Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'd love to know the tutors you used if they're local to DC!

Also, does anyone know if the interventions for orthographic dyslexia are the same as for other types of dyslexia.

The good ones are the same for both. Reading has a few key components - decoding, which is related to phonological awareness, and orthographic mapping or orthographic awareness, where you recognize words automatically and don’t need to sound them out. You need both of those skills PLUS understanding of language (vocab, syntax, etc) for reading comprehension.

You can’t get to orthographic mapping without going through phonological awareness and decoding. It is necessary but not sufficient. Exposure to syllables and words (lots and lots and lots of exposure) leads to orthographic mapping - reading single syllables and words, spelling them, handwriting them, seeing them singly and in context. All of those pieces - plus others - are part of a solid structured literacy intervention.

I’m the PP who responded first. DC is at Siena and overall it’s been a good experience - child is now above grade level in reading. We also discovered DC has dyscalculia and the multi-sensory math instruction has been helpful. Most teachers have been great but over the years a couple have been ineffective. As a small school DC has been able to participate in a lot of sports and activities.

Cons - since it’s a small school by design, the social dynamics can be challenging when the students are with the same small group every day. The school tries to mitigate this by mixing grades for specials but it still can be tough. The school will accelerate students in math, but otherwise it is not particularly challenging academically. That said, many students return to a mainstream school successfully in HS or go on to colleges (with merit scholarships!) after graduating HS from Siena.

Visit, ask lots of questions, and ask to talk to current families and families of alumni to determine if it might be a good fit for your kid.

No personal experience with Siena, but there was a thread recently with posters saying that their children hadn't progressed in reading there.

I think there's another dyslexia school in VA, but I'm blanking on the name.

If anyone has recommendations in person for montgomery county either for evaluation or tutoring would be great! Thank you.