Dyslexia Tutoring in Portland & Gresham, OR
Multisensory, structured-literacy instruction for students with dyslexia. Debbie Sexton, M.Ed., LETRS-trained reading specialist with 25+ years of experience.
What dyslexia tutoring looks like
Dyslexia is not a problem with intelligence — it’s a difference in how the brain processes written language. The reading methods that work for most students (sight words, contextual guessing, leveled readers) often don’t work for students with dyslexia. What does work is structured literacy: explicit, systematic, multisensory instruction in the sound-letter relationships that English is built on.
Debbie’s instruction is grounded in the methods recommended by the International Dyslexia Association and supported by decades of reading research. UFLI Foundations is one of her core frameworks. Sessions are hands-on and use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic channels together so the learning sticks.
Who this is for
- Students with a formal dyslexia diagnosis or 504/IEP for reading
- Students suspected of having dyslexia but not yet evaluated
- Students whose reading hasn’t responded to standard classroom phonics
- Adults returning to literacy support after a difficult school experience
What progress looks like
Real progress with dyslexia tutoring is measured in weeks-to-months, not days. A typical engagement starts with weekly 60-minute sessions, often increasing to twice-weekly during intensive phases. Most students show measurable gains in decoding accuracy within 6-10 weeks. Confidence usually shifts first — the moment a student stops dreading reading is the moment the work starts paying off.
FAQ
Does Debbie diagnose dyslexia?
No — formal dyslexia diagnosis comes from a licensed psychologist or specialized evaluator. Debbie provides instruction once the diagnosis or strong suspicion is in place.
Will the school’s reading intervention work better with private tutoring on top?
Usually yes. School services are often limited in minutes per week. Adding consistent 1-on-1 instruction with a specialist accelerates progress noticeably.
Do you work with adults?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Adult literacy support requires a different relational dynamic and Debbie evaluates fit during the consultation.
Book a Free Dyslexia Tutoring Consult
This work draws on my training as a LETRS-trained reading specialist, and for older students it pairs naturally with reading and writing support for K–12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you diagnose dyslexia?
I don’t provide formal diagnoses, but I use structured-literacy, multisensory methods proven to help dyslexic readers — and I can point you toward evaluation resources if you need them.
What methods do you use?
Evidence-based structured literacy from my LETRS and UFLI training: explicit, systematic phonics, decoding, and multisensory practice.
What ages do you work with?
K-12 students, in person around Portland and Gresham or online across Oregon.