What is dyslexia?

“…dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading in an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader. While people with dyslexia are slow readers, they often, paradoxically, are very fast and creative thinkers with strong reasoning abilities.”

-The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity

“Dyslexia” means a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, or both, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

-International Dyslexia Association

My child was diagnosed with dyslexia. Now what?

You are already taking the first steps! There is no correlation between dyslexia and IQ. Your child is just as intelligent, creative and resilient as you have always known them to be. A diagnosis of dyslexia will help you figure out what steps to take to ensure your child becomes a skilled reader.  It will also make you and their teachers aware of accommodations they qualify for throughout elementary, middle, high school and college. 

Will my child outgrow their reading difficulties?

If your child is affected by dyslexia or another language-based learning disability, it is not something that they will “grow out of.” Fortunately, with proper intervention and instruction they are still capable of becoming fluent, skilled readers.

My child writes their letters backward, do they have dyslexia?

It is a common misconception that people affected by dyslexia see letters and words backwards. As children are beginning to learn to write, both those affected by dyslexia and those who are not may write letters and/or numbers backwards. This is developmentally normal and seen into second grade. 

How is Forge Education different from services provided in school?

Forge Education uses data, evidence-based practices and curriculum to help all students achieve.  Though many schools have talented, well trained staff and strong curriculum, research shows that this type of intervention is most successful when administered a minimum of 2 times per week for 60 minutes each session.  Because of this, many students may require additional remediation to what is provided in school. 

How is Forge Education different from other service providers? 

All of our instructors have a Master’s Degree and/or are Certified Dyslexia Practitioners. We have individual classrooms that provide an ideal environment and tools for teaching and learning. The curriculum we use is in line with the Science of Reading and we ensure that students achieve mastery before moving on. Forge Education is data driven, and we are able to clearly show progress and growth through data collected each session, goals achieved and assessments that demonstrate content mastery.

How long should I expect my child to need intensive instruction?

Intensive instruction is not a “quick fix.” Assuming a child receives a minimum of 120 minutes of direct, explicit and systematic instruction it takes an average of 2-3 years to achieve mastery.

What are “evidence-based” practices and curriculum?

Instructional practices and curriculum that are “evidence-based” have a proven success rate when implemented with fidelity.

My child does not have documented disability, but is still struggling with reading. Can you help them?

YES! Our reading intervention is designed for each individual student and will address their specific needs.

Does Forge Education only work with children?

No. We are able to work with all individuals with reading difficulties from ages 5-adult.