What Is Structured Literacy Intervention?
Structured literacy is an approach to reading and writing instruction grounded in the science of reading. "Science of Reading" has become a buzzy term of late, and while we don't want to use the term as a passcode or signal of virtue, it refers to something of great value. The field of literacy education has undergone a significant shift in recent years. Researchers have confirmed what many special educators already knew: students learn to read most effectively when skills are taught in a carefully sequenced progression, from phonemic awareness and phonics to fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Students benefit when instruction is explicit, systematic, and multisensory. All of this is especially true for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. But really, a whole range of learners can benefit from this kind of structured approach.
Our structured literacy tutors draw on methodologies including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, and other evidence-based programs aligned with the science of reading. As is always true at Write Seattle, each tutor approaches sessions in their own way and is able to shape sessions to the needs of the student they're working with. In general we believe that sessions work best when tutor and student are co-creators of their work together. But the tutors listed on this page will be working from a rather firmer playbook than others might, and for some students, that will be exactly what they need.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. Students with dyslexia often struggle with decoding, spelling, and reading fluency because their brains are wired to process written words differently. The good news is that with the right kind of instruction, students with dyslexia can make real, meaningful progress in reading and writing and develop the kind of confidence that extends well beyond academics.
Write Seattle tutors do not provide diagnoses, and as much as possible we avoid pigeonholing students based on their diagnoses, IEPs, etc. What we do offer is experienced, compassionate one-on-one instruction from tutors who are trained in the evidence-based methods that research shows are most effective for students with dyslexia. And while we don't take this work lightly, we will try to bring a cheery relationship-based approach to sessions, because no one learns best under a dark cloud!
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia affects a student's ability to write clearly and fluently. It can show up as difficulty with handwriting, spelling, organizing thoughts on paper, or all of the above. If your child's teachers have ever noted that their written work doesn't seem to reflect what they're capable of verbally, dysgraphia may be part of the picture. It often co-occurs with dyslexia, and many of the same structured literacy strategies that help with reading also support writing development.
Once again, an important caveat is that we are not occupational therapists, who are the specialists with particular expertise in the fine motor skills side of producing written work. With that said, our tutors can work with students on whatever skills are most challenging for them, whether that's letter formation, sentence construction, paragraph organization, or simply the physical act of getting words on a page. Just like reading skills, writing does not come as easily to some students as others, but the barriers posed by a dysgraphia diagnosis are certainly not insurmountable!
Reading Specialists
Not every student who needs intensive reading support has a dyslexia diagnosis. Some children struggle with decoding, fluency, or comprehension for reasons that haven't been clearly identified, or that don't fit neatly into a single category. Sometimes a parent just knows that something isn't clicking, even if a school evaluation hasn't turned anything up. Our tutors include certified reading specialists and experienced reading interventionists trained in the same evidence-based, structured literacy methods we use in dyslexia intervention. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you simply know they need more support than a general reading tutor can provide, we can match you with a specialist who will figure out where your student's skills break down and build a plan to close the gap.
