Although we are trained tutors specializing in Dyslexia, a Dyslexia or Dysgraphia diagnosis is unnecessary to receive instructional support from Bound To Read.
We welcome all who struggle with reading or writing accurately and fluently. Our aim is to bring each student to grade-level over months of personalized and targeted tutoring.
We can also teach your student to print neatly or to write in cursive. The link between decoding and handwriting is proven to be an important part of learning to read.
How do I know if my child has Dyslexia or Dysgraphia?
There are many online tests or quizzes to help you decide if your child is Dyslexic. However, only a licensed Psychologist or Speech-Pathologist is able to make an official diagnosis of Dyslexia in Missouri.
In New York, a diagnosis must be made by a licensed neuropsychologist or psychologist.
In Kansas, a diagnosis of Dyslexia can be made by an educational psychologist, a speech pathologist,
If you believe your child to be Dyslexic, you only need an official diagnosis if you want your school to implement accommodations within the classroom throughout the school day.
If you just want your child to begin to read better and with more confidence, we are here to provide the multi-sensory, phonics-centered reading approach ALL children need to become excellent readers.
We require no diagnosis at any time; just an assessment that we will give to your student to see where intervention and instruction are best begun.
If you need a diagnosis, we can definitely put you in contact with those diagnosticians in the Kansas City area.
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia often go hand in hand.
Dyslexia can affect approximately 20% of the population in its mild form.
Dyslexia can also be severe, affecting approximately 7% of the population.
If your child is beyond 2nd grade and experiences any of these, please ask for help:
Difficulty spelling simple words.
Trouble learning the names of letters.
Problems telling apart letters with similar shapes, such as “d” and “b” or “p” and “q.”
Trouble rhyming.
Reluctance to read aloud in class.
Trouble sounding out new words.
Trouble associating sounds with letters or parts of words.
Trouble learning how sounds go together.
Mixing up the position of sounds in a word.
Dysgraphia is a learning difference that affects a person's ability to write.
5-20% of the population has some measure of Dysgraphia. Boys are more likely to experience Dysgraphia, which can manifest in various ways. Students with dysgraphia may struggle with taking notes in class, completing homework and long-term assignments, and performing well on traditional assessment measures.
Bound to Read can help students with dysgraphia by teaching them many strategies to get their ideas onto paper in an organized way; by teaching them proper posture and letter formation; and by teaching them to write in cursive.
For more about cursive writing and how it helps students read, go to our Why Cursive?" page
Early signs of dysgraphia include:
Cramped grip on writing utensil: "death grip" or "white knuckle writing"
Inconsistency in letter spacing, word spacing, size, and placement on page
Poor spelling
Unusual wrist, body, or paper position while writing
Poor handwriting that is difficult to read
Difficulty forming letters correctly
Slow writing speed
Fatigue while writing
Difficulty with spelling and grammar
Difficulty organizing thoughts and expressing them in writing
Dysgraphia is not related to intelligence or overall cognitive abilities. It is a neurological condition that can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds!