Highway 9 Professional Center
9623 32nd St SE A-107
Lake Stevens WA 98258
425-249-9612
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is dyslexia?
According to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), “dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with this condition must learn coping strategies. Research indicates that dyslexia has no relationship to intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia are neither more nor less intelligent than the general population. But some say the way individuals with dyslexia think can actually be an asset in achieving success.”
Children with dyslexia have a neurological learning disability - they are NOT lazy. With proper treatment and instruction, they can learn to be successful readers. Many famous actors, athletes, and entrepreneurs, such as Keira Knightley, Mohammad Ali, and Richard Branson, did not let their dyslexia stop them from pursuing their dreams! Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants) and Henry Winkler (Here's Hank) have even become best-selling authors.
What are the warning signs of dyslexia?
Dyslexia can look different in different people, but some common behaviors to look for are trouble with rhyming, slow reading, poor spelling, difficulty sounding out new words, reluctance to read aloud, and difficulty understanding what is read.
Do I/does my child have dyslexia?
In order to be certain, an evaluation should be completed by a speech-language pathologist, neuropsychiatrist, or neuropsychologist who can diagnose dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Tiny Dog Dyslexia & Language Strategies is able to provide evaluations and diagnoses. However, if you are wanting to obtain accommodations for a test like the SAT or GRE, you will need to have a diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist.
How can you help me/my child?
At Tiny Dog Dyslexia & Language Strategies, we address all aspects of dyslexia, including reading, writing, and penmanship. We use proven, evidence-based methods to assist our clients with their difficulties. We also recognize the strengths that are an integral part of dyslexia, and work through those strengths to address the challenges being faced by individuals who struggle with reading.
What happens during a typical session?
In the initial session, the client will complete a short assessment to determine which skills are the most challenging. Then, we will schedule twice-weekly sessions to address those challenges.
During our sessions, clients will be guided through the reading process using an Orton-Gillingham (OG) based treatment model, which is a language based, individualized, multi-sensory approach. Evidence has shown that OG-based programs provide superior results for children with dyslexia. We do our best to make sure clients experience success during every step of treatment and develop the skills necessary to become effective readers.
How long will the treatment take?
Treatment generally lasts from 18 months to 3 years, depending on the frequency of treatment sessions and the severity of the reading impairment. Clients will receive brief homework assignments after every treatment session, and are asked to complete them and bring them to their next session. This ensures that concepts discussed in the session are being reinforced at home and leads to quicker, longer lasting progress than simply attending treatment sessions without any follow-up outside of the sessions.
Will insurance pay for my/my child's treatment?
Tiny Dog Strategies is unable to bill insurance directly for treatment. However, we will be happy to provide documentation that can be submitted to many insurance companies for reimbursement. We cannot guarantee that your insurance provider will reimburse you for our services.
How can I learn more about dyslexia?
Check out our Resources for a list of useful books and websites.