How do I know if my child needs dyslexia intervention?

Signs that your child may benefit from specialized reading support include: difficulty sounding out words, slow or labored reading, avoiding reading activities, strong verbal skills but poor reading performance, trouble with spelling despite memorizing words, and reading comprehension that doesn't match their intelligence level. Many bright children struggle with reading due to dyslexia, and early intervention is key. If your child is falling behind in reading despite good instruction and effort, a comprehensive assessment can identify specific areas where they need support.

What is Orton-Gillingham and why is it effective for dyslexia?

Orton-Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach specifically designed for students with dyslexia. Unlike general reading programs, OG teaches reading systematically by engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways simultaneously. Students learn letter-sound relationships through seeing, hearing, and physical movement, which helps their brains form stronger neural pathways for reading. This evidence-based methodology is recommended by the International Dyslexia Association and has decades of research supporting its effectiveness for struggling readers.

What happens during a comprehensive reading assessment?

Our assessment process includes three key components: a detailed parent consultation to understand your child's history and current challenges, comprehensive testing that evaluates phonemic awareness, decoding skills, fluency, comprehension, and spelling patterns, and a results meeting where we review findings and create a customized intervention plan. The entire process takes about 4-5 hours total over 2-3 sessions. You'll receive a detailed written report with specific recommendations for both home and school support, plus concrete next steps for helping your child succeed.

Do you work with homeschool families, and what does that look like?

Absolutely! We specialize in supporting homeschool families with flexible daytime sessions between 1:00-3:00 PM.Services include individual Orton-Gillingham tutoring, small group classes for homeschool co-ops, curriculum consultation to help you choose appropriate reading materials, and parent training so you can reinforce skills at home. Many homeschool parents appreciate having a reading specialist who understands their unique needs and can provide expert guidance while respecting their educational choices.

How long does it typically take to see improvement in my child's reading?

Most students begin showing confidence improvements within 4-6 weeks, with measurable skill gains appearing after 2-3 months of consistent intervention. However, every child's timeline is different based on factors like age, severity of reading difficulties, and consistency of instruction. Younger students (ages 6-8) often progress more quickly, while older students may take longer but can make significant gains. We track progress carefully and adjust instruction based on your child's response. The key is consistent, specialized instruction rather than expecting overnight changes.

What makes Tessera Academy different from other tutoring services?

Three key factors set us apart: First, I'm an IDA Certified Dyslexia Interventionist with specialized training in evidence-based reading intervention, not just a general tutor. Second, our Orton-Gillingham approach is specifically designed for dyslexia and reading differences, providing systematic, multisensory instruction that addresses root causes rather than just symptoms. Third, we offer flexible scheduling including daytime options for homeschool families, comprehensive assessments, and family support that bridges home and school. You're getting specialized expertise that most general tutoring services simply can't provide.

Do you accept insurance or offer payment plans?

While we don't directly bill insurance, many families successfully get reimbursement through their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for dyslexia intervention services. We provide detailed receipts and documentation to support your reimbursement requests. For families who need payment flexibility, we offer structured payment plans for comprehensive assessments. We also provide sliding scale options for limited qualifying families because we believe every child deserves access to specialized reading support. We proudly support our military families with a 10% discount on all services. Contact us to discuss options that work for your family's budget.