Marci Peterson, MEd, BCET, C-SLDS
Board Certified Educational Therapist (AET)
Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist (CERI/IDA)
As an educational therapist, I offer instruction, assessment, and consultation for dyslexia. Dyslexia, a language-based learning difference, is neurologically based and presents challenges in reading, writing, and spelling. The hallmark of identifying dyslexia is weak phonological processing. Fortunately, decades of research have provided us with evidence-based methods for instructing and identifying those with dyslexia and other reading or writing challenges.
Language-based disabilities are thought to affect up to twenty percent of our population. They can be challenging to identify in children and adults. As an educational therapist, I am trained to consider individual profiles to guide instruction.
“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” Ignacio Estrada
Instruction
My approach to reading and writing instruction is not just a product of years of research on the science of reading, but also a comprehensive Understanding of your child's cognitive, academic, and social-emotional profiles. This ensures that we promote their individual strengths. I am a strong advocate of structured literacy approaches such as Orton-Gillingham.
There is no quick fix to treating dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Most clients stay with me for two to three years, meeting twice weekly. This long-term commitment ensures that we can work together to achieve the best results. I work with students 8 years and older and adults who also have ADHD or are twice exceptional (2e).
In addition to instruction, my sessions are designed to foster not just academic skills, but also non-academic skills such as critical thinking, organization, attention, strategies to enhance working, and self-advocacy. I work on improving attention by using specific techniques and tools and teach self-advocacy by helping your student understand their learning style and needs. The ultimate goal is for each student to take ownership of their education, inspiring growth and development.
When situations allow, I prefer to work with clients in person. My clients live in Sacramento and South Placer counties. I can offer online sessions when meeting in person is not feasible.
There is no quick fix to treating dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Most clients stay with me for two to three years, meeting twice weekly. This long-term commitment ensures that we can work together to achieve the best results. I work with students 8 years and older and adults who also have ADHD or are twice exceptional (2e).
In addition to instruction, my sessions are designed to foster not just academic skills, but also non-academic skills such as critical thinking, organization, attention, strategies to enhance working, and self-advocacy. I work on improving attention by using specific techniques and tools and teach self-advocacy by helping your student understand their learning style and needs. The ultimate goal is for each student to take ownership of their education, inspiring growth and development.
When situations allow, I prefer to work with clients in person. My clients live in Sacramento and South Placer counties. I can offer online sessions when meeting in person is not feasible.
Assessments
There is a direct link between assessments and intervention; outcomes direct what instructional approach or classroom accommodations a person succeeds in learning. As a Board Certified Educational Therapist, I utilize a range of formal and informal educational assessments for ages four to adult. My direct experience working with children and adults with dyslexia provides expertise in evaluations or screenings for dyslexia: a less intrusive, economical way to identify dyslexia.
Emerging readers ages four to seven benefit from early identification. Children who test below average in phonemic awareness, rapid naming, and auditory memory skills are highly at risk for a reading disability. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that 95 percent of poor readers can be brought up to grade level if they receive practical help early. Early screening is intended for ages four to six years old or before the second semester of first grade.
Older readers ages seven to adult may find reading difficult to master or suddenly challenging to comprehend grade-level texts. Decoding takes too much effort, and they likely guess at unknown words. They can read the words; however, they cannot break apart the text for meaning. Inefficient readers need help to keep up with increasing academic demands. Identification followed by effective reading instruction can be life-changing!
Emerging readers ages four to seven benefit from early identification. Children who test below average in phonemic awareness, rapid naming, and auditory memory skills are highly at risk for a reading disability. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that 95 percent of poor readers can be brought up to grade level if they receive practical help early. Early screening is intended for ages four to six years old or before the second semester of first grade.
Older readers ages seven to adult may find reading difficult to master or suddenly challenging to comprehend grade-level texts. Decoding takes too much effort, and they likely guess at unknown words. They can read the words; however, they cannot break apart the text for meaning. Inefficient readers need help to keep up with increasing academic demands. Identification followed by effective reading instruction can be life-changing!
Consultations
An individual education plan (IEP) can be hard to interpret. I can offer consulting appointments to review IEPs and analyze school psychologist reports with your child's best interest in mind. For those seeking a new direction, I can provide homeschool advice to individual and family curricula or alternative academic choices.
I offer adults guidance in managing their dyslexia or need to remediate skills and address school and work challenges caused by dyslexia. For more information, please visit my webpage, Adult Consultation and Services, where you can find detailed information about the services I offer.
Adult services and IEP consultations can meet via Zoom.
I offer adults guidance in managing their dyslexia or need to remediate skills and address school and work challenges caused by dyslexia. For more information, please visit my webpage, Adult Consultation and Services, where you can find detailed information about the services I offer.
Adult services and IEP consultations can meet via Zoom.
“Life is full of challenges. How you handle these challenges is what builds character. Never be afraid to be who you are.”
– Erin Brockovich, activist and dyslexic
– Erin Brockovich, activist and dyslexic
