#55 Summer Rewind Series: Dyslexia and Summer Therapy - Yes or No?
As summer approaches, I’m taking a moment to look back at some of the most impactful episodes to-date! I know this season brings a mix of relaxation and planning, especially for families navigating dyslexia. That's why I wanted to bring you our "Summer Rewind" series, a curated selection of previously aired episodes packed with valuable insights, practical strategies, and empowering advice to help you support your child's literacy journey through the warmer months and beyond. This episode, Dyslexia and Summer Therapy - Yes or No?, originally aired in May of 2023, and I hope you enjoy listening to it again (or for the first time)!
Research has shown that many children, especially dyslexic children, will lose reading skills over the summer without some support. If your child has been working hard with a dyslexia therapist after school all year and is doing really well, you need to think about what the fall will look like for your child based on the decisions you make for them in the summer.
In this episode, I outline some options that make it possible for you to balance your child’s summer. There are many ways to make this work for you, your family, and your child. Ultimately, it is a personal decision, and you should trust your parent-gut.
My Untangling Dyslexia: From Identification to IEP course walks you through every step of the identification and support process. I offer two options: the course itself, which gives you all the tools and templates you need to advocate for your child, or the course paired with a comprehensive literacy evaluation. Either way, you'll have a roadmap to follow instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, and you can learn more and apply now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/continuethejourney!
My brand-new mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.
Topics Covered:
- Practical approaches to maintain your child's reading progress while enjoying summer [1:55]
- Common setbacks and why taking the summer off can hurt dyslexic students [2:20]
- How to define your family's objectives for a productive and enjoyable summer [2:38]
- Options for specialized summer camps that offer both learning and leisure [3:09]
- Tips on adjusting therapy schedules to accommodate family vacations and summer activities [4:08]
- Why some families choose to increase intervention intensity over the summer to prepare for the new school year [4:32]
Key Takeaways
- Even a short break from reading intervention can lead to a "summer slide" in skills.
- You don't have to choose between summer fun and academic progress; many options blend both.
- From specialized camps to adjusted therapy schedules, there are many ways to continue support.
- Ultimately, the best summer plan for your child is a personal decision that aligns with your family's needs - so trust your gut.
When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:
Join the waitlist to find out when my long-awaited course, Untangling Dyslexia: From Identification to IEP, opens up again!
Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.
Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read.
Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to [email protected] or a DM on Instagram.
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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your favorite podcast platform.
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