Late talker, articulation errors, mispronunciation
Trouble hearing and producing rhymes
Late establishing dominant hand
Difficulty learning colors, shapes, letter names and sounds
Family history of dyslexia
Struggles with positional words (next to, under, behind, on top)
Fine or gross motor delays
May struggle to find the right word for something or saying the wrong word (word retrieval)
Difficulty breaking a word into individual sounds
Difficulty blending individual sounds into a word

Elementary School

Left and right confusion
Problems with rote memory such as address, phone number, math facts
Tying shoes
May confuse or omit high frequency words
Messy, illegible and disorganized handwriting, poor letter formations, may draw their letters, poor pencil control or grip (dysgraphia)
Poor spelling
Does not understand how many words in a sentence, how many syllables in a word, how many letters in a word, or how many sounds in a word
Letter or number reversals continuing past third grade
Slow, choppy, inaccurate reading
Guesses unknown words based on shape or context
Ignores prefixes and suffixes
Trouble with decoding unknown words
Often can’t remember sight words (they, were, does) or homonyms (their, they’re, and there)
Difficulty telling time with an analogue clock
Trouble with math – memorizing math facts
Memorizing a sequence of steps
Difficulty decoding nonsense words
Dreads going to school
Complains of stomach aches or headaches
May have nightmares about school
Avoids reading

Middle School and High School

All of the above symptoms plus:

Limited vocabulary
Extremely poor written expression
Large discrepancy between verbal skills and written compositions
Difficulty mastering a foreign language
Difficulty reading printed music
Difficulty organizing longer written assignments
Difficulty editing own work
Avoids homework
Decreased self-confidence
Hard time completing assignments on their own
Anxiety and depression
Poor grades in many classes
May drop out of high school

FAQ’s

How often is my child required to participate in reading therapy each week?

To maximize success, the Barton Reading and Spelling System requires your child to attend at least two sessions weekly for adequate practice and review.

Does The Literacy Link offer one-on-one reading therapy?

Our commitment to individualized instruction means your child will receive one-on-one tutoring tailored to his/her needs, with a carefully selected Literacy Coach.

Will my child work with many different Literacy Coaches or the same one?

We truly believe that a strong, trusting bond between your child and his/her Literacy Coach is essential for success. That’s why each session is one-on-one with the same caring, experienced teacher—providing your child with consistent instruction and personalized support every step of the way.

Do you accept learners of all ages?

Absolutely! The Literacy Link Reading Center welcomes students of every age. We’re excited to support your child’s growth into a stronger reader.

Do you require a dyslexia diagnosis for tutoring eligibility?

No, diagnosis is not necessary. Our Center serves children facing a range of reading challenges, and we partner with our Literacy Coaches and parents to tailor the program to each child’s specific needs.

Does The Literacy Link offer dyslexia evaluations?

Definitely! Dr. Maggie Block, a speech and language pathologist, conducts comprehensive language and literacy evaluations. maggie@metroeasttherapy.com

What are the benefits of having my child tested?

There can be many reasons why a child struggles with reading and writing. A comprehensive evaluation by an experienced Speech and Language Pathologist can help identify the underlying causes of your child’s difficulties.