Reading Therapy

CSLOT’s reading therapy program uses a combination of computer-based home therapy, in-person multi-sensory reading instruction, and speech and language therapy to target the neurobiological roots of reading disorders.

Reading disabilities, including dyslexia, are common, affecting 10-15% of the population. Because our world uses the written word to impart education and knowledge, a child with a reading disability often experiences global academic delays and low self-esteem.

CSLOT’s reading therapy program uses a combination of computer-based home therapy, in-person multi-sensory reading instruction, and speech and language therapy to target the neurobiological roots of dyslexia and other reading disorders. By repeated practice, our program takes advantage of the brain’s inherent plasticity, especially in the auditory processing system.

Areas Addressed by Reading Therapy

Dyslexia: Difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.

Reading Disability: Challenges with phonological processing, processing speech, and comprehension of written language.

Phonological Awareness: Problems with the awareness of and the manipulating of small units of language, such as word parts and syllables.

Phases of Reading Therapy Services

A personalized therapy program is created for each client based on the results of a comprehensive literacy assessment. The following therapy methodologies are used in part or as a whole, either sequentially or concurrently, depending on the need of each client.

Fast ForWord®

Fast ForWord®, from Scientific Learning, Inc., is a computer-based program that takes your child through a series of age-appropriate, highly motivating computer games, which build the skills necessary for learning to read. Playing the games at home for 8-12 weeks, supported by weekly parent consultations with CSLOT’s Fast ForWord® specialist, your child will learn to discriminate speech sounds, a foundational skill for learning to read.

Fast ForWord Language v2

The Language series develops listening accuracy, phonological awareness, and language structures and moves elementary students who are reading below grade level toward grade level reading skills.

Fast ForWord Language to Reading v2

The Language to Reading series emphasizes the link between spoken and written language to guide young students to become proficient grade level readers.

Multi-Sensory Language Education and the Slingerland Method

Studies show that children with dyslexia need a multi-sensory approach to reading. Multi-sensory education incorporates three learning pathways: auditory (hearing), kinesthetic (touching or movement), and visual (seeing). The Slingerland method systematically appeals to all of these senses to address reading and writing.

Speech, Language, and Phonemic Awareness Training

A speech-language pathologist will support your child’s auditory processing by teaching your child how to play with sounds in words, manipulating and changing them. Additionally, speech therapy will help your child produce speech sounds correctly.

Reading Assistant™

Also from Scientific Learning Inc., Reading Assistant™ uses speech recognition software to provide real-time corrective feedback as your child reads out loud. This program “listens” to your child read and supports fluency by providing visual cues. This is a program for use at home once your child has reached minimum reading fluency levels.

Ages for Reading Therapy

Our reading program is available for children starting at age 3.5 years old and adolescents through age 18.

How Therapy Works

First, an evaluation determines the client’s reading level and indicate areas of need. Following the evaluation, our literacy specialist meets with the client (depending on age) and/or parents to discuss the results of the evaluation. Together, a customized plan is created to meet the needs of each individual.

Once a plan is established, the therapy process can take many forms. Depending on the needs of the client, some aspects of therapy take place at home using computer-based technology such as Fast ForWord® and Reading Assistant™ while other aspects of therapy happen in our clinic with our literacy specialist and/or a speech-language pathologist.

How Long Will it Take?

Our reading therapy program requires a minimum commitment of three months. During this time, you are likely to see large gains in your child’s reading skills. However, it may take up to 2 1/2 years to get your child up to age and grade level.