Designs For Literacy

Opening Pages To Infinite Possibilities 

Provides

Academic Language Therapy

Multi-Sensory Orton Gillingham Based Structured Literacy Intervention Designed For Reading Success

SHARMIN ALLIBHOY

M.A.T., LDT, C-SLDS, CALT

Reading is a miraculous skill. It requires proficiency in many areas – phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, working memory, attention, logic, and critical thinking. Acquiring and using written language is difficult for many students such as those, with dyslexia and language-based learning challenges. Working with students in individualized settings, I became increasingly aware of the need for literacy training and evidence-based interventions for children with reading challenges. Designs for Literacy was born out of a desire to serve the ever-expanding population of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. I am the owner and founder of Designs For Literacy. I am a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) endorsed by the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT) specializing in the remediation of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities. I am certified by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (SLDS). I am also a Certified Lexercise Clinician specializing in Lexercise online reading, spelling and writing therapy. I hold a Masters of Arts (M.A.T.) degree from Dallas Baptist University with emphasis on Multi-sensory Teaching students with dyslexia and language-based disabilities.

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DESIGNS FOR LITERACY

“Designs For Literacy provides effective Virtual, Multisensory Structured Literacy one on one therapy in reading, spelling, handwriting and written expression to students with language processing difficulties, using an online platform.”

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Dyslexia Screener
Learning Disabilities Test

WHAT WE DO?

VIRTUAL ACADEMIC LANGUAGE THERAPY

Academic Language means that services offered to students are educational and emphasize the teaching of reading, spelling, handwriting, and written expression. Therapy indicates that those services are intensive and therapeutic.

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EVIDENCE-BASED INSTRUCTION

Structured Literacy Approach is an evidence-based intervention based on Orton-Gillingham methodology which was founded on years of research and data.  There is valid evidence to suggest that it delivers proven lasting results 

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MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH

Orton-Gillingham based Structured Literacy instructional delivery involves the use of all learning pathways in the brain (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile) simultaneously in order to enhance memory and learning of written language.

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CERTIFIED & TRAINED PROFESSIONALS

Academic Language Therapy is provided by Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) who have the specialized training needed to serve students with dyslexia and other disorders of written language.

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- Testimonials -

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia in early childhood, my son became frustrated with school. The situation was worsened by the CoVID lockdown. Even in this backdrop, I have seen the confidence rise in my son over the years. I credit the incredible change with Sharmin’s patience and exceptional ability to connect. My son feels ready for his school work, moreover he is assured that he can tackle the reading tasks at hand. Her teaching plan is transparent and, as parents, we’ve always felt involved. In fact, Sharmin has worked with my son’s teachers, integrating her sessions with his work day. Effectively teaching in a remote learning environment is a craft mastered by few, and Sharmin is certainly among the best. We feel blessed to have her.
–The Eustáquio Family–October 3, 2023
My 10 year old boy could simply not read or spell. He was diagnosed with dyslexia. After seeing my boy’s struggles’ only get worse the older he became we decided we needed something beyond what the school had to offer. I began researching different programs that would help with students that have dyslexia. For the past year and a half Sharmin has worked with my now 12 year old boy who has been diagnosed with dyslexia. When starting this program we were simply looking to improve my son’s reading and spelling skills. In the short span of 18 months not only has Sharmin surpassed what we were hoping for with reading but the skills she has taught them have led to improvement in other subjects. Sharmin has helped my son academically but more importantly she has given them lifelong skills that have ultimately given them the confidence to be successful going forward. There aren’t words to express how appreciative we are for the positive impact Sharmin has had on my son, we will be forever thankful.
–The Green Family–November, 25, 2022
My son was reading 5th grade level in 9th grade. After completing the program with Sharmin, his reading, spelling,and comprehension has improved considerably. My son, now 18, is completing high school and he is very confident to take the next step in his life and go off to college. This would have not been possible without the Sharmin. Not only is she an excellent dyslexia therapist but she has tons of resources which has given my son the support and the confidence in life. My son is truly grateful to her. Don’t hesitate to have your child work with her; she might change your child’s life just like she has changed my son’s.
–The Head Family–May 22, 2022
My son has always struggled with reading. He also struggled with nonsense words due to him memorizing sight words. With one-on-one instruction on where he needed to be, he learned the basics of reading through phonics that made sense to him. He improved 2 grade levels in the first 8 weeks and continued to grow. We are so thankful for the time Sharmin spent catering to his reading needs
–The Minor Family–November 12, 2021
Sharmin has been a godsend for our family! Our daughter has worked with numerous educators over the years for dyslexia, all of them very well qualified, but none have gotten her so far so quickly as Sharmin. She is finally reading with accuracy, fluency, and a greater confidence to explore books and other texts on her own. We were concerned that online dyslexia therapy might be more difficult/less successful, but it ended up being a seamless transition. Perhaps this was because Sharmin is so skilled at using a variety of tutoring interventions and online collaboration tools, or that she has such a warm and encouraging relationship with our daughter. Whatever the reason, she’s got the secret sauce and it’s working for us! We would recommend Sharmin to any family struggling with dyslexia – they would be lucky to have her in their corner.
—The Wasserman Family—April 26, 2021
When I asked my son what he likes about his dyslexia therapy lessons with Sharmin he said , “I like the way she explains things so I understand and then she lets me do it.” I have to say the progress of my son has made is remarkable. He has gone from having trouble connecting letters and sounds to having enough confidence and knowledge to read words he is not familiar with. Reading used to precipitate a melt down and now he tries to read things without prompting. It has been the best decision to work with Sharmi
–The Orr Family–April 19, 2021
Sharmin is an incredibly patient and engaging teacher. She has excellent teaching skills and she genuinely cares for her students. My 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia and has been working with Sharmin for the past 8 months. She is excited that she can now read chapter books and I see that her confidence in reading has soared. I can’t wait to see her future progress. I would highly recommend Sharmin to anyone who is looking for a dyslexia specialist. We couldn’t be more grateful to her for going over and beyond to help my daughter.
–The Elliott Family–December 8, 2020
I am so grateful to Sharmin for providing dyslexia therapy to my daughter. After working with Sharmin, my daughter has turned a corner. I am seeing something new and encouraging and I can’t wait to share it with you. She just read a 50 pg Dr Seuss book start to finish with NO help and even with inflection. That simply has NOT happened before. I was blown away and she was so so proud!!! Sharmin has made a marked difference in her reading and ultimately in her life.
—The Smith Family—June 19, 2020
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