reasoning, critical thinking, inferencing, summarizing and listening.
Spelling
Students learn how letter patterns are attached to the meaning and how it influences spelling choice. Proper procedures for application are taught and practiced.
Handwriting
Cursive handwriting is the cornerstone for reinforcing a multisensory approach to learning to read, write, and spell. Emphasis is placed on learning approach strokes, proportion (size), directionality, and proper grip.
Verbal and Written Expression
Students are engaged in lessons that begin with the development of receptive and expressive language skills and progress to written expression, which includes formal composition.
Study Skills, Organization and Learning Strategies
Students are taught the critical learning, organizing, and study strategies to enhance success at school and home.
THEY SAY
The complete transformation that we have seen since our son started working with Mrs. Chapman has led to our decision to have him continue working with her for as long as possible. Mrs. Chapman has a very warm, approachable way about her, and makes our son feel at ease. She has always been professional and kind to us, answered all our questions. Mrs. Chapman is also very open to meeting with teachers and principals to help them understand what she does, and why dyslexic students need accommodations. K.P. and B.P.
STEP BY STEP: GETTING STARTED
Interested in Academic Language Therapy? This is how you get started.
STEP 1: CONTACT US
Fill in the contact form below and submit.
STEP 2: MEET AND GREET
You will be contacted to arrange a day and time for you and your child to meet with me.
STEP 3: ENROLLMENT APPLICATION
Once your child is accepted as a student, you will receive communication with instructions to fill out an enrollment form.
STEP 4: SCHEDULE YOUR LESSON
After your enrollment form is received, the days and times of your lessons will be scheduled.
STEP 5: ASSESSMENTS AND BEGIN LESSONS
Before academic language therapy instruction begins, baseline assessments will be administered to develop an individualized instructional plan.
CONTACT TARA
Please provide some additional information and Tara will contact you within 2 business days.