Getting Started

There are three easy steps:

• A consult, most often by phone, to be sure we can help.

• We develop a customized Plan for Achievement to meet your child's unique needs and goals.

• Gemm gets you started by helping you install the software and setting up reporting and student motivation tools.

Here are the steps in more detail.

Step #1. Phone Consult

Our primary program, Fast ForWord, works at a fundamental level and therefore is able to help a wide range of learning and reading issues, but it is not appropriate in every case. And so our starting point is a consult, most of often by phone, where we are most often able to ascertain whether we can help with 10-15 minutes of questions.

If we cannot help, we will do our best to make a recommendation for you. If we believe we can help, no further consultation is required. The first session with us will be an assessment, a baseline that we will use later on for placement purposes. Furthermore, our program is adaptive and diagnostic, meaning that as it finds your child's level it will also tell us most of what we need know about your child's cognitive skills in the first few sessions.

To make a phone consult more productive please send us a confidential screening to help us understand your needs ahead of time.
Click screening test here

Step #2. Customized Plan

Your Gemm consultant and your Program Director -- the Gemm professional who will provide direction, oversight and all the support you need during your stay with us -- will collaborate at the outset to develop a 4-6 month plan, depending on your goals. This is a tentative plan that is subject to change as we move along. We will send you this Gemm Plan for Achievement, with updates at each milestone.

Students typically follow a Reading or Learning track, possibly with a math fact or other component as warranted.
Learn More About Program Choices

As part of the set up phase you need to choose a service option. We have a range of options to meet your family's financial and service need. Everyone has a two-week test-drive period within which they can cancel for no cost beyond a modest handling fee.
Learn More About Service and Payment Options

Step #3. Our Strong Start

Fast ForWord can be a challenging program technology-wise, and we understand that not everybody is tech savvy. Our high-touch approach takes the need for computer knowledge out of the equation. We do everything for you.

We send a software download link. We will then do a remote setup for you on your computer. At that time we will also provide a personal tour of the program, supported by number of demo videos you can watch later if the need arises.

We will also send all the materials you need to get started including point sheets, manuals, best practices and other materials that will help get your child excited to start. A week or two in you receive your first weekly progress report, support emails and username details for Gemm City, our proprietary student rewards website along with a few points to spend!

Our Strong Start is all about making sure you understand what is needed for a successful outcome and to help you find a comfortable routine from the outset. Our best outcomes come from clients who embrace this strong start philosophy.
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