Dyslexia Support 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 has a background in education, she was exhibiting what we interpreted as "classic" symptoms of dyslexia. We raised our concerns on many occasions to her teachers and administrators over several years, only to be reassured that our worries were unfounded. Eventually, we reached a point where we could no longer ignore the signs. Feeling helpless, we sought support and guidance from our pediatrician, who believed our concerns were valid and provided a referral for dyslexia tutoring with Erin. During our first conversation with Erin, she offered more insight and information than we had received in the years leading up to that point. Fast forward to today, our daughter is in the final stages of the Barton program with Erin. It's impossible to describe the impact that this experience has had on her; she is a changed person. Not only has she developed the necessary skills to succeed, but she is also excelling in her classes thanks to the reading support she received. The confidence and self-worth that had been heartbreakingly eroded after years of struggling have not only rebounded but are now 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, struggled with writing, and often burst into tears when we discussed school or any aspect of learning. Now in fourth grade, Maddie has made incredible progress with the help of dyslexia tutoring, specifically through the Barton program, and has caught up to her classmates in reading and writing. She reads aloud without embarrassment or fear of asking for help, and often writes on her own—creating little lists that she tapes up around the house and even maintaining a diary. Erin has provided Maddie not only with the skills to decipher words and paragraphs in ways she understands but also with the confidence to tackle a paragraph or book head-on. The transformation from a child who constantly asked, “Why do I have to learn how to read?” to one who actively picks up books and magazines and writes paragraphs independently is a testament to her sessions with Erin, and the effective reading support she received.

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 provided me with hope and confidence that my skills would improve. I participated in dyslexia tutoring sessions with Mrs. Gilder two times a week during the school day and throughout the summer until I reached 6th grade. Using the Barton program, she taught me how to build words with tiles and how to decode words while reading. The way Mrs. Gilder taught was fun and interactive; I practiced writing on a whiteboard or in a sandbox. She instilled in me the confidence to read out loud. Some of the most valuable lessons she imparted were the skills to advocate for myself in school and the belief that I am a successful, smart student who is dyslexic. Now, as an eighth grader with straight A’s, I enjoy school and feel excited about my future. I truly believe I would not be the confident and successful student I am today without Mrs. Gilder’s guidance and support throughout the years.

I have had the pleasure of using Erin Gilder as a reading tutor who specializes in dyslexia tutoring, utilizing 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 fantastic resource to turn to when I first discovered my son was dyslexic. We began tutoring with her right away, starting the process of equipping him to learn reading in a way that made sense to him through the Barton program. She provided support, guidance, and became his biggest cheerleader as he worked through the program. He has now completed it and can read and spell much better than if he had continued to struggle with traditional learning methods. Erin also assisted him in learning how to use available tools like audio resources and speech-to-text, empowering him to reach his full potential.

Years later, my younger daughter, who is also a struggling reader, is currently receiving reading support from Erin. It is a blessing to have her learn the Barton method from the outset of her reading frustrations. By catching it early and providing her with tutoring, we are empowering her to keep up with her peers, which is helping her 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 incredibly thankful to have had the pleasure of knowing and working with her over the years.