For Educators
We equip professionals to powerfully and effectively utilize the most current methods from reading science as they teach. We also provide a rich, guided practicum experience leading to two levels of national certification with the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA).
What is a Certified Academic Language Therapist?
CALT is a professional credential that designates an individual has acquired depth of knowledge in the brain science and neurological bases of reading as well as the ability to provide expert remediation in reading, writing and spelling. CALTs have deep understanding of the structure of English and have learned how to become therapeutic in the remediation of dyslexia and related learning differences. CALTs are expected to devote time each year to continuing education to maintain their credentials.
Therapy Level Standards require a CALT to:
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Hold a master’s degree
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Complete 200 course contact hours in a therapy-level training program
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Complete a minimum of 700 practicum teaching hours utilizing therapeutic methods with students
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Complete 10 demonstration lessons
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Successfully pass the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) Competency Exam.
What is ALTA?
Founded in 1986 with the singular mission of building a strong profession dedicated to the understanding and treatment of dyslexia, the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) is the professional organization that sets science and research-based practice standards for written language disorder intervention and certifies professionals to become nationally recognized Academic Language Therapists and Practitioners.
What is "Academic Language" and why is this termed "therapy"?
We may all be familiar with speech-language therapists and how they assist with the articulation of speech sounds.
Academic language refers to that used in educational settings. An academic language therapist supports those unable to efficiently and adeptly access and interact with written language, the language of academics. Despite average to superior intelligence, dyslexic people struggle to decode and spell words, read fluently, and write, which often prevents them from reaching their full potential in the school environment. This instruction is therapeutic in that it is diagnostic and prescriptive, specialized, intensive, and explicit vs. tutorial.
What curriculum is considered to provide therapeutic, specialized instruction for students with dyslexia?
We train teachers and parents in a curriculum designed at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children called Take Flight, a Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia.
