Literacy

• Underlying speech or language difficulties may be impacting literacy skills
• Phonological awareness: Awareness of syllables, rhyme and being able to manipulate sounds in words
• Phonics: Ability to link letters to sounds · Ability to use blending and segmenting skills
• Reading fluency: The ability to read with speed, accuracy and use expression
• Vocabulary
• Written language: Planning and writing various text types
• Reading comprehension: The understanding and interpretation of what is read

Below are some warning signs to look for:

• Difficulty hearing sounds within a word and unable to break up individual sounds in a word
• Difficulty with oral rhyming or syllabification
• Reluctance to read or write
• Struggles to remember letters, sounds and words
• Reading is effortful
• Child will often guess words when reading or spelling
• Trouble hearing the difference between similar sounds
• Difficulty pronouncing longer words such as ‘Spaghetti Bolognaise’ or ‘hospital’
• Difficulty understanding reading material · Writing tasks are slow and laborious
• Great difficulties with transferring thoughts into written words

We are committed to early identification and we use effective evidence-based intervention that will support our clients with literacy difficulties. We start with a diagnostic literacy assessment that gives you an easy-to-understand overview of your child’s strengths and areas where additional support is needed.

We are aware that every child is unique, and each child learns in their own unique way. We use a structured synthetic phonics (SSP) therapy approach, which is proven to be most effective to produce significant literacy improvement. We also use a personalised approach that allows your child to learn at their own speed- moving ahead in areas they excel at, whilst giving the areas they’re struggling with the focus and support they deserve. Content is taught in a structured and clear manner, with lots of opportunity for repetition and practice.