Local Programs Support Children with Learning Differences
- Kathleen Ganster
- 43 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Learning to read can be a joy for many children, but it can also be a real challenge for others. Some children need extra support and teaching methods that might not be offered in mainstream schooling options — which makes support systems imperative for success.
Provident Charter Schools (PCS) are the only public charter schools in Pennsylvania designed specifically for children in grades one to eight who have dyslexia or struggle to read due to a language-based learning difference, according to Laura Partridge, community outreach coordinator of Provident Charter School West.
PCS was founded by a group of educators led by Curtis Kossman, a prominent businessman in Pittsburgh. Partridge explained that Kossman is dyslexic and witnessed the challenges his dyslexic children faced while in school. In addition, he knew firsthand how expensive dyslexia remediation can be for families. “He wanted to ensure Pittsburgh area children with reading difficulties get the education they need without their families incurring additional expenses,” she said. Provident offers a unique learning environment with no costs to families.
PCS opened the Troy Hill location in 2016 and currently has a waiting list. The second location opened in Beaver County in 2023 in response to the demand and desire to expand services to additional children.
“Dyslexia is incredibly common and affects one in five people, about 15%-20% of the population, according to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity,” Partridge shared. This shows there is a real need for support programming for these children. School days at Provident are structured similarly to other public schools, while also offering 25% more instruction with daily reading and math interventions, Partridge explained. “We utilize a multisensory approach to learning with very small class sizes and a ratio of one staff per six children, so students get the individualized attention they need. We have no homework for students in grades one to four, so family time is less stressful,” Partridge said.
All students also take taekwondo. “Mr. Kossman feels that taekwondo is beneficial in helping individuals improve self-control and perseverance while mastering patterns or sequences of movements that are challenging,” Partridge explained. “Finding success through TKD has definitely boosted confidence for our students, and we are fortunate to be the only school that offers TKD as part of its regular programming.”
Provident was recently featured on Empowered, a television show hosted by Meg Ryan that showcased their unique educational methods and the successes of their students in honor of their 10th anniversary. “It was an honor to be featured,” Partridge said. For more information about Provident School, please visit: https://www.providentcharterschool.org/.
The Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania (LDA of PA) is another valuable resource for local children. “LDA of PA provides high-quality and equitable services to students with learning disabilities and those that struggle to read. We primarily focus on offering multisensory reading instruction to students in need, those that live in underserved communities, those from lower-income households, and at-risk youth,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director Collin Diedrich, Ph.D.
LDA of PA was founded by Diedrich and Carrie Gardner when they discovered a need for an organization that exclusively focused on providing actual services for their target students. “We didn’t want to be a place that just points families in the right direction, since the needs are so high,” he explained. LDA was created in 2018, became a nonprofit in 2019 and started their tutoring services in 2021.
Any student who is 5 and older is eligible for services withLDA of PA, mostly working with underserved students. Most students are referred by word of mouth and through Pittsburgh Public Schools, as well as organizations that host after-school programs. LDA of PA has provided services as far as Meadville. According to Diedrich, their biggest neighborhood served is the Hill District.
LDA of PA reading intervention tutoring is free for students who are from lower-income households, get government benefits and those on free/reduced lunches.
According to Diedrich, LDA of PA only utilizes multisensory reading instruction in their work. “All of our tutoring follows the science of reading. We also really do everything we can to make it free to all/any student in need. And we also provide free training to tutors that live and are connected to the neighborhoods that we tutor to learn these techniques,” he said.
Since LDA of PA is a nonprofit, donations are welcome. “A $20 donation provides an hour of early literacy instruction to a small group of students,” Diedrich explained. “We are also seeking tutors to train, and if any readers are connected to other organizations that would like us to come and support their students, we can do that.” For more information, visit https://www.ldaofpa.org.
The Watson Institute has a long history of assisting children in the Pittsburgh region. According to Kara Mostowy, chief development officer, the organization was founded in 1917 as the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children. The Watson Institute was established to address the lack of educational opportunities available to children with disabilities. “Today, Watson provides a continuum of special education and behavioral health programs for children and young adults with a wide range of disabilities. Programs include special education schools, as well as outpatient therapy and intensive behavioral health services,” she said.
Watson serves children and young adults from age 3 through 21 who have disabilities, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders and emotional and behavioral challenges. “Public school districts typically refer students to our educational programs, and Watson works collaboratively with the student’s parents or caregivers and the home district to consider the appropriate educational program,” Mostowy explained. Parents and caregivers reach out directly to Watson when seeking specialized services for behavioral health issues.
Watson’s educational services are funded through public funding sources, allowing families to access those services without paying tuition directly. Mostowy said, “For our outpatient and intensive behavioral health service programs, the Watson Institute accepts most major insurance plans, and some services are funded by medical assistance. We work closely with families and referral sources to identify available funding and ensure children receive needed services whenever possible.”
Watson has a well-earned outstanding reputation for its services. “Watson is recognized for its expertise in serving children with autism and other complex needs. Our staff bring extensive experience supporting children with co-occurring mental health challenges, including anxiety, ADHD, depression and the effects of trauma,” Mostowy explained.
She continued, “What sets Watson apart is our trauma-informed approach and our deep understanding of both the educational and behavioral health systems. Because our staff work closely with children, families, schools and community providers, they are able to build trust quickly, understand barriers to success and develop practical, individualized solutions.”
Additionally, Watson offers a continuum of support that allows them to understand a child’s needs from multiple perspectives. Mostowy said that this collaborative approach helps ensure that students receive consistent, coordinated support both in school and beyond. “Another important difference is access — our mental health programs are often able to accommodate referrals without the lengthy wait times families frequently encounter elsewhere,” she said.
“Staff at Watson understand the unique strengths of each child we serve and provide the supports they need to help them achieve their fullest potential,” Mostowy said. For more information, visit: https://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/.