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Dyslexia tutoring focused on confidence and results

How do you decide what tutoring approach will work best for your dyslexic student? At Read Write Spell Right, the focus is always on the individual: how best they learn and what gives them most confidence and most consistent results. Our Principal Kimberly Downey puts the Barton Reading & Spelling System at the heart of Read Write Spell Right’s dyslexia student tutoring, but weaves in other complementary modalities whenever she sees an individual will benefit. We always recommend a minimum of two one-hour sessions a week, delivered in-person, virtually, or through a mix of the two, and always 1-to-1.

Tutoring options

In-person tutoring

All Read Write Spell Write dyslexia tutoring is delivered 1-to-1 by Kimberly Downey through one-hour sessions. These are scheduled twice a week to maintain fidelity and ensure continued progress. Our philosophy is that, whenever possible, in-person tutoring is best. This is particularly true for the youngest students. We have offered this option uninterrupted since 2013. 

Hybrid tutoring

Mixing in-person and remote dyslexia tutoring eases logistical challenges — especially during peak hour traffic. And it makes it easier to schedule two or more weekly sessions. Whether the student is learning in-person, hybrid, or fully virtual, parents are kept fully apprised of progress through session recaps accessible at any time. Parent can also sit in on sessions — we believe in full transparency. 

Virtual tutoring

Read Write Spell Right has been delivering Barton Reading & Spelling sessions remotely since 2017, using dedicated software. This format works wells for most students and our virtual service is available US-wide.

The Barton difference

It’s the multi-sensory aspects that truly differentiate this system from the typical classroom language arts instruction. For example, even the most reserved students become animated using maracas to reinforce learning about vowels, and everyone enjoys card games! 

For students not quite ready to start the 10-level Barton system, there’s Foundation in Sounds. Structured Word Inquiry meanwhile helps make sense of the logic behind English spelling. Others benefit from Reading Simplified, and aspects of Handwriting Without Tears.  

We can also offer guidance to parents navigating the Independent Educational Plan (IEP) process and seeking school accommodations. 

Tutoring testimonials

Hear how our tutoring is helping dyslexic young people from their happy parents and guardians.

What a difference! October 2021

Thank you for everything!!!! What a difference you and the Barton Program have made in K's life! We appreciate you!

He's now asking to read! January 2023

He has been reading out loud to us in the evenings the last few weeks and we can see SUCH an improvement in his accuracy, endurance, and confidence. For the first time, he is asking to continue rather than counting the seconds until we tell him he can stop. We are delighted with the progress he is making through your tutoring!

Teachers notice results from early-stage tutoring March 2022

When E was still only at Barton Level 3 the effects from remediation were already noticed. E's teachers both noticed the strong progress she was making and they had seen the results of the tutoring in her classroom performance.

From despair to the Honor Society! May 2023

I wanted to share the good news that G is invited to join the National Junior Honor Society. I remember her despair a few years ago saying she was stupid and didn't care about school. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of your guidance and patience with G as she's worked through the Barton system with you. She couldn't have overcome dyslexia and accomplished this without you.

Teachers very impressed! August 2022

I know C. mentioned to you the meeting we had with our daughter's classroom and special education teachers. I wanted to share the specific comments from my notes that he made when he did an assessment on phonics and phonological awareness for background (not required by her IEP). He said that he sees she has had "very good instruction" in both of those areas and that he has "never seen a child who knows how to segment phonemes and read nonsense words as well as C.

NeuroLearning dyslexia screening

At Read Write Spell Right, we recommend that all students undergo a full educational evaluation to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This type of evaluation is, however, not a prerequisite for beginning tutoring. 

If your child has yet to be screened, we highly recommend NeuroLearning’s app-based assessment as a fast way to get objective data. Designed to assess anyone over the age of seven, this test identifies challenges in four key brain processes and four key reading skills to determine the student’s overall dyslexia risk. It takes between 45 and 60 minutes and can be done on a tablet or smartphone. 

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the questions we get asked about Read Write Spell Right’s dyslexia tutoring services. 

How much does your dyslexia tutoring cost?

There’s no single set fee for Read Write Spell Right’s dyslexia tutoring. How much you pay depends on your student’s individual needs, and this is something we can quickly identify in a free 20-minute call with Principal Kimberly Downey. Just go here to schedule yours.

How often does tutoring take place?

At Read Write Spell Right, we strongly recommend a minimum of two one-hour dyslexia training sessions per week to maintain fidelity and progress. This principle applies whether tutoring takes place in person, virtually, or through a mix of the two. To make even faster progress, many of our students add extra sessions during school vacations. Just schedule a free 20-minute call with Principal Kimberly Downey to explore what would work best for your student. 

 

Do you travel to the student’s home?

No. All Read Write Spell Right dyslexia tutoring sessions either take place at Principal Kimberly Downey’s home in Annandale, VA, or online via Zoom. If you’d like to find out more about these options, please schedule a free 20-minute call with Kimberly. 

Dyslexia 101 for parents & guardians

This free mini-course will help you discover what’s most essential to help your struggling reader. As a parent or guardian, you need to know what works, what doesn’t work, and how to tell the difference.

Free mini-course