Ravinia Reading Center Frequently Asked Questions
Find Out About Who We Are and What We Do
Have a question about dyslexia, reading difficulties or our reading clinic in Chicago's north suburbs? Ask us: info@RaviniaReadingCenter.com.
- Can you describe your program?
- Who are Ravinia Reading Center's teachers?
- What about other phonics programs or reading centers?
- How often do children attend?
- How much do reading lessons cost?
- Do you coordinate with the schools?
- How do you know my child is learning to read?
- Is it too early for my child to start?
- Do you teach dyslexic adults to read?
- Does Ravinia teach comprehension?
- Does Ravinia assign homework?
- Does Ravinia provide advocacy services?
- Does Ravinia use computers to teach reading?
Can you describe your program?
We take an integrated approach to science-based reading instruction, emphasizing phonics and phonemic awareness. By tailoring expert instruction to your child’s reading level, we can gain traction where others have not, building phonics and phonemic awareness skills simultaneously so that your child can learn to toward decode words immediately and on his own. Reading fluency is the overarching goal.
Who are Ravinia Reading Center's teachers?
For information on our teachers, visit the teachers page.
What about other phonics programs or reading centers?
The first thing you should know is that most packaged phonics programs are designed to be used by a general educator or parent. The authors of some of these materials offer workshops and certification programs that are available to the general public. In too many instances, practitioners are allowed to purchase and use materials without adequate understanding of the true nature of reading difficulties.
With any reading instruction, the depth of the teacher’s knowledge is critical to its success. If all you hear from someone responsible for teaching your child to read is the name of the particular boxed set they favor, be prepared to ask some additional questions. Of course, some instruction is better than nothing.
Our reading program, which consists of twice-a-week instruction from a speech language pathologist, is superior to even the best packaged materials. The difference is the quality of instruction. Our reading teachers understand how reading is learned, and recognize the challenges a particular reader faces.
Speech language pathologists at Ravinia could teach a child to read with nothing more than a pad and piece of paper if we had to. It is our expertise. However, we have at our disposal a large library of teaching materials available, most of them developed right here at Ravinia to address instructional needs we’ve identified in our clinic.
We caution parents to beware of programs that have new trendy names, including Reading Recovery (recently found to be ineffective with poor readers), Guided Reading, Four Block, or Balanced Literacy. These are whole language approaches that have not been validated by research or peer review.
When looking for a reading program, keep in mind the recommendations of the National Reading Panel and you’ll be on the right track. Also be an informed consumer and make sure the program is research based, because some programs have merely tacked-on new curriculum to ineffective methods. Lastly, remember that it is the knowledge and training of the practitioner that matters most when teaching a struggling reader.
Typical attendance at the Center is twice a week for 45 minutes each. This is the starting point. We have found that anything less does not reinforce the concepts taught sufficiently to build from lesson to lesson.
Some of our students come more, usually on the advice of a tester, or after we have spent time with a child and find that more intensive teaching is warranted. For struggling readers and students with dyslexia, it takes relentless practice to achieve results.
How much do reading lessons cost?
$98 per 45-minute session. Please see our Rates & Policies.
Do you coordinate with the schools?
We can check in with schools if you'd like communication between. Please keep in mind schools have varying degrees of cooperation, information sharing and capabilities.
How long will it take for my child to read well?
Almost every parent wonders about the long-term, because they care about a child's future. It will take as long as it has to take, because reading is important. That's just the nature of overcoming dyslexia or a reading difficulty. But we will be there to help, and do all we can to make progress with every lesson.
The good news is, the sooner a child receives quality instruction the sooner he or she will be an independent reader. Most of our students are here for more than a year, sometimes three, or even five depending on the child.
How do you know my child is learning to read?
Please see our progress and results page for more information.
Is it too early for my child to start?
No! Clues to potential reading problems can be apparent even before age two. And while we're not suggesting that children enroll at RRC to celebrate their second birthday, we do know that early intervention is the fastest route to success.
One common trait among all struggling readers is the lack of ability to think of words in the new ways reading requires. You might notice this as a parent, if your child has trouble naming things like colors, or the names of letters. Our beginning work with small children keeps them learning, so they won’t fall behind.
Mastering these new ways of thinking about words and sounds cannot be skipped; it is the cornerstone of reading and a foundation that should be set early. Kids who need the help can get timely instruction with Ravinia from the start; to prevent reading difficulties from emerging later down the road.
Do you teach dyslexic adults to read?
Although early education is best, adults can certainly learn to read, and we can teach them.
Most variations in comprehension skill have to do with a child's ability to decode written words easily. To check this out, compare your child's ability to listen to a story and understand it versus his or her ability to read a story and understand it.
Our goal is to achieve reading fluency, which allows for improved comprehension naturally. Read more about Reading Fluency and Comprehension.
Yes, we've designed homework packets to supplement instruction and we encourage kids to complete them. Just a few minutes working with your child each evening can help reinforce new skills and make your child a better reader.
Do you provide advocacy services?
We really can't. Advocacy, which includes persuading others to follow instructional recommendations, is a conflict of interest. We can refer you to a good advocate who can provide these services.
Does Ravinia use computers to teach reading?
No! We caution against the use of touted computerized reading programs as a primary source for learning. They can be fun and a support for proper instruction elsewhere. But at this time, they should only be used for reinforcement.