The Ripple Effect
Last week marked a significant milestone for our newest cohort of dyslexia therapy trainees as they completed the intensive three-week introductory summer course of our Dyslexia Therapist Training Program.
The celebration was a wonderful opportunity to recognize their hard work and commitment, but it also marked the beginning of an even more meaningful journey—one that will ultimately lead to their certification as Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs) and their ability to unlock the potential of countless students with dyslexia.
We celebrated their achievement with a graduation ceremony and luncheon at Maudie’s—complete with a photo op with Elvis!
The Journey Begins
This is the start of their two-year journey with us, and it’s a crucial first step. These dedicated educators have completed three intensive weeks of training—eight hours a day of structured, comprehensive instruction in the science of reading, structured literacy, and multimodal teaching techniques.
For our instructional team, these three weeks are equally demanding. We arrive at 7:15 a.m. and often don’t leave until 6:30 p.m. That’s 12-hour days for three weeks to ensure these educators receive the highest-quality training possible. It’s exhausting—but immensely rewarding.
What Makes CALT Training Unique
Many people ask why our training program is so rigorous. The answer lies in the standards set by the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA), the organization that certifies dyslexia therapists. As a trusted expert in the field, we maintain the highest standards. To become a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), candidates must complete:
Over 200 hours of instructional time with an accredited organization
700 hours of teaching time with students
10 demonstration lessons throughout the training period
This is therapy-level training—the highest level of certification available in the nation for working with students with dyslexia. Our program utilizes the Take Flight curriculum developed by Scottish Rite for Children, built on decades of research.
How DYSLEXIA CENTER Exponentially Impacts Children's Lives
Personally, this training is so meaningful to me because of the ripple effect it creates. When I provide dyslexia therapy to one student, my impact, while significant for that child, is relatively small in scale. However, when we train educators who each work with 15-25 students per year, the impact multiplies exponentially.
To date, the Dyslexia Center of Austin has trained over 200 Dyslexia Therapists/CALTs who are now serving students throughout Texas. Just imagine—that's thousands of children whose educational trajectories have been changed through evidence-based dyslexia intervention.
Each of these educators will be implementing what they've learned as they begin teaching their Take Flight groups this coming school year. They'll return for seminars in October, January, March, and April, and then for an advanced summer course next year. Throughout this journey, they'll be building their expertise while transforming the lives of children with dyslexia.
What’s Next for Our Trainees
Now that they’ve completed the introductory course, these educators are equipped to begin working with student groups. Each will teach at least three Take Flight groups over the next two years while continuing their professional development with us.
I couldn’t be prouder of this cohort, and I look forward to witnessing the profound difference they’ll make in the lives of children in Central Texas.
Kelly O'Mullan, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI
Executive Director