Structured, Multisensory Reading Help for Struggling Readers
Orton-Gillingham based instruction from trained educators, right here in Davidson, NC.
Your child is bright, curious, and capable. But reading feels like a battle, homework ends in tears, they guess at words, and they’re starting to say “I’m just not smart.” You know something isn’t clicking, and you’re right: struggling readers don’t need more of the same instruction, they need different instruction.
At Davidson Center, our Orton-Gillingham trained educators teach reading the way research says struggling readers, including students with dyslexia, learn best: explicitly, systematically, and through every sense.
Every week matters for a struggling reader. Schedule a free consult and find out exactly what’s getting in the way, and exactly how we’ll fix it.
Is This Your Child?
Reading difficulties rarely announce themselves. They look like:
- Guessing at words from the first letter or the pictures
- Reading slowly, word by word, with little expression
- Avoiding reading aloud, or avoiding books altogether
- Spelling the same word three different ways on one page
- Strong listening comprehension, but weak reading comprehension
- Homework battles, stomachaches on school days, “I hate reading”
- A bright, verbal child whose grades don’t match their ability
- Falling below benchmark on school assessments
If any of this sounds familiar, your child isn’t lazy and isn’t behind for lack of effort. They may simply need a structured literacy approach, and the earlier they get it, the faster confidence returns.
What Is Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is the gold-standard approach behind nearly every effective dyslexia intervention. Rather than asking students to memorize words or guess from context, OG teaches the structure of the English language itself, sounds, letters, syllables, and spelling rules, in a sequence that builds skill upon skill.
What makes it different:
- Multisensory. Students see it, say it, hear it, and write it — tracing letters in sand, tapping out sounds, building words with tiles. Multiple pathways to the brain make learning stick.
- Structured and sequential. Every lesson builds on the last. Nothing is assumed; nothing is skipped.
- Diagnostic and individualized. Instruction is one-on-one and constantly adjusted. We teach to mastery, not to a pacing guide.
- Explicit. We never ask a child to guess. We teach the why behind English, so reading finally makes sense.
OG is effective for students with dyslexia, and for any student who struggles with decoding, fluency, or spelling.
Davidson Center’s OG team leader and Center Director, Laurissa Ecker-Berkman and our therapy dog, Andi Rose
Our Team: Trained Specialists, Not Generalist Tutors
Reading remediation is only as good as the educator delivering it. Davidson Center’s literacy team includes:
- Orton-Gillingham trained educators, with training through IMSE, Wilson, and The Fletcher School in Charlotte
- LETRS®-trained instructors grounded in the science of reading
- Reading specialists with master’s degrees in Reading, Literacy, and Special Education, including educators with 20–30 years of experience
- Led by Laurissa Ecker-Berkman, M.A. in Literacy (K–12), who personally designs and oversees intervention plans
Several of our educators have supported children with dyslexia in their own families. We understand this journey personally, not just professionally.
How It Works
- Free consult. We listen. You tell us what you’re seeing at home and school, and share any evaluations or school reports.
- Individualized plan. Your child is matched with an OG-trained educator and a lesson sequence is built for their specific gaps.
- Reading assessment. We use the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment to find a baseline for instruction and track progress in phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension.
- One-on-one instruction. Structured, multisensory sessions in a warm environment where kids feel safe to try. (Yes, our therapy dog Andi Rose is part of the welcome committee.)
- Progress you can see. Regular progress monitoring, transparent communication with you, and collaboration with your child’s school and IEP/504 team when helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from regular tutoring? Tutoring re-teaches classroom content. Reading remediation rebuilds the foundation. A student who struggles to decode won’t be fixed by homework help, they need systematic, structured instruction grounded in an understanding of how people actually learn to read, delivered by someone trained to provide it.
Does my child need a dyslexia diagnosis to start? No. Many families come to us before or instead of a formal evaluation. (Davidson Center also offers evaluations and testing if you want formal answers.)
How long does reading remediation take? It depends on your child’s starting point and session frequency. Structured literacy is a marathon, not a sprint. Most students need consistent instruction over months, not weeks, but families typically see confidence improve early, and skills follow.
Do you work with my child’s school? Yes. We communicate with teachers, share progress, and can support IEP and 504 conversations.
What ages do you work with? We support struggling readers from early elementary through high school. Earlier is better, but it is never too late to become a reader.
Is financial help available? Davidson Center is eligible for North Carolina SEAA scholarship funds (ESA+ and Opportunity Scholarship). Ask us how they can apply to reading remediation.