FAQ
Q. What is a learning specialist?
A. A learning specialist provides individualized, targeted academic support using evidence-based instructional approaches. Instruction is tailored to each child’s learning profile and focuses on building foundational skills, confidence, and independence.
Q. Why are individualized educational services important?
A: Individualized services allow instruction to be designed around a child’s specific strengths and areas of need. While classrooms work hard to support all learners, many students benefit from one-to-one instruction that is intentionally paced and responsive to their learning style.
Q. How do you determine my child’s learning plan?
A: Instructional plans begin with a comprehensive Literacy Assessment (or, for preschool-age children, an early literacy screening), combined with ongoing observation throughout instruction. This keeps support data-informed, flexible, and aligned with your child's needs as they grow.
Q: Where do services take place?
A: Sessions take place at my home office in Boca Raton and, when permitted, in school settings. Availability may vary depending on location and student needs.
Q: How often should we meet?
A: Orton-Gillingham Instruction is provided with a minimum commitment of two sessions per week, which supports skill retention, continuity, and steady progress. Executive Functioning Coaching and Preschool Instruction follow a more flexible schedule based on each family's needs.
Q: What ages and subjects do you work with?
A: I work with students from preschool through high school, using an individualized Orton-Gillingham approach at every age, with a focus on literacy, language-based learning, and executive functioning. Preschool-age children (4–5) begin with an early literacy screening, followed by ongoing instruction where indicated. Elementary through high school students also receive ongoing instruction, tailored to each learner's needs.
Q. Is Orton-Gillingham only for students with dyslexia or learning differences?
A: No. Orton-Gillingham is a research-based, structured approach that benefits a wide range of learners. Its explicit, multisensory design supports skill development, retention, and confidence for many students.
Q: What's the difference between the Literacy Assessment and ongoing instruction?
A: The Literacy Assessment is a diagnostic evaluation — it identifies exactly where a student's skills are strong and where they need support, resulting in a written report and a follow-up call. Ongoing instruction is the individualized teaching that follows, built around what the assessment reveals.