ADHD. Auditory Processing Disorder. Dyslexia. Dyscalculia. Dysgraphia. Language Processing Disorder. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities. The list of learning disabilities seems endless. And if you are reading this, chances are that you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with a learning disability.
Hope.
Matthew (not his real name) was just 7 years-old when his parents contacted me. Diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities, Matthew’s parents feared their son would never learn to read. After several years of consistent work with Matthew, he achieved a level of success that was considered unachievable, even going on to attend college.
Paul (not his real name) was a third grader had lost hope for academic success. Using the various techniques I taught him, Paul did learn to read. In fact, Paul was so inspired by his own success that he decided he wanted to help others overcome their learning disabilities. Ultimately, he earned a Masters degree in Education and now teaches students with disabilities himself.
No one had been able to help 8-year old Derrick (not his real name). Like Matthew and Paul, some thought he would never be able to read or write well. After evaluating him and developing a customized plan for Derrick, he was able to master the skills I taught him to thoroughly overcome his learning disabilities. Today, he is a successful attorney.
15-year old Carter (not his real name) struggled with comprehension. He had difficulty decoding (i.e. sounding out words), but his greatest challenge was understanding what he just read. After several months of regular sessions, Carter now understands what he reads and has already improved an entire grade level.
My story.
After graduating from the University of Delaware at the top of my class, I worked as a school teacher in the public school system for ten years. While there, I became certified as a Reading Specialist in a language and literacy methodology based on Orton-Gillingham principles. I went on to earn a Masters Degree in Language and Literacy. As a public school teacher, I worked with special education students and earned a reputation for having success with students that nobody else seemed able to help.
In 1997, I resigned from teaching in the public school system when I adopted my oldest son from Romania. It was not long before I realized that the beautiful child I adopted had some significant learning disabilities. On the autism spectrum, he was also diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia, among others). In addition, he also had vision problems including nystagmus (shaking of the eye) that made it difficult for his eyes to focus, and other health problems.
I resolved myself to finding solutions that would help my son overcome his learning disabilities. I researched teaching techniques, curricula, and even supplements. I attended numerous conferences, spoke with experts in various fields, and experimented through trial and error to learn what worked well and what worked even better.
The techniques, curricula, and dietary changes made a huge difference in my son’s life. Though he still has autism, he is able to read at a ninth grade level, print, write in cursive, and do basic math. For a child who was given little to no hope of learning to read, he has come a long way.
A few years after adopting, I became pregnant with my second child. In all, I now have four children. The techniques that I used with my oldest son also work with those who don’t suffer from learning disabilities. My second son graduated from college at age 17 and is on target to graduate with his Masters Degree in Business by age 21. My other two children now attend a classical high school online where each maintains a 4.0 GPA. While I’m proud of their success, I mention it only to emphasize that the techniques I use really do work. I’ve seen it work in the lives of my own children as well as my clients.
Will it work for every child?
Obviously, there are some circumstances (e.g. brain damage, severe mental retardation, etc.) that may make reading at any level an impossibility. However, to date, I’ve been able to teach every child I’ve worked with to read.
The Process.
Evaluation.
Before we can measure progress, a baseline must be established. Once I understand your child’s skill level (in reading, math, etc.), I will contact you to schedule a time to discuss my findings and make a recommendation.
Recommendation.
At this meeting, I will suggest a specific course of action for your child. If you are in agreement with my recommendations, the next step is implementation.
Implementation.
Once you have had the opportunity to consider the recommended course of action, we will implement the plan. Periodically, I will conduct a new evaluation to measure your child’s progress.
I Can Help.
Children who struggle with reading often become depressed, are targets of bullying, and suffer with low self-worth. They often feel like a failure and their perception may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, I’ve observed the faces of precious children light up when they “get it.”
Perhaps your child has mild learning disabilities. Perhaps they are major. I’ve helped severely challenged individuals overcome their learning disabilities and helped transform “good” students to “great.” If you know someone who has lost hope of learning to read, I encourage you to contact me today for a free evaluation.
Reading Made Easy 