Parents
At Wilson, we understand the challenges of learning to read and write, especially for students who have a language-based learning disability.
Wilson’s programs feature research-based, systematic, and multisensory structured language curricula to help every student succeed. Students learn to read step-by-step, starting with the basic structure and rules of our language, then building to more advanced lessons over time. We have seen our programs transform students’ lives by giving them the tools to read and write, building confidence, and empowering them to achieve their dreams.
Each program is geared to support specific student needs:
- Fundations®: For grades K-3 general education students and struggling or at-risk readers in the lowest 30th percentile.
- Just Words®: For students in grades 4-12 and adults who are decoding and encoding below grade level.
- Wilson Reading System® (WRS): For students in grades 2-12 and adults who are not making sufficient progress in their current intervention or who may require more intensive instruction due to a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia.
What Program is the Best Fit for my Child?
The instructional principles that are the basis for all of Wilson’s programs help learners to gain literacy skills and provide a common framework for those who need further intervention to make progress.
For students in grades K-3
The Fundations curriculum provides multisensory lessons that benefit every student in the classroom, starting early to prevent reading and spelling failure. For students who struggle or are at-risk readers in the lowest 30th percentile, Fundations may also be implemented as an early intervention program with Fundations’ intervention activities supplementing the general classroom instruction.
At grade 2 or 3, some students may not make sufficient progress in early intervention or require more intensive instruction due to a language-based learning disability. In these instances, instruction with the more comprehensive Wilson Reading System by a WRS certified teacher would be appropriate.
For students in grades 4-12 and adults
Just Words is a word-level intervention program for students in grades 4-12 and adults who have mild to moderate gaps in their decoding and spelling proficiency. Just Words provides “just the word study” part of the WRS curriculum (phonemic awareness, word study/phonics, and spelling) at an accelerated pace.
The Wilson Reading System is designed for students who require more intensive instruction due to a language-based learning disability, as well as those who are not making sufficient progress in intervention. When implemented with fidelity, this comprehensive program provides multisensory, structured instruction in all five areas of reading (phonemic awareness, word structure/phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) plus spelling.
Finding a Qualified Wilson Teacher
We strongly recommend that students needing intense remediation with the Wilson Reading System receive instruction from a WRS Level I or Level II Certified teacher. In order to locate a WRS certified tutor in your area or to verify that a teacher or tutor is WRS certified, contact us or call 800.899.8454 for assistance. Our policy to provide a list of only WRS certified individuals who are currently credentialed as a Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner or Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist is our way of assuring the integrity of the program. Please explore this section to learn more about WRS instruction and the importance of certification.
How Can I Assist My Child?
Parental involvement in developing literacy skills is encouraged—and is even built into Fundations. Fundations Home Support Packs make it easy for teachers to send updates to parents about the concepts students are currently learning and activities that should be done with children to reinforce instruction. Home Support Packs are available for each Level of Fundations, with English and Spanish options to facilitate communication with diverse home environments.
For every child, home activities that foster development of vocabulary and comprehension skills are important. When parents read aloud to their children and have discussions about the meaning of the text, children are exposed to more advanced concepts, even though they may not yet be able to read the material themselves. Listening to audiobooks is another great way to build comprehension and support classroom learning.
Parents may want to explore the use of assistive technology. Assistive technology provides access to the student’s curriculum, which is essential to a student’s academic progress. Nanci Shepardson’s article, Assistive Technology: An Overview for Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities, provides helpful guidance on how to work with a school to determine and obtain appropriate tools.
Encouraging children to speak up, express themselves, and think critically develops oral and mental skills that can later be translated into writing and composition abilities. Creativity and achievements in other areas should also be celebrated. Students who are struggling with reading or have been diagnosed with dyslexia may develop self-image issues and stop exerting effort into trying to read, so parental support and advocacy are especially important.
Parents who homeschool or just want to gain a more in-depth understanding of any of our programs are welcome to register for our workshops and courses, offered throughout the country.
