The Literacy & Learning Studio LLC

09/16/2026

“It is not surprising that handwriting practice would improve handwriting itself—what is critical is that it has been argued that the benefits of handwriting extend to other skills, such as letter recognition, categorization, and retention (Bhide, 2018; Li & James, 2016; Longcamp et al., 2005, 2006, 2008; Naka, 1998; Zemlock et al., 2018).

Shared from The Reading League PA
Open source!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8641140/

✍️📝✏️📓

08/15/2026

I am working towards that Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) credential! 📚

What is ALTA?

The Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) is an international professional and credentialing association for individuals trained in academic language therapy.

ALTA establishes and maintains rigorous professional standards for certification and supports credentialed professionals through continuing education, advocacy, professional resources, and a national community committed to improving outcomes for individuals with dyslexia and related written-language disorders.

ALTA-certified professionals specialize in providing explicit, systematic, evidence-based dyslexia therapy and intervention. Their work addresses the language and literacy needs associated with dyslexia and related written-language disorders by integrating the components of oral and written language, including phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, semantics, reading, spelling, and written expression.

Through certification, professional education, advocacy, and a national community of credentialed professionals, ALTA advances the field of academic language therapy and supports professionals who transform lives through effective dyslexia therapy and intervention.

Learn more about ALTA, its professional credentials, and ALTA-certified professionals at altaread.org

08/14/2026

Getting ready for my Dyslexia Therapy Groups on Monday!! Our first lesson will include how our brains learn to read and how we will be rewiring our brains!!

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**FREE activity links in comment section!

08/09/2026

These four books underscore a single truth: effective special education depends on the alignment of eligibility, teacher preparation, and evidence-based pedagogy.

Eligibility matters because it activates federal protections.

When a student with dyslexia is found eligible under IDEA and the IEP team determines that individualized reading instruction is required, that instruction is not optional or supplemental. It is specially designed instruction and must be documented in the student’s IEP as part of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

IDEA defines specially designed instruction as adapting the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address a student’s unique disability-related needs. This places instructional design, evidence-based pedagogy, and teacher expertise at the center—not merely placement and accommodations.

Structured Literacy and Orton–Gillingham–based approaches may also be used in general education and intervention settings. However, when an eligible student requires individualized reading instruction to receive FAPE, a generic program or brief professional development cannot replace the specially designed instruction determined necessary by the IEP team.

Effective implementation requires deep knowledge of language structure, supervised clinical practice, and demonstrated instructional expertise. Administrators and school boards must understand the difference between introductory training and professional-level preparation—and recognize educators who have completed rigorous coursework, clinical hours, and credentials such as CALT.

Eligibility matters.
Teacher preparation matters.
Evidence-based pedagogy matters.
Qualified teachers matter.

Every eligible student deserves the individualized instruction promised in the IEP—delivered by an educator with the knowledge and preparation to teach it effectively.

IDEA regulation: 34 C.F.R. § 300.39
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.39

08/07/2026

✏️📚 Heading to the post office to ship out my students’ kits! So excited for this new journey with them this year!

Each binder is packed with handwriting practice, readers, reading practice, spelling practice, grammar pages, and anchor charts - plus a pencil pouch with everything they need: pencil, highlighter, chalk, crayons, and a mirror for our multisensory work!

🧠📖🖍️📝✍️📚🧠📖🖍️📝✍️📚

07/31/2026

🎉 Big news! The Literacy & Learning Studio is now an approved service provider with the Arkansas Department of Education for the EFA (Education Freedom Account) program! 📚✨

I provide structured literacy - dyslexia therapy virtually, so Arkansas families using EFA funds can now use them toward sessions with me, no matter where in the state you are located!

If you are an Arkansas family exploring your EFA options, I would love to talk with you about how virtual structured literacy support could work for your student. Send me a message to learn more! 📚✏️📚✏️

07/26/2026

07/20/2026

📚 Now Enrolling: Afterschool Dyslexia Therapy Group! ~ ONLY 2 Spots left!!

Does your child struggle with reading?
Do they have difficulty sounding out words, spelling, reading fluently, or become frustrated when it's time to read?

I am now enrolling students for a Dyslexia Therapy small-group for $250/mo. plus a one time $30 material fee.

Who: Students entering 2nd–5th grade
Small group: Maximum of 4 students

Instruction will focus on:
📖 Structured literacy
✏️ Spelling
✍️ Handwriting
📚 Reading fluency
💬 Vocabulary
🧠 Reading comprehension

Basic Language Skills is an intensive, evidence-based dyslexia intervention that requires a strong commitment from families.

🗓️ Monday–Thursday
🕓 4:15–5:15 PM
📅 Beginning Monday, August 17, 2026
📍Bowling Green, KY ~ Plano Area


This program is ideal for students who:
✅ Struggle with reading, spelling, or writing
✅ Have dyslexia or show signs of dyslexia
✅ Need explicit, systematic, structured literacy instruction

Students will receive:
📚 Evidence-based Basic Language Skills
👥 Small-group dyslexia therapy (4 max.)
💲 $250/mo tuition rate

About me: former homeschool mama, I have provided literacy intervention for 12 years and hold a B.S. in Child & Family Services-Child Development. I am a Certified Dyslexia Therapist through The Apple Group, a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Candidate, and have completed Multisensory Math 1 training with Marilyn Zecher. I am currently pursuing my M.Ed in Dyslexia Therapy and Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) credential.

If you would like to learn more or see if this group would be a good fit for your child, I would love to talk with you!

Alicia Marcum
The Literacy & Learning Studio LLC
[email protected]
(270) 791-9947

07/09/2026

Do you have concerns about your child’s reading? Maybe they struggle with sounding out words, spelling, reading fluently, or seem frustrated when reading.

I'm looking for 1–4 students (2nd grade and up) to join a small, structured reading and spelling group beginning August 3, 2026.

~ Monday–Thursday | 9:00–10:00 AM
Ideal for homeschoolers
~ In-person in Bowling Green, KY - if virtual is needed we can discuss options for that as well.

This group is part of my clinical hours toward a Master's in Dyslexia Therapy and Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) certification.

This program is ideal for students who:
• Struggle with reading, spelling, or writing
• Have dyslexia or show signs of dyslexia
• Need explicit, individualized reading instruction

Students will receive:
• Evidence-based curriculum using the Basic Language Skills
• Small-group instruction (max of 4)
• Reduced tuition rate

Families who are seriously considering enrollment may schedule a FREE dyslexia screener by July 31st to help determine if this program is the right fit for their child.

A little about me: I have provided literacy intervention for the past 12 years, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Child & Family Services - Child Development, I am a Certified Dyslexia Therapist through The Apple Group, and a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist - Candidate.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to discuss whether your child is a good fit for the group, I would love to talk with you!

Alicia Marcum
The Literacy & Learning Studio LLC
(270) 791-9947

07/01/2026

UPDATE: All spots are full!

Thank you to everyone that shared! If you have concerns about your child please reach out. I’m always happy to try to work you in.

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📚 Free Dyslexia Screenings Next Week 📚

Do you have concerns about your child’s reading? Maybe they struggle with sounding out words, spelling, reading fluently, or seem frustrated when reading.

I will be offering free dyslexia screenings next week for families who would like to learn more about their child’s reading skills.

Please keep in mind that a screening is not a diagnosis of dyslexia. It is simply a brief screening that can help identify possible areas of weakness and determine whether additional support may be helpful.

After the screening, I will be happy to talk with you about any concerns and answer any questions you may have about your child’s reading development.

Early intervention can make such a difference. The sooner reading difficulties are identified, the sooner children can get the help they need to build skills, confidence, and success.

A formal dyslexia diagnosis is not needed to benefit from dyslexia therapy or structured literacy intervention. These approaches can help children who struggle with reading, spelling, phonics, and fluency.

If you have been wondering whether your child may need extra support, this would be a great opportunity to learn more.

To schedule a free screening, contact me:

📞 (270) 791-9947
📧 [email protected]
📱 Message me here