Dyslexia Services
Dyslexia Services
Empowering children with the tools they need to become confident, lifelong learners.
The Laughlin Children’s Center Dyslexia program is made possible through the generous support of the Peirce Family Foundation. Dyslexia is a lifelong condition that affects the way the brain processes information; it can result in difficulty reading, speaking, writing or spelling.
The Dyslexia services at the Laughlin Center offer specialized instruction based on the needs of children with dyslexia. Laughlin Children’s Center uses only certified dyslexia practitioners and interventionists who also have PA Department of Education teaching certificates and classroom experience.
What weaknesses could a child with dyslexia have?
- Recognizing letters, matching letters to sounds, blending sounds into speech
- Pronouncing or using the right words (pacific instead of specific)
- Learning the alphabet, numbers, and new vocabulary words
- Decoding and fluency
- Mastering the rules of spelling
- Handwriting or gripping a pencil
- Reversing letters (d, b) or moving letters around (left, felt)
- Following a sequence of directions
- Word problems in math
- Rhyming
**Adapted from www.interdys.org
Dyslexia is NOT a disease, a visual problem, a developmental lag, or lack of effort. For some children with dyslexia, traditional reading instruction is not enough, and students often need additional support tailored to their specific learning needs.
As many as 15–20% of the population have some of the symptoms of dyslexia. Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People with dyslexia can be very bright. In addition, dyslexia is genetic in origin and can be inherited; parents with dyslexia are very likely to have children with dyslexia.
How can I start getting dyslexia services for my child?
- Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation – Schedule an evaluation with the Laughlin Children’s Center. In some cases, the Laughlin Children’s Center can accept evaluations from other sources such as your child’s school district or another institution. Information from this evaluation is used to determine whether or not a child has dyslexia or is at risk for dyslexia.
- Step 2: Parent/Evaluator Meeting – The evaluator shares the results of the evaluation with the parents and makes the determination of whether or not dyslexia is the proper diagnosis.
- Step 3: Tutor Match – The child is matched with one of the Laughlin Children’s Center’s certified dyslexia practitioner/interventionist based on the child’s specific needs and their personality.
For those students whose evaluations do not indicate dyslexia, Laughlin’s academic tutoring is a better option. Information about those services will be shared during the parent/evaluator meeting. You can also find this information under the Services for Grades 1-12 on our website.