When reading starts to feel like a daily battle, both you and your child carry the stress. Maybe your child avoids books entirely. Maybe they complain of headaches during homework or feel embarrassed reading out loud in class. You’ve tried extra practice, school resources, and maybe even a local tutor, but progress is slow—or not showing up at all.

At Staten Island Speech & Counseling, we support struggling readers with more than just extra practice. Our reading instruction is structured, evidence-based, and designed to reach students who need direct, clear help in how reading works. Whether your child is just beginning to read or has been stuck for years, we meet them where they are and move forward with purpose.

We offer both in-person reading tutoring in Staten Island and remote sessions for families in person or virtual.

Early Struggles with Reading Don’t Fix Themselves

We often meet families after a teacher mentions, “reading below grade level” or says, “they need more time with books at home.” But you might have noticed the signs long before. You’ve watched your child guess at words, skip over pages, or get upset when asked to read—even though they seem smart in other areas.

Reading struggles can show up in different ways:

• Avoiding books or refusing to read aloud
• Frequent meltdowns during reading homework
• Mixing up letters, getting stuck on common words
• Reading too slowly to keep up with class assignments
• Spelling basic words wrong again and again
• Feeling anxious or sick when it’s time for schoolwork

Some children have a history of language delays. Others have no formal diagnosis yet, but reading feels harder than it should be. Whether your child is just learning or already behind, structured help can change what reading feels like—more like success and less like stress.

Structured Instruction with Orton-Gillingham Trained Clinicians

We base our reading instruction on proven methods that teach the “why” behind words and spelling. Every child receives lessons planned around their current skill level, not just their age or grade. That gives them the chance to strengthen whatever core skills are missing.

Our reading clinicians use Orton-Gillingham based strategies and draw from respected programs like Wilson and Fundations. These methods break reading into smaller parts and teach each part clearly, using all senses—saying, hearing, seeing, and writing.

Your child will work on:

• Letter-sound connections and phonemic awareness
• Decoding and blending sounds to form words
• Reading fluently without guessing or stopping
• Building vocabulary and understanding what they read
• Spelling and writing that matches what they learn

Reading growth takes structure, patience, and repetition. That’s why each session follows a clear and predictable format with plenty of chances to practice.

What a Reading Instruction Session Looks Like

Every session is planned to move your child forward without pressure or confusion. We change the pace and format based on your child’s needs, but all sessions include focused goals and hands-on learning.

A typical session may include:

• A quick warm-up using sound games or review drills
• Practice with phonics patterns or spelling rules
• Guided reading with carefully chosen books
• Time to write words and sentences connected to the lesson
• A short review and preview of the next focus

Younger students may use letter tiles, writing in sand, or story cards to keep learning active and fun. Older students may read longer texts and go deeper into meaning or writing. No matter the method, every part is taught clearly and with purpose.

Reading Instruction That Grows With Your Child

Struggles with reading don’t go away on their own. But with the right approach, your child can improve. We work with children across several stages:

Kindergarten and first graders who are still learning letter sounds
Elementary students who can’t read at grade level or show red flags
Older kids who read words but don’t read quickly or understand well

Reading challenges come in many forms, so we adjust lessons based on need. That might mean focusing on decoding, fluency, comprehension, or even connecting reading to writing.

Some common areas we strengthen include:

• Making sense of letter-sound rules
• Sounding out unfamiliar words with confidence
• Improving reading speed and accuracy
• Understanding main ideas and story events
• Spelling and written expression

Whether your child’s struggle is reading out loud or writing down a sentence, we look at how those skills connect—and we build both through lessons that make sense.

Clear and Consistent Communication With Parents

We believe parents are a big part of reading progress—and we’ll never leave you out of the loop. From the first session on, we stay in touch about what your child is working on and how you can support them at home.

Here’s how we keep you involved:

• We share simple progress updates after sessions
• We help you support reading at home with short, clear ideas
• We can review school testing or IEPs if you share them
• We’ll connect with classrooms or teachers, if requested, to align plans

You don’t need a teaching degree to help your child at home. You just need guidance, tools that work, and someone who listens to your concerns.

In-Person and Online Sessions

Our Staten Island location is easy to reach and set up for learning. Children work with real books and hands-on materials in rooms that are quiet, bright, and designed for learning. For parents who live nearby, in-person sessions give the full experience of face-to-face instruction and interactive tools.

Families outside Staten Island—or those who need flexible schedules—often choose online reading support. In teletherapy sessions, we guide students through the same methods using screen-sharing tools, virtual activities, and digital books. Many older students thrive with this option.

We can also build hybrid plans. Some families come into the office once a week and do one remote session on a second day. This is especially helpful during sports seasons, school breaks, or long trips.

FAQ: What Most Families Ask Us About Reading Help

What’s the difference between this and regular tutoring?

Regular tutoring may focus on today’s classroom assignment. Our approach targets the core reading skills your child struggles with. We teach them how sounds, letters, and word patterns actually work.

How often will we come?

Many kids attend once or twice per week. We look at focus levels, school needs, and family schedules to recommend a pace that supports steady growth.

Can this help if my child has dyslexia?

Yes. Structured, multisensory approaches like Orton-Gillingham are well matched to students with dyslexia or other reading-based learning differences.

Will my child get homework?

Sometimes. We may send quick reviews—like reading a few words or writing a short list. The goal is to keep skills sharp without causing stress.

When will we see growth?

Every child makes progress at their own pace. Usually, families notice changes in reading comfort, accuracy, and confidence after a few weeks. We adjust plans along the way to stay on track.

Take the First Step Toward Stronger Reading

You don’t have to feel stuck—and neither does your child. Reading doesn’t get better from more pushing or hoping. It gets better with clear, structured teaching that helps make sense of the reading process. Whether your child is just starting out or has been struggling for years, we can help.

Don’t wait while frustration grows. Let's talk today about how we can support your reader. Book your child's first session or start the process by reaching out to ask about reading instruction. We’re ready to help your child gain the tools they need to succeed—not someday, but starting now.