1. Our reading program addresses a level before phonics. The multisensory approach we use helps students connect what their eyes see, their ears hear, and their mouths feel when they read or say sounds. All of this feedback helps students avoid or identify decoding and encoding errors. This method changes the pathways in the brain and enables students to self-correct. Our diagnostic testing helps us identify the severity of a student’s weaknesses and pace the treatment according to his or her individual needs. Students are not put into groups, as in some tutoring programs, but are always worked with one-on-one.
2. Following our thorough diagnostic testing, we discover that some students, regardless of decoding ability, are unable to understand what they read. We have a program that teaches students to make pictures in their minds as they read or listen to language. Other tutoring programs often assume that if you can read, you can comprehend. We see students who read very well, but have very weak understanding of what they read. Teaching students to use imagery helps them improve their comprehension and vocabulary. Our treatment addresses individual needs rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all type of approach.
3.   

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   Students have to attend daily, Monday through Friday.  In order to change the pathways in the brain, consistent and consecutive instruction is most beneficial. Our goal is to empower students to read, spell, and comprehend grade appropriate material on their own. Daily instruction allows students to experience long-lasting success.  Without this daily repetition and practice, students would be less likely to remember and apply their new skills and would experience significantly slower progress through the programs of instruction.
2.  

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   No. Once a time has been reserved for you, that is your time every day. This allows us to keep the student with the same clinician every day. We believe it is very important for students to build a strong and trusting relationship with their instructor.
2.  

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   On average, students attend for six to eight months at one hour per day, Monday through Friday.  We see students ranging in age from five to adult with various degrees of difficulties.  Therefore, some students may attend for two to three months for enhancement of their skills, while others with more severe needs may attend for a year or more. We will provide an estimated time of treatment following the diagnostic testing.
2.  

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   When appropriate and necessary, we can see students for two to four hours per day. Daily instruction is still mandatory. Many of our adult students and home-schooled students attend for several hours per day. Clients from outside the Portland/Vancouver area also tend to prefer intensive instruction.  Most students who are attending during the summer also prefer to come for more than one hour per day, thus allowing them to finish their time estimate more quickly.  If students are fairly young and are in school, we may recommend they attend for only one hour per day to avoid excessive tiredness or feelings of being overwhelmed.  
2.  

1. We offer diagnostic testing and treatment for students ages five to adult.  
2.  

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   We are closed for most federal holidays. Otherwise, we are open year-round from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We do not close for inservice days or school holidays (spring break, winter break, summer, etc.).
2.  

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   Yes. Consistent attendance is very important, but brief vacations during the course of treatment are not a problem. In most cases, we strongly recommend that the first two to three months of treatment are uninterrupted.  If you take a full week vacation (Monday through Friday) after giving us at least two weeks’ notice, your account will be credited for that week.  Otherwise, clients do not receive credit for missed sessions.  If Northwest Reading Clinic must cancel a session, you will receive credit.
2.  

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   We cannot give guarantees, but we can predict with reliability if the programs we offer are appropriate for the student's needs. Many of our students have tried other methods with varying degrees of success. We understand your need for assurances. We have a list of references if you are interested in calling some of our former clients. We expect to see noticeable changes in our students' performance after three months of daily instruction. We will be the first to tell you if we have any concerns, and we are available to you by phone or in person should you have concerns at any time.
2. Please see our Research page for more information about the average gains made by our students.
3.  

1. Currently, our rate for instruction at one hour per day is $800.00 per month. That works out to an average of $40 per hour.  This includes daily one-on-one, hour-long sessions with trained clinicians working on a treatment plan individualized for the student.
2.  

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   We do have payment plans and a scholarship fund available for treatment. We would be glad to discuss these options with you in greater detail over the phone. We strongly recommend that our testing be administered prior to making extensive financial plans. Once the length of treatment time is determined, you can better measure the financial impact.
2.  

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   Every instructor receives extensive training prior to working with students. The average length of training is six weeks. Once our clinicians are trained, they continue to receive guidance and instruction from their supervisors. Clinicians begin teaching students under the direct supervision of an experienced clinician or supervisor. Supervisors consult regularly with every student to ensure that treatment is progressing as it should be.
2.  

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   We would be glad to discuss our programs with school staff and administration, pending consent from the guardian. We also welcome parents and teachers to observe clinical sessions at Northwest Reading Clinic. We do appreciate notice prior to observations.
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