Online Reading Programs

Reading Software with Remote Supervision

Our K-12 reading programs use brain-based exercises to:

• Improve fluency & reading comprehension
• Boost confidence and willingness to read
• Build reading stamina

Treat Source of Difficulty Once, Not Symptoms Forever
90% of struggling readers are held back by one single brain skill, auditory processing, required for sounding out words accurately and automatically. The brain is plastic -- auditory processing can be exercised and improved. Our reading software, Fast ForWord, taps into this opportunity.

The National Reading Panel states that comprehension should only be taught after reading accuracy and fluency are mastered -- teach a child to pedal a bike before how to change gears.

This is how our Fast ForWord program works, training required reading skills in sequence, starting at the base of the reading pyramid, working up as skills are mastered.

Fast ForWord individualizes to each student, creating the intensity required to rewire reading skills at your child's pace. It has been used by 1+ million students in 40 countries.
Fast ForWord reading programs in detail

There are three phases:

1. Build cognitive fundamentals
   The first reading program strengthens the auditory processing, phonological awareness, working memory, attention stamina and sequencing skills required for efficient decoding.
   Cognitive skills training
   


2. Make reading more fluent
   The next set of exercises adds text to the mix, training sound discrimination (phonics) and decoding automaticity, as well as helping vocabulary, spelling and language structure.
   Reading fluency program
   
   We will sometimes also insert Reading Assistant software, speech recognition based oral reading practice with real-time word correction and comprehension questions.


3. Develop reading comprehension
   The reading software then presents a series of exercises that adapt to each student, filling in all kinds of reading skill gaps, with a particular focus on reading comprehension and active reading strategies. Exercises escalate in difficulty and sophistication to build robust reading skills and to undo prior bad habits.
   How we improve reading comprehension

Protocol Length
While many reading intervention programs require years of open-ended instruction, our program has specific reading goals and takes only a few months. Middle and high school students take 3-4 months on average, using a five day a week, 30 minute a day protocol. Elementary age children, and students with dyslexia or more severe reading and/or processing difficulties will take up to a few months longer. Protocol length can also vary depending our your goals.

Neuroscience and Natural Learning
Fast ForWord uses adaptive algorithms that create the intensity of processing required to create new neural pathways, to tap into the ability of the brain to change. The reading series uses a natural learning approach -- not instruction that is received then forgotten, but rather interactive discovery -- similar to how children learn language in their first years of life.
Why cognitive brain fitness?

Reading Programs For Children
Our programs are appropriate for children five years of age and over. Younger children enjoy elementary reading programs for their interactive computer game feel -- this is not boring, text heavy reading instruction -- and the adaptivity that means they are able to progress at their own pace, without frustration.

Our middle school reading programs use "best score" and other incentives built into the exercises to extract an aerobic, intense effort. These same features motivate older children, although our high school reading programs are popular, mainly because of their potential to significantly boost ACT and SAT scores.
Reading programs for children

Reading Programs For Adults
Our programs are also suitable for adults, most often those with a lifelong reading difficulty or dyslexia diagnosis. At only 30 minutes a day, it can fit into the schedule of most struggling adult readers motivated to make a change.
Adult reading programs

Reading Skills Helped

For reading to be successful throughout life, a number of skills need to be practiced and learned. Our reading programs take a comprehensive approach:

• Cognitive Skills. While the primary target of the reading software is auditory processing, related to phonological awareness, there are exercises that work on attention, sequencing, working memory and other fundamental cognitive skills.


• Language Skills. While skilled readers typically absorb vocabulary, syntax and the nuances of the language just by listening, most struggling readers have cognitive gaps that impede this natural language discovery. And so our reading programs fill in the gaps, using a natural learning approach.


• Reading & Writing Skills. Most struggling readers need help with spelling, guidance in developing higher level metacognitive reading strategies and other reading skills, all of which are covered in the Fast ForWord program.

Many of these skills are themes that your child would work on throughout the reading program, whereas some, such as the metacognitive skills, appear only in later levels.
Improving reading skills

Get Started With A Free Consult

To find out if your child is a candidate for our program, call for a free consult Monday to Friday, 9AM to 9PM EST, or request a different time here:
Request a consult or ask a question