When Winding Hills resident Laura Sterling noticed her son struggling with letter recognition and rhyming in preschool, her instincts told her something wasn’t right. “As a mom, I knew something was off,” Laura recalls. “He couldn’t remember the order of the alphabet or the days of the week, and he often called things by the wrong names.” It was these concerns that led Laura to seek professional help. She and her husband had their son evaluated by a neuropsychologist, resulting in a diagnosis of dyslexia. The family knew they had to act quickly to ensure their son received the support he needed to thrive in school and beyond. 

That’s when they found Schooling For You, a local tutoring business run by dyslexia expert Brook Euler. “Schooling For You was life-changing,” Laura says. 

Her son began tutoring in kindergarten, and the results were immediate. Laura credits the personalized, multi-sensory Barton Program for helping her son build confidence and succeed academically.

The heart of her son’s progress lies with his tutor, Julie, affectionately called their “Reading Angel.” “She’s been the most important part of his journey,” Laura explains. “Her patience and creativity made learning fun, even during tough lessons.” Julie’s dedication and the structured Barton Program allowed her son to grasp reading and spelling, which had previously been sources of frustration. 

Laura’s son soon began to excel, with his reading and spelling improving dramatically. “The program uses rules with catchy names, helping him remember how to apply them,” Laura says. “It’s incredible to see how far he’s come.” 

Upper Allen Elementary also played a key role, working closely with Laura and Julie to ensure her son received consistent support. “We’re so thankful for his teachers—they were the best partners in his learning,” Laura emphasizes. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION 

Laura’s experience has made her a strong advocate for early intervention. She believes that acting quickly is key to a child’s success. “Don’t wait and see,” she advises other parents. “If you think something is off, trust your gut and get an evaluation. The earlier you intervene, the better your child’s chances of success.” 

Children with undiagnosed dyslexia often develop low self-esteem and anxiety around reading. Laura urges parents to seek help sooner rather than later. Early intervention, as it did for her son, can prevent children from falling behind and struggling needlessly. 

One organization raising awareness about dyslexia is Decoding Dyslexia PA. Part of a national grassroots movement, the group advocates for early screening, teacher training, and access to evidence-based interventions like the Barton Program.

Decoding Dyslexia PA also helps parents navigate the educational system and secure appropriate support for their children. “They help parents like me feel less alone and more equipped to help our children succeed,” Laura says.