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Dyslexia Tutoring in Evergreen, CO

Dyslexia affects how the brain processes written language. With the right instruction, students with dyslexia can become confident, capable readers. I provide specialized Orton-Gillingham based tutoring for students with dyslexia in Evergreen and the surrounding mountain communities.

Understanding Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects reading, spelling, and writing. It is not related to intelligence. Students with dyslexia often have strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities, but the way their brains process the sounds and symbols of written language makes traditional reading instruction less effective for them.

According to the International Dyslexia Association, dyslexia affects approximately 15 to 20 percent of the population. Many students with dyslexia are not identified until they have already fallen significantly behind their peers, which can affect their confidence and attitude toward school.

Signs of Dyslexia by Age

Kindergarten Through 2nd Grade

• Difficulty learning letter names and sounds
• Trouble rhyming or recognizing rhyming patterns
• Slow to connect letters with their sounds
• Difficulty blending sounds together to form words
• Confusing letters that look similar (b/d, p/q)
• Avoiding reading activities or becoming upset during reading time

3rd Grade Through 5th Grade

• Reading slowly and with great effort
• Difficulty with unfamiliar or multi-syllable words
• Poor spelling that does not improve with repeated practice
• Avoiding reading aloud
• Struggling with reading comprehension despite understanding concepts when information is presented verbally
• Falling behind in subjects that require reading

6th Grade Through 8th Grade

• Continued difficulty with reading fluency and accuracy
• Trouble with written expression despite having good ideas
• Difficulty completing reading-heavy assignments in the expected timeframe
• Avoiding reading for pleasure
• Frustration or anxiety related to schoolwork

How Orton-Gillingham Helps Students With Dyslexia

The Orton-Gillingham approach was developed specifically for students who struggle with reading. It is the foundation of most structured literacy programs recommended by the International Dyslexia Association.

What makes Orton-Gillingham effective for students with dyslexia:

• Multi-sensory: Students learn through seeing, hearing, speaking, and touching simultaneously. This engages multiple pathways in the brain, making it easier to form and retain connections between sounds and letters.
• Structured and sequential: Skills are taught in a logical order, starting with the most basic sound-letter relationships and building systematically. No skill is skipped.
• Cumulative: Each lesson reviews and builds on what came before. Students do not move forward until previous skills are solid.
• Individualized: The pace and focus of instruction are adjusted based on each student’s specific needs, strengths, and progress.
• Explicit: Nothing is left to guessing. Students are directly taught the rules and patterns of English rather than being expected to figure them out on their own.

What to Expect From Dyslexia Tutoring

I start with an assessment to understand exactly where your child’s reading skills stand and where the gaps are. From there, I create an individualized plan that follows the Orton-Gillingham scope and sequence at a pace that matches your child.

Typical sessions include work on phonemic awareness, sound-symbol correspondence, decoding, encoding (spelling), fluency, and vocabulary. Sessions are structured but engaging. I work to build your child’s confidence alongside their skills, because students who believe they can learn will work harder to do so.

I also provide guidance for parents on how to support their child’s reading at home and how to work with their school to ensure consistent support. Many parents find that understanding how dyslexia works changes the way they approach homework time and school communication.

Getting Started

If you suspect your child may have dyslexia or if they have already been diagnosed, early intervention makes a significant difference. But it is never too late to start. Older students respond well to Orton-Gillingham instruction once they understand the patterns underlying English.