From Tumbles to Triumph: Cassia’s Joyful Journey Through Dyslexia
I tutored a sweetie in my home one summer, and for the sake of her privacy, I’ll call her Cassia—because she was just a little bit spicy and one of the most energetic learners I’ve ever had the joy to teach. A gymnast through and through, she was physically strong, incredibly coordinated, and completely full of life. But behind all that bounce and brilliance, Cassia was struggling—especially with reading, writing, and spelling.
The Challenge: Dyslexia and Classroom Fatigue
Despite being well-liked by peers and teachers in her private school, Cassia was exhausted from constantly working harder than her classmates just to keep up. She had been diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD and was clearly exerting enormous effort just to stay on pace.
When she came to me for one-on-one tutoring during the summer, I quickly realized she couldn’t focus for more than about ten minutes at a time. So, I adapted. We moved. We laughed. We built our sessions around joy and success.
A Multisensory Approach to Reading Support
Cassia and I met twice a week for 45-minute sessions. In between, she and her dedicated mom worked on short, targeted assignments. Every lesson was built around movement and engagement.
We:
- Jumped on the trampoline while chanting letter sounds and combinations of letters with their sounds.
- Wrote letters on small chalkboards, whiteboards, and good old-fashioned paper.
- Traced letters in cinnamon and stevia on a paper plate—and she got to lick her finger after each repetition (yes, we made learning sweet).
- Practiced movement-based spelling and played games to reinforce letter patterns.
- Used vocabulary in sentence writing and reading.
- Integrated structured programs like Spelling Power and Spalding, while also customizing for words that had tripped her up the previous school year.
And each time she came, Cassia also wrote out a scripture verse. Some of those became homework too.
Teaching with Laughter and the “Mind’s Eye”
One of the most delightful things we did together was learning to “see with her mind’s eye.” Since dyslexia sometimes requires accessing different cognitive pathways, we played with creative strategies—like balancing stuffed animals on her head while reading aloud. She was “teaching the animal to read,” and I don’t think either of us will forget those moments of “crazy fun.”
The secret to Cassia’s success wasn’t just structured literacy. It was joy. Movement, laughter, focused instruction, and faith—these became the foundation of her growth.
From Behind to On Track
Cassia has now rejoined her classmates with no need for extra academic services. I rarely see her these days, but there’s a quiet, shared victory between us. She came from behind. She made it. And she did so with determination, her loving mother’s support, and—most importantly—Jesus.
Reflections on Personalized Tutoring for Dyslexia
Every student teaches us something. Cassia reminds me that dyslexia intervention doesn’t have to be inflexible. It can be joyful. Movement-based. Tactile. Sweet—literally and figuratively. And above all, it can be successful when wrapped in encouragement and prayer.
Cassia’s story demonstrates for us that children with learning differences don’t just need more work—they need the right kind of work: vigorous yet pleasant, personalized, brain-smart instruction rooted in relationship. If your child needs a more creative, individualized approach to learning—especially if you’re navigating dyslexia—I’d love to help you find your own version of success. Let’s build a plan that helps your child work with their brain and fall in love with learning again.
homeschoolspecialed.pm@gmail.com
971-515-9760
Also, I have Brain Based Bible verses (designed into therapy exercises) ready to write for students like Cassia available for digital download on this website. (add hyperlink to page)