Literacy Expanded

We know that the nervous system responds when it feels threatened.

Many struggling readers are forced to sit in classrooms everyday where they are not supported.

This is stressful and threatening

This is Educational Trauma

Until we focus on connecting the Science of Reading to a Trauma Informed approach, we will not be supporting kids in the most beneficial way.

The Literacy Expanded Way focuses on trauma informed approach to the science of reading which benefits ALL kids.

Struggling readers have been traumatized! In order to support them, we cannot ignore the trauma.

As a parent of dyslexic kids and an OG tutor, I am on many groups on Facebook where parents are asking for help with their kids. I’ve been there! It’s hard to know what will work when there are so many options and voices sharing their experiences.

However, one thing is common…kids who are struggling in school are exhibiting trauma responses. Parents are upset and no longer want to fight with their kids over homework, reading, spelling…you name it. In these posts, everyone is looking for an app, a curriculum, a workbook that will help their kids grow.

They are asking for the wrong thing! Kids who are traumatized by homework, reading, spelling etc. do not feel safe when presented with those tasks. Their mind and body are reacting to the trauma trigger.

✅✅I am working on a parent course that will help you support your child. Comment below or DM below to get on the waitlist!

✅✅If you want support immediately, we have open spots for tutoring and a NEW client MBSR session special. Click the link in our profile to get connected.

When children are traumatized, their brain changes.

In the book, The Body Keeps Score, Bessel van set Kolk explains the changes in the brain that happen when people are traumatized. We often see this expressed in fight, flight, freeze or fawn.

1. Threat perception is heightened and individuals are more primed to be triggered

2. The filtering system is disrupted, making it harder to focus and engage

3. The self-sensing system changes the way the person feels about themselves.

Now, connect these changes in the brain and responses to a struggling reader in a system that is not set up to fully support him or her.

In all of my years coaching teachers, teaching students, and parenting two dyslexic children. I have continued to see children traumatized by teachers who are not given the tools to support struggling readers. This leads to educational trauma.

We need to shift the focus- not only do we need to be teaching children foundations backed in the science of reading. We need to also provide educators with trauma informed strategies so that they can identify the triggers, the responses and be able to connect and support our most fragile kids.

Mind, Body, Spirit Release™️ can change the life of a child who is struggling.

This child came to Literacy Expanded back in September. He was avoiding school, closed off in his room, and angry.

After 6 sessions, his mom shared that he is just so much happier and lighter. He has been cracking jokes, hanging out with the family, and has been happier all around. Even his therapist has seen a shift in him over these last 6 months.

If you have been interested in MBSR™️, now is the time to book a session. I’m offering 2 sessions for the price of 1 to new clients

Sign up on our website under the MBSR™️ tab.

✅We make sure to support the whole child at Literacy Expanded.

In my years as a literacy coach, I’d often observe teachers who were asked by their leadership to have fidelity to the curriculum.

They were told that they would have to be on a certain page by a certain date or that they needed to facilitate the lesson as scripted.

When this happens, our focus can move away from scaffolding for the needs of the child. This can traumatize children. They will react with flight, flight, freeze, or fawn behaviors which will prevent growth and learning.

🍏At Literacy Expanded, we focus on data driven instruction around literacy and social emotional skills. If a child is triggered by a part of the lesson, we use a trauma informed approach to our Orton-Gillingham lessons to ensure success.

If you want us to support your child, reach out today!

Training our teachers should be the top priority!

There are so many schools taking the first step and getting curriculums aligned to the science of reading, but they are NOT prioritizing teacher training!

If a teacher is not trained to understand the body of research behind the science of reading and not supported through coaching, they will struggle to understand the curriculum and they won’t be able to plan appropriate instruction…and kids will fail.

It is just as important to know your students and their data as it is to understand the science of reading in order to create lessons with the curriculum as a guide.

Asking for fidelity without philosophy and research will lead to frustrated teachers and confused kids.

MBSR™️ removes the traumatic imprints on a child’s system and supports them in being able to cope with challenges.

After 5 months (4 MBSR sessions), a parent shared that her child was able to pause and reflect on a challenging situation with laughter rather than freezing and melting down.

With the work of MBSR, we see the trauma triggers dissipate and small shifts in behavior that show their healing.

At Literacy Expanded, we build your child’s confidence through our connected Orton-Gillingham approach. We are also able to support them with MBSR sessions.

Reach out today to get matched with a tutor or sign up for an MBSR session.

Educational Trauma occurs when children are forced to learn in a system that continues to highlight their deficits as the only way to be valued or successful.

Many children come to us that are exhibiting fight, flight, freeze, or fawn behaviors when given a reading or spelling task because they were never given the appropriate supports.

We meet our students where they are, and build confidence through a connected OG approach.

We see great results because we build safe environments that empower children.

Schools might not be telling you the truth!

I’ve heard so many people say “I’ve been told that my child doesn’t qualify for an IEP because they have a high vocabulary, or high grades, or scores high on one reading assessment”.

Many dyslexic kids have strengths that they use to compensate for their struggles. This doesn’t mean that they cannot qualify for an IEP.

To qualify or not qualify for an IEP, the school must do a comprehensive evaluation. If they tell you that your child does not qualify due to one assessment, they are not telling you the truth.

Let them know in writing that your child is struggling and that you would like them to do a comprehensive evaluation to see if they qualify for an IEP.

In the last few weeks I have supported several tweens with MBSR™️

At this age, many kids can be struggling with emotions & limiting beliefs that they cannot really articulate. This is why MBSR™️ might be a better option over talk therapy.

MBSR™️is able to energetically identify and clear these barriers to provide children with a more optimistic outlook and an overall feeling of relief from what has been burdening them.

Here are a few things that came up in my sessions last week that were cleared.

1. Block to Flexibility & Perfectionism

2. Block to Focus & Cluttered

3. Block to Support & Anxiety

If your child is struggling with any of these, Mind, Body, Spirit Release™️ can help.

Click the link in our bio to schedule a session.

It’s
✔️1 in 5 kids are dyslexic
✔️the majority of teachers don’t know how to identify it.

The challenge for most kids with dyslexia comes when they go to school. They have to go to a place every day where they are expected to perform in an environment that highlights their deficits. This can be very traumatizing.

Children with dyslexia struggle with reading and spelling.
They also struggle with working memory, processing speed, rapid naming, writing, memorizing math facts, and executive functioning.

Awareness and support can change the life trajectory of a dyslexic child!