Dyslexia Services

Lovejoy ISD Dyslexia  Services

Lovejoy ISD dyslexia services are based on prescriptive, researched-based Orton-Gillingham programs.  These programs address the five essential components of reading with direct, intensive and explicit instruction using multi-sensory techniques in learning the code of sounds and letters.  Multi-sensory learning offers students opportunities to learn through seeing, hearing, and touching.  In addition, these programs utilize repetition to secure the basic concepts of reading and spelling.  

Five Essential Components of Reading 

  1. Phonemic Awareness - knowledge and manipulation of sounds in spoken words

  2. Phonics - relationship between written and spoken letters and sounds

  3. Reading fluency, including oral reading skills - ability to read with accuracy, and with appropriate rate, expression, and phrasing

  4. Vocabulary development -  knowledge of words, their definitions, and context

  5. Reading comprehension strategies - understanding of meaning in text

Resources

Dyslexia Therapist Training Center

Interested in being a Certified Academic Language Therapist?

Lovejoy ISD is pleased to offer a dyslexia therapist training program using Take Flight. Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia is a two-year curriculum written by the staff of the Center for Dyslexia at Scottish Rite Hospital intended for individuals who have already completed a 4-year degree and are interested in being a Certified Academic Language Therapist.

Qualifications for Acceptance:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (official transcript is required)

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

  • Administrator Agreement Form

  • Application with Essay 

  • Admission Interview

Completion Requirements for Introductory Course:

  • 12 days of training in June

  • 6  seminar days throughout the school year

  • 5 demonstration videos

  • Additional assignments, book reports, and article summaries

  • At least 350 contact practicum hours with students

Completion Requirements for Advanced Course:

  • 8 days training in June

  • 5 seminar days throughout the school year

  • 5 demonstration videos

  • Additional assignments, book reports, and article summaries

  • Continuation of contact practicum hours with students  ( 700 required total)

     

Program Overview: 

  • Dyslexia Therapist Training is a two-year program.

  • Successful completion of the program qualifies trainees to take the ALTA Exam to become a CALT ( Certified Academic Language Therapist) 

  • Class size will be limited to 15 trainees

Introductory Course Summer 2024:

  • First Year Course Dates: May 28 - June 12  from 8:00 to 4:00 and 6 seminar days throughout the school year

    • Graduation will be held in May 2026

Advanced Course Summer 2024: ( Completion of Intro. Course required)

  • Second Year Course Dates: June 3 - June 12, 2024  from 8:00 to 4:00 and 6 seminar days throughout the school year

  • Graduation will be held in May 2025 

Qualified Instructor Training - Available for current Certified Academic Language Therapists. Contact Heather Fisher at heather_fisher@lovejoyisd.net for more information.

 Registration Opens Jan. 4, 2024!

Fees:

  • First-Year Introductory Course: $3,500 (includes all Texas Scottish Rite Take Flight curriculum materials for the first year)

  • Second-Year Advanced Course: $2,500 (includes all Texas Scottish Rite Take Flight curriculum materials for the second year) 


                ***Additional materials and resources will be required.

  • Qualified Instructor Training (2-year training): $2,000

Payment can be made via check made payable to Lovejoy ISD and sent to Lovejoy ISD, Attn: Heather Fisher, 259 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX 75002 

Location:

  • Training is held at Lovejoy ISD Child Development Center, 256 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX 75002

Training Center Contacts:

Heather Fisher, M.Ed, LDT, CALT-QI : Director and Instructor 

Heather holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Dallas Baptist University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.  She holds teaching certifications in the areas of General Education (EC- 6), Special Education (EC-12), and English as a Second Language (EC- 12), as well as Principal Certification (EC - 12).  Heather is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT). Heather has also earned her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials through ALTA after completing training at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, Texas in May, 2020. Email Heather Fisher

Susie Powell, M.Ed, LDT, CALT-QI : Instructor

Susie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History from Texas A & M University and a Masters of  Education with an emphasis on dyslexia therapy from Southern Methodist University. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT).  Susie earned her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, Texas in May 2020. Email Susan Powell

Please email the completed application with all application materials