Reading & Spelling Instruction
More than tutoring.
A place to start making progress.
For children and teens who struggle with reading, spelling, or both — and families who want to understand why, and what to do about it.
Why this is different
Instruction that starts with your child's profile
Most reading struggles aren't one thing. A child who can sound out words but can't spell is dealing with something different than a child who reads fluently but can't hold onto what they've read. Effective instruction depends on understanding the specific profile — which is why we start with an evaluation before we start teaching.
As a licensed speech-language pathologist with specialized training in literacy, Christine brings a language-based lens to reading and spelling that goes beyond what most tutors offer. Decoding, spelling, reading comprehension, narrative language — these are all deeply connected to how language works in the brain, and that's Christine's area of expertise.
What we address
Areas of focus
Decoding & word reading
Understanding the sound and spelling patterns that underlie accurate, fluent word reading.
Spelling
Building reliable spelling knowledge, not just memorization — including for students who've tried and struggled.
Reading comprehension
Supporting students who decode well but struggle to understand or retain what they read.
Narrative language
Strengthening the ability to understand and retell stories — a foundation for both reading and writing.
Early literacy
Letter names, letter sounds, and pre-reading foundations for pre-K and kindergarten students showing early signs of struggle.
Written expression
For students whose ideas outpace their ability to get them on paper — including strategies and tools to support organization and output.
Who this is for
This may be a good fit if…
- Your child has been struggling with reading or spelling despite effort and support
- Tutoring hasn't worked — or hasn't stuck — and you're not sure why
- Your child has a recent dyslexia or dysgraphia diagnosis and needs specialized instruction
- A psychologist or evaluator has recommended literacy intervention
- Your child is in pre-K or kindergarten and showing early signs of difficulty with letters or sounds
- Reading or spelling struggles are compounding anxiety, avoidance, or school stress
- Your child has ADHD and struggles with writing or reading demands
- You're not sure what's going on — you just know something isn't clicking
A note on ADHD & anxiety
For students with ADHD or anxiety, reading and spelling struggles rarely exist in isolation. Christine's approach accounts for attention, frustration tolerance, and motivation from the start — because instruction that doesn't account for the whole child often doesn't last.
The process
What to expect
Initial inquiry
Book a 15-minute introductory Zoom call to meet Christine and talk through your concerns. After booking, you'll receive a new client paperwork packet to complete at your own pace — including an opportunity to upload any recent reports.
Evaluation
Before instruction begins, Christine conducts a literacy evaluation to understand your child's specific profile of strengths and challenges. If your child has had recent testing, we'll review it together — the scope of any additional assessment depends on what's already been completed and what questions still need answering. We'll figure out what makes sense.
Individualized instruction
Instruction is tailored to your child's profile and adjusted as they grow. Sessions are 45 minutes and held in person at Christine's SW Portland office — telehealth is available when needed.
Ongoing communication
Christine stays in close contact with families and, with permission, coordinates with other providers and school teams to make sure everyone is working from the same page.
Session fees
$135 per 45-minute session
Reading and spelling instruction is a private pay service. Depending on the nature of your child's needs and whether a qualifying diagnosis is present, a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement may be available — please ask about this during your initial inquiry. Evaluation fees are discussed at intake.
Reading and spelling instruction is provided by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and reflects Christine's professional training and scope of practice.
Ready to connect?
Let's talk about what your child needs
Book a 15-minute complimentary meet and greet with Christine on Zoom.