Building Blocks for Reading Success

We are thrilled to announce that we are offering reading intervention services! Some of our therapists have developed a strong passion for supporting children with reading challenges, and we are excited to bring these services to our community.

Could Your Child Benefit from Reading Services?

If your child experiences any of the following difficulties, they may benefit from targeted reading intervention:

• Struggling to learn letters and numbers

• Difficulty reading sight words

• Reversing letters and numbers when reading or writing

• Trouble with organization

• Reading slowly or choppily

• Difficulty reading fluently

• Messy handwriting

These are just a few common signs of dyslexia, though many other indicators exist. If you’d like to learn more, excellent resources include the Michigan Dyslexia Institute and the International Dyslexia Association, both of which provide valuable information on dyslexia advocacy and support.

What Does Dyslexia Intervention Look Like?

Our dyslexia intervention sessions are held 1-2 times per week and last 45 minutes to one hour. Sessions can be conducted in person or online with one of our therapists. We currently use the Barton System for Reading and Spelling, a research-based program designed to support readers.

What to Expect in a Session

Each session follows a structured, multisensory approach, ensuring that children engage with reading in a way that makes learning easier and more effective. Sessions include:

• Warm-up & Review – Phonemic awareness activities and reinforcement of previously learned concepts

• New Concept Introduction – Learning and practicing a new reading rule or pattern

• Multisensory Practice – Engaging in hands-on, interactive activities to reinforce learning

• Reading & Spelling Practice – Applying new skills to reading and writing exercises

• Wrap-Up & Homework – Reviewing key concepts and assigning practice for the week

At Building Blocks, our intervention approach is personalized, systematic, and multisensory, providing 1:1 instruction tailored to each child’s strengths and areas of difficulty.

We look forward to supporting your child’s reading journey! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services, feel free to reach out.

Photo courtesy of Canva

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What to Expect During a Speech, Language, or Myofunctional Evaluation

Your pediatrician just recommended a speech, language, or myofunctional evaluation, and you might be wondering what that means. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. This guide will walk you through the evaluation process so you and your child can feel prepared and confident for the appointment.

Speech Evaluation

A speech evaluation assesses speech sound development and clarity. This type of evaluation helps identify any omitted, distorted or substituted sounds and guides the next steps for speech sound development. The therapist may:

• Use a picture book and ask the child to name objects to evaluate their pronunciation

• Observe your child’s speech during play to assess overall intelligibility (how well they are understood by an unfamiliar listener)

• Examine your child’s oral structure to check for any physical differences affecting speech sound production
  

Language Evaluation

A language evaluation looks at how your child understands and uses language. This evaluation will help determine if your child is meeting age-appropriate language expectations and if support is needed. The therapist will:

• Use a picture book and ask the child to name objects, finish sentences, etc to evaluate their expressive language (how they communicate), receptive language (how they understand) and/or pragmatic language (social communication skills.

• Use play-based activities to informally assess communication skills and developmental milestones
  
  

Myofunctional Evaluation

A myofunctional evaluation focuses on the muscles and function of the mouth, tongue, and face. This evaluation is important for children with a tongue thrust, mouth breathing and/or difficulty with oral functions. The therapist will:

Use tools and food to assess chewing, swallowing and oral posture

Observe how the tongue and lips move with exercises like puckering and lifting the tongue

Identify any orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD’s) that may impact speech, breathing or swallowing.
This evaluation is important for children with tongue thrust, mouth breathing, or difficulty with oral functions.

Final Thoughts

Each evaluation is designed to support your child’s unique needs in a comfortable and engaging way. Knowing what to expect can make the process easier for both you and your child. If you would like a video tour of our office, click on the link provided below and scroll to the bottom of the page!

Building Blocks Therapy Services