Why Your Speech Therapist is the Secret Weapon for Reading Success

Clinical Intervention in Action: Using evidence-based protocols to bridge the gap between spoken language and reading success.

Understanding the Role of SLPs in Dyslexia Intervention

When most people think of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), they picture a professional helping a child say their "Rs" or helping with a stutter. While we certainly do that, many parents are surprised to learn that SLPs are actually literacy experts.

In fact, at Copper Sky Center for Children, we view reading as a "language-based" skill. Because dyslexia is rooted in how the brain processes the sounds of language, there is no one better equipped to help a child navigate it than a speech and language specialist.

The Connection Between Speech and Reading

Dyslexia is not a visual problem (like seeing letters backward); it is a phonological problem. It's a difficulty in "decoding"—the ability to break a word down into its individual sounds and then map those sounds to letters.

Because SLPs spend years studying the science of phonology (sound systems) and morphology (word structures), we can identify the specific "glitches" in a child’s language processing that make reading so difficult.

Introducing the UFLI Foundations Program

To provide our families with the most effective intervention possible, we have integrated the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations program into our practice.

What is UFLI?

UFLI (pronounced "you-fly") is a research-based, systematic program developed by the top literacy researchers at the University of Florida. It is grounded in the Science of Reading, a gold-standard body of research that explains how the human brain actually learns to read.

Why We Chose UFLI for Our Center:

• Explicit and Systematic: It doesn't leave reading to "chance" or "guessing." It teaches every sound and letter pattern in a logical, step-by-step sequence.

• Research-Backed: Every lesson is designed around proven cognitive science, ensuring that we are using methods that actually build new neural pathways for reading.

• Success in the Clinic: We are seeing huge success with this program. By incorporating UFLI into our speech and language sessions, we aren't just helping children speak better—we are helping them unlock the world of print.

A Comprehensive Approach to Intervention

At Copper Sky Center for Children, we don’t believe in "one size fits all." By offering UFLI-based dyslexia treatment alongside traditional speech and language therapy, we provide a 360-degree approach to communication.

If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or writing, it may all stem from the same underlying language challenge. Our goal is to bridge that gap, giving your child the tools to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Is your child struggling with reading or speech?

We’d love to help you determine the best path forward. Contact Copper Sky Center for Children today to learn more about our dyslexia intervention and how our specialized UFLI-integrated services can help your child find their voice and their confidence. Click here to schedule a phone consult with our SLP, Tara Boyd.

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Written language disorders. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/written-language-disorders/

Catts, H. W., & Kamhi, A. G. (2017). Language and reading disabilities (4th ed.). Pearson.

University of Florida Literacy Institute. (2022). UFLI Foundations: An explicit and systematic phonics program. Education Outreach. https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/

Wanzek, J., Stevens, E. A., Williams, K. J., Scammacca, N., Vaughn, S., & Sargent, K. (2018). Reading interventions for students with reading disabilities: A synthesis of 100 years of research. Educational Psychology Review, 30(3), 957–1005.