Margie Thompson
Learning Specialist & Academic Tutor
Empowering children to reach their
true academic potential!
​Learn more today! Call 407-408-3132!
Email: margie.thompson@live.com
Reading Specialist Trained In Lindamood-Bell and Orton-Gillingham
With the support of a qualified learning specialist and reading tutor, your child can become the author of his or her own success story.
Margie utilizes the Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Programs® such as Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech® (LiPS)®; Seeing Stars Program for Reading Fluency and Spelling®; and Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking® (V/V)®*. These programs are designed with a special emphasis in developing visual memory, which in turn helps word recognition, spelling, visual memory, contextual fluency, and reading comprehension.
Another acclaimed attribute is that it provides students with a new tool for perceiving the identity, number, and order of sounds within words. Students are taught to rely on articulatory feedback, or the way sounds feel inside their mouths, in order to compensate for deficiencies in phonemic awareness – a precursor to reading.
Margie is an Orton-Gillingham trained therapist for dyslexia. The Orton-Gillingham Approach pioneered the multi-sensory approach to teaching which is considered the gold standard for teaching children with dyslexia and other reading deficits. This approach allows a student to use visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile modalities which enables the learner to rely on his or her strengths, but most importantly, strengthen his or her weaknesses.
Both the Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Programs®* and the Orton-Gillingham Approach are specifically designed to implement remedial reading instruction for students diagnosed with: Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), Language-Based Learning Disorders, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Visual Perceptual Deficits, Autism Spectrum, and general learning challenges. Both methodologies are designed to help bright students access their potential, while embracing their challenges.
Using one or a combination of these research and educationally-based programs, Margie is able to develop a customized plan of treatment to address your child’s specific areas of concern.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Specialists
Q: How can an Orlando area reading tutor help my child?
A: Each child is unique and with over 22 years of experience, Margie brings a skill set that can cater to every child and their needs. This includes creating lesson plans that adhere to your child’s strengths, in addition to other methods. This is unlike your neighborhood tutoring center, which tends to use pre-packaged lessons for their clients.
Q: What is a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and how do I know if my child has this?
A: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines “specific learning disability as: “a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations.” Although there is no one specific sign, there are clues. If a child has difficulty with any of the areas mentioned below, then the teacher and parents may want to investigate further.
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may have trouble learning the alphabet, rhyming words, or connecting letter to their sounds
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may confuse letters such as b/d or words with the same letters but in a different order, such as was/saw
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may have trouble with spelling
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may struggle expressing ideas verbally or in writing
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may not be able to retell a story in a sequential order
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may have difficulty with reading comprehension
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may have trouble understanding jokes or sarcasm
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may confuse math symbols and misread numbers such as 12 and 21
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may have difficulty following multi-step directions
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may have trouble with problem-solving
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poor grades despite putting forth a good effort
Q: What are Language-Based Learning Deficits? What is the process for determining this?
A: A language-based learning deficit refers to a spectrum of difficulties with age-appropriate skills such as listening, reading, spelling, oral communication, or written communication. A Speech-Language Pathologist will evaluate the child's speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.
Q: How can I tell if my child needs a learning specialist and reading tutor?
A: Determining if your child needs a reading tutor is something only you can decide. Here are some things to watch for:
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Your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, but their school does not offer the right amount of support needed for your child to succeed.
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Your child is receiving support from school but continues to struggle academically.
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Your child is exhibiting signs of low self-esteem because of their documented and undocumented learning differences.
Q: How much does a learning specialist and reading tutor in the Orlando area cost?
A: The price of a learning specialist and reading tutor can vary based on your child’s individual needs and the training and experience of the learning specialist.
Q: Shouldn’t my child’s reading problems be taken care of at their school?
A: In a perfect world, that would be ideal, and although many schools offer wonderful services for children who have reading problems, each child is different and deserves support that is unique to them.
Q: How long will my child need the assistance of a learning specialist and reading tutor?
A: As each child is unique, some things to consider are their age, the severity of their reading issues, how many times they will be seeing the learning specialist, the amount of effort made by your child, and the amount of support you will give your child. It is always important to discuss with your reading tutor to determine how your child’s progress will be measured.
Q: What is MSL (Multisensory Structured Language) intervention and how can it help my child?
A: MSL programs are structured, repetitive, and cumulative and have been proven to help children with dyslexia improve their reading and writing skills. These programs combine written words with the other senses. For example, concurrently seeing a letter, saying the letter’s sound out loud, and writing that letter in the air. These programs have their roots in the Orton-Gillingham system and are recommended by The International Dyslexia Association.
Q: What cities in Central Florida does learning specialist and reading tutor Margie Thomas offer her services?
A: Margie Thompson can provide services in-home or in your desired location throughout Central Florida in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola County. Other areas she offers her services include Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Maitland, Lake Mary, and other surrounding towns.
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*Margie Thompson is NOT Lindamood-Bell® Learning Processes nor is she affiliated with, certified, endorsed, licensed, monitored, or sponsored by Lindamood-Bell®, Nanci Bell, Phyllis Lindamood or Pat Lindamood. Lindamood-Bell® - an international organization creating and implementing unique instructional methods and programs for quality intervention to advance language and literacy skills - in no way endorses or monitors the services provided by Margie Thompson.