When Your Child Is Diagnosed with Dyslexia: A Parent’s Guide to Next Steps
Hearing that your child has dyslexia can stir up a mix of emotions—relief at finally having answers, and worry about what comes next. Please know: you are not alone in this journey. Dyslexia affects many children, and with the right support, they can thrive in school and beyond.
The key is finding qualified professionals who specialize in structured literacy approaches grounded in the Science of Reading, the extensive body of research that tells us how children learn to read most effectively.
At Hoover Learning Group, we walk alongside families every step of the way. Through our centers in Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Louisville, we provide compassionate, evidence-based dyslexia therapy designed to meet each child’s unique needs. The diagnosis is not an ending; it's the beginning of discovering how your child learns best.
Seek Evidence-Based Structured Literacy Programs
When seeking help for your child, it's crucial to find programs that use evidence-based structured literacy approaches. These programs are systematic, explicit, and cumulative, teaching the structure of language from the ground up.
Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia is one of the most highly regarded programs available. Developed a therapy-level dyslexia curriculum, which was written by the staff of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC). The Take Flight Curriculum builds on the success of three previous dyslexia intervention programs and recent reading intervention studies, including data collected at the hospital.
Take Flight is designed for use by a Certified Academic Language Therapist for individuals with dyslexia ages 7 and older. For individuals younger than 7 years of age, we utilize BUILD: A K-1 Early Reading Intervention, a curriculum based on Take Flight, designed specifically for younger learners.
The Multisensory Difference
We recognize that every child learns uniquely. That’s why effective dyslexia intervention must be multisensory and engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways simultaneously. The multisensory approach helps children with dyslexia form stronger neural connections for reading and spelling. Diagnostic, explicit, systematic, Multisensory Structured Language intervention is designed to build students' accuracy, knowledge, and independence, leading to improved learning outcomes.
Finding the Right Professional: Why CALTs Matter
Not all tutors are trained to support children with dyslexia. A Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) is a professional who has undergone extensive specialized training and practicum hours in multisensory structured language intervention, completing 700-plus hours. CALTs provide diagnostic, explicit, systematic Multisensory Structured Language intervention, which builds a high degree of accuracy, knowledge, and independence for students with written-language disorders, including dyslexia.
At Hoover, our CALTs and CALPs (Certified Academic Language Practitioners) combine this expertise with patience, compassion, and encouragement so students don’t just learn new skills, they also feel understood and supported.
When interviewing potential therapists or programs, ask these important questions:
About Credentials:
Are you a Certified Academic Language Practitioner or Therapist (CALP or CALT)?
What specific training have you completed in structured literacy?
Do you have experience with and explicit training in evidence-based curricula like Take Flight or another therapy-level dyslexia program?
About Approach:
Do you use a multisensory approach to teaching reading and spelling?
How do you incorporate the Science of Reading research into your instruction?
Can you explain your systematic approach to teaching phonics and language structure?
How do you track progress and adjust instruction based on my child's needs?
About Program Structure:
How frequently will my child receive instruction, and for what duration?
Do you provide both individual and small group instruction options?
How do you communicate progress to parents and coordinate with school teams?
Partnering With Families and Schools
At Hoover, we believe supporting your child takes true teamwork. That’s why we work side by side with families, teachers, and schools to ensure every child has the tools and encouragement they need to thrive. By guiding families through 504 Plans and IEPs, aligning services with school expectations, and sharing practical strategies that can be used both at home and in the classroom, we help bridge the gap between school and home learning. This collaboration ensures that your child receives consistent, personalized support tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.
Beyond classroom connections, we empower families with resources that make the journey feel less overwhelming and more hopeful. From assistive technology guidance that helps unlock your child’s independence, to parent workshops that provide hands-on tools and knowledge, to regular progress updates that keep you informed and engaged, we make sure you never feel alone in the process. Our goal is to help parents feel confident and supported every step of the way, creating an environment where children can not only succeed but truly shine.
Moving Forward With Confidence
It’s important to remember that dyslexia is a learning difference, not a limitation. With early intervention, evidence-based instruction, and steady encouragement, your child can become a confident reader and learner.
At Hoover Learning Group, we’ve seen it happen time and time again: children who once struggled to keep up begin to discover their strengths and approach learning with renewed confidence with the right support provided by a CALT/CALP.
If you’re a parent in Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, or Louisville, wondering what comes next after a dyslexia diagnosis, know that there is a path forward and we are here to walk it with you.