First read the Utah Dyslexia Handbook. It is full of advice on IEPs, 504s, accommodation and the social emailing wellbeing of your child. This article from Understood is also helpful. Decoding Dyslexia Utah also has a discussion group for parents to share and ask questions, visit us on Facebook to join that group.
Below are several pages to help you with your communication with schools, how to help your child at home and tutors and psychologist who can assist you on your journey.
This is your first stop, print and read this handbook. Then take one to your child’s teacher! It is full of information to help all children learn to read.
Our favorite sections are advice on IEPs and 504 Plans and the list of accommodations in the back of the book.
- Build on the strengths...
- Find solutions to help at home.
- Give everyone (including yourself) a break sometimes!
On Headstrong Nation’s website you can map your child’s strengths to build on and support.
Reading Horizons offers online Orton-Gillingham based tutoring you can use at home. They also have materials you can use in addition to the online program.
There are two programs we recommend that are highly scripted so parents can use them at home.
American Preparatory Academy, has one CALT in training at each campus. Teaching Take Flight, an OG program.
Channing Hall: https://channinghall.org/ has teachers getting Orton Gillingham training.
Utah’s schools have started incorporating LETRS training for key educators who teach reading. As this process proceeds we are excited to see more of the Science of Reading in our Utah Classrooms. Also, keep in mind that there is no one perfect school environment that will suit every child with a reading problem and his or her family. The key to selecting a school is to determine which school environment, educators and curriculum meet your child’s priorities at a particular point in time. And your priorities will change as your child goes through school.
The steps and questions below will help guide you through the process of selecting a school and will also give insight to the range of possible programs and services that a school could potentially offer to your child.
The biggest question: does the school and its educators use the word dyslexia, and how familiar are they with dyslexia?
- Have they read Utah’s Dyslexia Handbook?
- How many teachers have taken LETRS training?
- How is LETRS training and the Science of Reading being translated into the classrooms?
- Are the teachers and administrators open and friendly, and do they welcome questions?
- Ask about the school’s core reading program
- Ask about what services are offered for kids with reading levels below benchmark
- Who works with students who are struggling to learn to read? Educators or Para-Educators?
- Ask about opportunities they offer for students to demonstrate knowledge without written assessments
- Can children use electronic devices, ipads, Livescribe, or computers in class for note-taking, etc.?
- Ask about testing for an IEP or 504 Plan for your child if they need additional support in the form of accommodations, modifications or additional educational services. (See the Utah’ Dyslexia Handbook for detail about IEPs and 504 Plans)
Community Montessori School – has one CALT in training teacher, teaching Take Flight, an OG program.
Ignite Academy: Uses Spire
Our Lady of the Lourdes Catholic School – has a Wilson trained Interventionist. Accepts the Carson Smith Scholarship.
The McGillis School: The Learning Center has Orton-Gillingham trained teachers and interventionists. The Learning Center helps students in grades 2-7 harness their strengths while overcoming their challenges. Our students process information differently than what is expected in a conventional classroom. They need a different approach and we embrace that difference.
https://www.mcgillisschool.org/program/the-learning-center
Scholarships that help pay for tutoring, curriculum, private school, and other services with an IEP.
Children First Utah Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a scholarship, services, or educational materials, the student must meet all of the following requirements:
- The student’s custodial parent or legal guardian must reside within the State of Utah.
- The student must have a recent (within the last year) IEP or be determined by a multidisciplinary evaluation team to be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act *
- The student is eligible to participate in public school, in kindergarten or grades 1 through 12
- The student must NOT be attending a public school or charter school in the school year of the award. (Student is attending K-12 private school or homeschool)
- The student must NOT be a student who receives a scholarship under the Carson Smith Scholarship Program in the school year of the award. (Parents may apply for both scholarships and choose the one providing the greater award. Awards under this scholarship are determined by income and family size, while awards under Carson Smith are determined by level of service the disability requires. See chart at bottom of page for amounts.)
*Your school district of residence is required by state and federal law to conduct an evaluation at your request, regardless of whether your child is educated in a public school, private school or homeschool. The law requires this evaluation to be conducted within 45 days of your request. Alternatively, Children First may be able to assist you in seeking an evaluation through a qualified multi-disciplinary team process.
- This is a revolving list and should not be considered comprehensive
- See the IDA Fact Sheet Evaluating Education Professional for questions to ask potential tutors
- Certification requirements for tutoring/evaluations are not submitted to DD-UT. Parents should use caution and be selective when interviewing potential tutors, screeners and neuro-psychologists
- We strongly suggest those considering tutoring get referrals from others
- Call for specific program details and pricing
Karee Atkinson – Riverton & Online
M.S., Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner, Certified Level in Training
801-455-2402
Phoebe Beacham M.B.A. – Draper & Online
S.P.I.R.E Certified, Barton Trained, Dyslexia Institute Trained Screening Certified
Decoding Dyslexia Co-founder
435-840-3827
Corrie Chase – Herriman
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training
Elementary teacher
Michele Chisholm – Holladay & Online
Barton Trained
801-870-3965
michelelchisholm@yahoo.com
Lisa Crellin
M.A.. CALT, CALT-QI (Qualified instructor) in training, Take Flight, Neuhaus Multisensory Reading and Spelling, Pre-Flight
Dyslexia screening
Belinda Durling – Draper
CALT in training, therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
First Grade Teacher, American Preparatory Academy
Belindadurling@hotmail.com
Cheryl Johnson – Sandy
S.P.I.R.E. Trained
801-949-4127
Kellie Lockwood
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS.
Elementary teacher
South Ogden Area
801-644-1134
Chelsey Nielson – North Bountiful
CALP, 700+ clinical hours completed, ready for CALT exam.
chelsey.nielson@gmail.com
AdreAnn Paul – Herriman
Associate Level Orgon-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS
Elementary teacher
801-717-6543
Ruth Rhodes – South Jordan
S.P.I.R.E. Trained
801-631-0226
Sarah Robinson – Salt Lake City & Online
CALT in training, therapy year, Take Flight
plainoldsarah@gmail.com
Jenny Snedaker – South Jordan & Online
Salt Lake Dyslexia Resource
801-419-8384
Jane Spece – Salt Lake
801-556-2014
Shannon Squire-Kitchens – Millcreek & Online
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
801-891-3638
shannonsquirekitchens@yahoo.com
Kathy Tenney – Salt Lake City & Online
M.S., CALT, CALT-QI (Qualified Instructor) in training, Take Flight, Alphabetic Phonics, Lindamood Bell, Project Read’s “Framing Your Thoughts”
Children First Education Fund Approved Provider (scholarships for private or home schooled students)
kathyftenney@gmail.com
Mary Williams – Salt Lake & Online
Speech-Language Pathologist
Certified Barton Screener, Lindamood Bell LiPS
The Learning Center @ The McGillis School – Salt Lake City
Independent Private School
801-583-0094
Marianne Demers – Park City
435-640-9055
demfmly@msn.com
Britta Josyln – Park City
Kathryn Martz – Park City
Wilson Trained Tutor
435-602-9690
Pamela Provetto – Heber/Midway/Park City
Orton-Gillingham Trained
914-450-6683
Literacy Utah Reading Clinic – Heber
Take Flight, Wilson, Speech Therapy
435-503-4341
Elise Pratt – Tooele
CALP; CALT in training therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
Elementary teacher
Aimee Stewart – Tooele
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS.
Elementary teacher
435-841-2188
AStewart@tooeleschools.org
Emili Larsen – Logan
435-760-5283
Sherry Curran
Clinton – in Dr. Adam Schwebach’s office
Barton Tutor
801-603-6977
Allyson Stenquist
801-497-6543
Diane Tucker – Davis, Weber & Box Elder Counties
Certified Barton Tutor and Screener
801-644-7143
luvutah612@yahoo.com
Amanda Bradshaw – Orem & Online
Bradshaw Dyslexia Tutoring
801-471-8281
Rachel Everitt – Saratoga Springs
M.A., CALP, CALT in training therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
95% Group Reading Interventionist
Alpine School District
Jennifer Napierski
Andrea Salvania
CALT in training, Take Flight, LETRS
Elementary teacher
Eagle Mountain
Kelly Tate
M.Ed., SpEd, CALT, CALT-QI (Qualified Instructor) in training, Take Flight, Alphabetic Phonics, SPIRE, LETRS.
Inspiring Minds of Utah
Lehi
kellylortate@gmail.com
Dyslexia Center of Utah – American Fork
Slingerland Method
801-756-1933
Lorene Holdaway
Wilson Certified
Hurricane, Utah (St. George Area)
435-467-3746
Lorell Loosle
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS
Elementary teacher
St. George
512-460-9355
Diane Tucker
Davis, Weber & Box Elder Counties
801-644-7143
Dyslexia Center of Utah – St. George Office
Slingerland Method
801-756-1933
Karee Atkinson
M.S., Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner, Certified Level in Training
801-455-2402
Phoebe Beacham M.B.A. – Draper & Online
S.P.I.R.E Certified, Barton Trained, Dyslexia Institute Trained Screening Certified
Decoding Dyslexia Co-founder
435-840-3827
Shea Barton
Certified Barton Tutor
801-698-2960
sheawelkbarton@yahoo.com
Rosemarie Hoffman, M.A.
Online Reading Tutoring
801-373-5178
Sarah Robinson
CALT in training, therapy year, Take Flight
plainoldsarah@gmail.com
Shannon Squire-Kitchens
Wilson Dyslexia Therapist
801-891-3638
shannonsquirekitchens@yahoo.com
Kathy Tenney
M.S., CALT, CALT-QI (Qualified Instructor) in training, Take Flight, Alphabetic Phonics, Lindamood Bell, Project Read’s “Framing Your Thoughts”
Children First Education Fund Approved Provider (scholarships for private or home schooled students)
kathyftenney@gmail.com
- This is a revolving list and should not be considered comprehensive
- This should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement of any neuro-psychologists or psychologists. This is simply a list of some psychologists that individuals have recommended
Lisa Daniels, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist / Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Cottonwood Assessment Clinic
4568 S. Highland Drive Suite B260
Salt Lake City, Ut 84117
Phone: 435-538-9899
Email: info@cottonwoodassessment.com
Website: www.cottonwoodassessment.com
Dr. Clay Frandsen, PhD
Complete Evaluations
Dr. Mary Hales
Neurodynamics
801-359-6069
370 East South Temple
Salt Lake City Utah 84111
Dr. Julia Jacobs
801-300-0466
1308 South 1700 East, Suite 209
Salt Lake City ,UT 84074
Dr. Jenise Jensen
Child Development & Neuropsychology Center
623 East 2100 South, Ste 103
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
p: 801-355-0195
f: 801-355-0199
Dr. Colleen Kuhn
801-355-3554
160 South 1000 East Suite 120
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
The BYU Comprehensive Clinic
The John Taylor Building (TLRB)
1190 North 900 East Provo, UT 84602
801-422-7759
The Educational Assessment and Student Support Clinic
University of Utah
801-581-6068
1635 Campus Center Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- This is a revolving list and should not be considered comprehensive
- This is provided for information purposes only. It should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement of any educator listed below. It is simply a list of teachers we know of and the Orton Gillingham training they have received.
Amy Caro – Midvale
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS.
Elementary teacher
678-446-9161
Corrie Chase – Herriman
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training
Elementary teacher
Belinda Durling – Draper
CALT in training, therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
First Grade Teacher, American Preparatory Academy
Rachel Everitt – Saratoga Springs
M.A., CALP, CALT in training therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
95% Group Reading Interventionist
Alpine School District
Kellie Lockwood
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS.
Elementary teacher
801-644-1134
AdreAnn Paul – Herriman
Associate Level Orgon-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS
Elementary teacher
801-717-6543
Elise Pratt – Tooele
CALP; CALT in training therapy year, Take Flight, LETRS
Elementary teacher
Andrea Salvania
CALT in training, Take Flight, LETRS
Elementary teacher
Eagle Mountain
Aimee Stewart – Tooele
Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Practitioner in Training, LETRS.
Elementary teacher
435-841-2188
AStewart@tooeleschools.org
- Do you need research-based center activities to help students with and at risk for dyslexia to practice the reading and writing skills you have explicitly taught?
Researchers and teachers at the Florida Center for Reading Research created research-based student center activities to support students in developing knowledge/skills in the areas of alphabet knowledge, oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, spelling, and writing. The student center activities are ready to print/use with students in pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms.
- Do you not have access to a reading program or curriculum to provide systematic and explicit phonics and word reading instruction during whole class or small group instruction?
The University of Florida Literacy Institute created a toolbox that provides free access to lesson plans and lesson materials to help students develop early literacy skills.
Are you trying to learn more about the science of reading or learn how to translate the science of reading research into practice?
1.) What Works Clearinghouse created practice guides based on reviews of the
Elementary Practice Guides:
- Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/21
- Teaching Elementary Students to Become Effective Writers:
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/17
- Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/14
Secondary Practice Guides:
- Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/29
- Teaching Secondary Students to Write Effectively: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/22
2.) The Meadows Center for Educational Risk, a research center at the University of Texas at Austin, provides extensive resources to help educators translate research into practice and improve student outcomes. The resources include booklets, handouts, lesson plans, videos, and other practical materials that align with research-based findings.
3.) The IRIS Center, a national center dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of school-age children, created resources to support teachers in implementing evidence-based practices in the classroom.
- Collaborative Strategic Reading is an instructional routine to support reading comprehension skills: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/csr/
- A strategy for writing persuasive essays: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/pow/
- PALS is peer tutoring strategy for strengthening students’ reading skills https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/pals26/
https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/palshs/
- Teaching vocabulary and comprehension in the secondary grades: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/sec-rdng/
- https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/sec-rdng2/