Testimonials

Quite simply put, meeting and working with Erin has changed our lives.  As parents, we had suspicions from early on that our daughter may have dyslexia.  Although neither of us have a background in education, she was exhibiting what we interpreted as "classic" symptoms.  We brought up our concerns on many separate occasions to both her teachers, and administrators over the span of several years, only to be reassured that our concerns were unfounded.  A point was finally reached that we were all unable to ignore the signs any longer.  Feeling helpless, we reached out to our pediatrician for support and guidance.  She believed that our concerns held merit, and provided a referral for Erin. During the course of our very first conversation with Erin, she provided more insight and information than we had received in the years leading to that point.  Fast forward to today, our daughter is in the final stages with Erin and the Barton Program.  It's impossible to describe the impact that this experience had on her, she is a changed person.  She not only has developed the necessary skills to succeed, but is actually excelling in her classes currently.  A confidence and self worth that had been heartbreakingly eroded after years of struggling has not only rebounded, but is thriving. Working with Erin has undoubtedly changed the course of her future, and now that future is very BRIGHT!

Erin Gilder began working with my daughter, Maddie, after she was diagnosed with moderate to severe dyslexia right before second grade.  At that time, Maddie refused to read anything, had a difficult time writing and often was in tears if we discussed school or anything related to learning. Maddie is now in fourth grade and has caught up to her classmates with reading and writing.  She reads out loud (with no embarrassment or fear of asking for help) and often writes on her own—little lists that she tapes up around the house and even has a diary.  Erin has not only given Maddie the skills to decipher words and paragraphs in ways that she can understand, but also the confidence to approach a paragraph or book head on.  The fact that Maddie went from being a kid who constantly asked, “Why do I have to learn how to read?” to one that will pick up books and magazines and write paragraphs, all on her own, is because of her sessions with Erin.  

My journey with dyslexia was greatly shaped by Mrs. Gilder.  I knew I struggled with reading and writing but when I met Mrs. Gilder the summer after 1st grade, she gave me hope and confidence that this would improve. I worked with Mrs. Gilder two times a week during the school day and during the summer until I was in 6th grade.  With the Barton program, she taught me how to build words using tiles and how to decode words when reading.  The way Mrs. Gilder taught me was fun and interactive. I would practice writing on a white board or in a sandbox.  She gave me confidence to read out loud. Some of the most important things she taught me are skills to advocate for myself in school and that I am a successful smart student who is dyslexic. I am currently an eighth grader with straight A’s who enjoys school and is excited about my future.  I would not be a confident and successful student without Mrs. Gilder’s guidance and support throughout the years.  

I have had the pleasure of using Erin Gilder as a reading tutor using the Barton Reading & Spelling System for two of my children over many years. At the time, our kids attended the same school and thankfully our paths crossed. She was a great resource to turn to when I first discovered my son was Dyslexic. We began tutoring right away with her and started the process of giving him the ability to learn reading in a way that made sense to him. She was there offering support, guidance and being his biggest cheerleader over the years as he worked through the program. He has now completed the program and is able to read and spell much better than if he had stayed struggling, trying to learn the traditional way commonly taught. Erin also helped him learn how to use the tools available to him (audio resources, speech to text, etc.) allowing him to be able to be the best he can be.  

Years later, my younger daughter is a struggling reader and is currently working with Erin. It is a blessing to be able to have her learn the Barton method with Erin from the beginning of her frustration with reading. Catching it early and supporting her with tutoring has been empowering her to be able to keep up with her peers and helping in all areas of her life. 

Erin is professional, knowledgeable and kind. My kids have always looked forward to their sessions with her. We are so thankful to have the pleasure of knowing and working with her over the years.