What is Academic Language Therapy?

Academic Language Therapy follows an intensive reading intervention program designed to meet the needs of those with learning differences and other reading-related issues. There are times when children are in need of additional written language instruction, and academic language therapy can benefit children and adults who have been diagnosed with dyslexia (and/or related disorders such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, or ADD). Dyslexia stems from a problem with neurological wiring in the brain that makes it more difficult to learn to read, write, spell, and speak. With treatment, dyslexics will achieve success in all areas of their lives.
Language therapists use multi-sensory teaching techniques appropriate for all language learners, even individuals who do not have dyslexia. Children who have difficulty acquiring basic literacy skills, but are not dyslexic, also benefit from academic language therapy.
Mrs. Pia Villanueva-Pulido is currently under training and learning how to become an academic language therapist with the guidance of McKinney Christian Academy's new Directed Studies Program for Multisensory Teacher Training and Language Therapy. Following the direction of her qualified instructors at McKinney Christian Academy, Mrs. Pulido uses the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital's Take Flight Program, a comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia, which offers one on one private or small group sessions for elementary and junior high students with written language weaknesses.
In addition to reading and writing intervention, Mrs. Pulido is also available in providing middle school students with writing and/or organizational skills. She takes pride in report writing and regular communication with parents and teachers, and inviting others to take the opportunity to learn more about the Multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham based Language Skills Program. Mrs. Pulido offers language therapy either individually or with very small groups. Benchmark measures and mastery checks are used to continually assess student progress. Results of the benchmark measures are used to make instructional decisions based on each student's individual needs. For more information, please email piav_pulido@yahoo.com.