What we do.

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Structured Multi-sensory Language Tutoring
Good teaching is teaching to every child’s strengths. Using visual, auditory, tactile/kinesthetic modalities ensures the information gets in, and additional practice builds pathways in their brains for mastery and long term memory. That is multi-sensory teaching which gives every child their best chance for success.

Children have a natural desire to develop spoken language and begin to understand printed words. For many children learning to read, write and spell comes easily. Unfortunately, for a significant number of children learning to read and develop written language skills doesn’t come naturally, despite normal intelligence, effective classroom instruction, and a desire to learn. Sadly, language, learning difficulties can lead to problems in vocabulary development, reading comprehension and general knowledge attained during reading.

When taught with traditional teaching methods these young learners often face frustration and failure. However, they will experience success when they receive specialized and individualized instruction during structured, multisensory language tutoring sessions; which also teaches other language skills and introduces reading strategies for life-long learning success.

Learning ABILITIES’ goal is to provide specialized one-to-one instruction that enables students to develop effective reading, spelling and writing skills.*  Phonics Fundamentals, the foundation of our teaching, is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching language arts skills, and the knowledge that children learn using all their senses.

Learning ABILITIES’ individualized lessons include:
  • Multisensory teaching—reinforced throughout every lesson,
  • Direct instruction in phonics, language structure, and spelling rules,
  • Instruction emphasis on development of phonological awareness,
  • Teaching is explicit, sequential and cumulative.

Finally, information is presented in a systematic, cumulative fashion that teaches to children’s intelligence, rather than rote memorization. The number of tutoring hours varies according to the severity of each student’s difficulties, intelligence, emotional make-up, family/school support, and the age when a child is identified. Many students need tutoring for one to two years.

*  If referred on to an independent provider: the scheduling of lessons, location of lessons, billing procedures and costs are determined by each independent provider.  All network providers have a college degree and have received training in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading.