Dyslexia Tutoring is Expensive!
At a homeschool conference in Idaho I overheard a conversation that stopped me in my tracks. I listened, with some horror, as a mom told how the family sold their home and moved into a crowded apartment in order to afford dyslexia tutoring and private school for one of their children. “What else could we do?” she asked. “If you can’t read, you can’t do anything.”
Why Parents and Teachers Think Dyslexia Tutoring is Essential
I am a dyslexia tutor. My training and experience differ dramatically from that of a classroom teacher. I LOVE my work! I also think it’s important because it makes a wonderful difference in people’s lives. So, you might assume I would always recommend dyslexia tutoring. Parents faced with a dyslexia diagnosis often realize they don’t have the skills needed to help their child, and that the classroom setting hasn’t helped either. When they look at the cost of private dyslexia tutoring and private school, panic sets in if they aren’t wealthy. But, parents think they have no choice. Teachers and school counselors strongly encourage private tutoring because classroom teachers really don’t have the training nor the time to work intensively with one child. The diagnosing psychologist will almost certainly recommend private tutoring. And the “experts” the parents are told to call are usually either dyslexia tutors or private school administrators! They assure the parents that doing right by their child means paying for these services. The parents feel overwhelmed with professional advice, all pushing them to pay for dyslexia tutoring, regardless of what that does to the family finances.
Why Private School Appears to be the Answer
Next looms the problem of only twenty-four hours in a day. If the child is in school and struggling to complete homework, then an hour of tutoring three days a week is added, along with travel time, when will the child play? Or even eat? How will parents juggle all this if there are other children in the family? Private dyslexia schools offer a solution. If the parent can pay the tuition, the child will have teachers who understand dyslexia, and private dyslexia tutoring built into the school day. Homework demands will be reasonable or non-existent. Many dyslexia schools feature awesome opportunities; science and computer labs, horseback riding, backpacking, art, and music. Truly, many of these schools provide wonderful education that any family would love! If you can afford it, this may be the answer.
The only drawback to private dyslexia schools is that the tutoring at the school may or may not be what your child needs to read at a high level. Almost all schools use a form of Orton-Gillingham tutoring, which is multi-sensory intensive phonics. This approach focuses on what is hardest for dyslexics and usually takes a dyslexic student from non-reader to slow reader, but doesn’t use dyslexia strengths to allow the student to read fast and easily. In fact, there is a strong belief among Orton-Gillingham practitioners that dyslexic readers will be slow readers all their lives, and must compensate for that. In my experience, this simply doesn’t have to be the case.
How to Choose a Dyslexia Tutor if You Really Want One
If you are lucky enough to live near a school designed for dyslexia, it’s worth a look. Spend time there to understand the culture of the school — does it feel right for your child? Ask about scholarships if money is a concern. Be sure to observe several private tutoring sessions, thinking about the paragraph above. Consider how your other children will react to a sibling getting “special privileges.” Also, take time to visit private schools that may not advertise as dyslexia schools. For example, Montessori and Waldorf schools both have excellent outcomes for students with dyslexia. This is probably due to an emphasis on active hands-on learning, movement and rhythm, and a rich oral language foundation. This allows dyslexic students time to build the skills they need, without feeling “stupid.” Similarly, small charter schools with project-based learning can be great places for dyslexic students. Talk to parents and teachers at the school to determine if it’s a good fit. Charter schools are generally tuition-free, but most require some parent volunteer time, which is great because it lets you observe without intruding. Most importantly, remember that if you and your child aren’t both happy with the school choice, you have the right to change at any time. If another school isn’t immediately available, you can home school for a while.
Your Child Can Learn to Read Without a Dyslexia Tutor
Wait, wait — you mean my dyslexic child isn’t doomed if I home school? Not at all. Of course, homeschooling is a big commitment, but it may be less time-consuming than you think. A lot of parents find they can comfortably home school in two hours a day. A lot of public school parents spend two hours a day helping their dyslexic child with homework! If you think homeschooling might be an option for you, please read my article, “Four Reasons to Homeschool Your Dyslexic Child, and One Reason Not to.”
Even if you feel you have to leave your child in public school, and you can’t afford a tutor or private schooling, and you aren’t able to home school, your child can still learn to read! If you enjoy working with your child and can do it joyfully and playfully, you can give them the tools they need. If you don’t have the temperament (patience, playfulness, focus) to do it well, arrange for a grandparent or college kid to do the reading sessions. In either case, I think you’ll find my book, Dyslexia Tool Kit Expanded Edition: What to do when phonics isn’t enough
Happy reading!
by Yvonna Graham, M.Ed. www.dyslexiakit.net
@GrahamYvonna