Roanoke/Salem: (540) 389-ABCD

Educational Services for the Modern Student

Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC offers a complete list of superior learning services that our teachers and students can use to realize their full learning potential. From complex behavioral modifications involving students and their families to personalized learning techniques that are focused on the individual, our tutoring and learning center has what it takes to create breakthrough instructional moments for all.

These services include:

Individualized Tutoring:

Helping our students grow and flourish is our joy and mission. We offer personalized instruction in the setting where we are best able to meet the needs of the child and his/her family--in the home, school, library, or center. After every session, we conference with parents to describe their child's performance, the teaching-learning process, and how to support academic growth at home and school. We offer students and parents SOLUTIONS to maximize learning. Our students also benefit from the consistency of the same tutor each time.

We provide student-centered tutoring to enhance learning, remediate weaknesses, and support the student with academic subjects. We provide instruction at all grade levels in:

  • Phonics
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Written Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Handwriting
  • Spelling
  • Math
  • SOL Concepts
  • Homework Help
  • Social Skills
  • Study Skills
  • Test-taking Skills (Classroom Tests, SOL's, SAT/ACT, GED)
  • Organizational Skills
  • Time Management Skills

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY

We offer intensive remedial instruction to learners with special needs. Our specialists work with students having learning disabilities (including dyslexia), ADD/ADHD, behavior disorders, autism, EMD/TMD, and other special needs.

We lead the area in our variety of methods and highly regarded instructional programs. All of our programs are based on current research and best practices.

Call today to learn more about our various learning programs.

Students struggling with reading and spelling benefit from Master The Code, a specialized program with unprecedented success. Students utilizing this program have averaged a gain of 4 years in reading skills. Master The Code is based on research indicating that students' reading is best trained when it follows a pattern similar to speech development. The authors of Master The Code studied the best reading and spelling programs available, synthesized their strongest features, and created a program that has transformed reading and spelling for thousands of students. Master The Code must be coupled with our PACE cognitive enhancement program.

Reading, Spelling, & Written Language Tutoring:

Building STRONG Readers, Spellers & Writers for a lifetime! If you are concerned about your child's reading, spelling, or writing, you have come to the right place!

We have earned an outstanding reputation among educational professionals, educational psychologists, and parents due to the significant growth our students attain in short periods of time.

At Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC, we are particular about assisting students who struggle in reading and writing.

Parents can feel confident that their children are in great hands because:

  • We have extensive experience & expertise in remediating reading, writing, and spelling difficulties.
  • Not only have we been well-trained to intervene with learners, some of us have been educated, observed, and evaluated by experts who have literally written the books on how to do it!
  • We stay abreast of the relevant research findings and innovations in literacy development.
  • We do not introduce programs to students that have received poor ratings from the What Works Clearinghouse of educational programs.
  • We use evidence-based practices and state-of-the art, effective programs for intervention.
  • Our professionals are equipped to address every component of reading, written language, and spelling instruction.​
  • We utilize a variety of programs and strategies for effective instruction. Experience with multiple programs over time allows us to fine-tune our skills and know precisely which methods to use in specific circumstances.
  • We have significantly invested in an array of instructional materials and programs that is unmatched in the area. Few practitioners ever have access to  the caliber and variety of programs we have in their entire careers--let alone in one location.
  • We are careful and deliberate in the assignment of professionals to students. A match must be made in terms of the student's abilities and needs, the programming required, and the technical proficiency of the instructor.
  • Our clients have access to information regarding best practices, as we gladly offer consultative services.

We provide instruction for ages preschool to adult.

Participation in this program is not limited to certain types of learners or special learning needs like dyslexia, hyperlexia, dysgraphia, etc. All students needing assistance with language arts skills will benefit. (We do encourage parents concerned about dyslexia and reading disorders to see the next, related link on our home page.)

We insist on assessing students and/or viewing well-written, thorough and recent psycho-educational evaluations prior to enrollment. This enables us to understand the learner and design appropriate intervention.

Math Tutoring:

At Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC, we believe we have the right formula for success in mathematics. Because math is a skill that builds, it is essential that students receive remediation as soon as difficulties arise. When left with bits and pieces of math skills, students lack the foundation they need to develop new math skills and succeed in school. Our math tutors and specialists are trained to target missing skills and build new skills using effective strategies and methodologies. We match tutors and specialists to the needs and math levels of individual learners. We assist with all levels of math from preschool to college level courses.

Dyslexia & Reading Disorder Intervention:

We Specialize In Helping Struggling Readers Become Reading Lovers!

We have an outstanding team of veteran learning disabilities/dyslexia specialists and reading specialists. The caliber of training our specialists have had combined with the sheer variety of effective programs we offer makes us the service of choice for children who struggle with reading. We offer several researched-based highly regarded reading and dyslexia interventions including: The prestigious Slingerland Orton-Gillingham (requiring most intensive teacher education of any Orton-Gillingham approach trainings); several other Orton-Gillingham based programs; Individualized and affordable Small Group Slingerland; Lindamood Bell Programs, and various other programs.

Please see our other links on the "Reading, Spelling, and Written Language Tutoring" and "About Us" link.

Our programs target:

  • Auditory & Visual Processing Skills Underlying Most Decoding Weaknesses
  • Phonological Awareness
  • Reading Decoding/Phonics
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Strategic Reading
  • Reading Fluency
  • Reading in Content Area Subjects (Social Studies/Science)
  • Reading Rate Adjustment
  • Dyslexia Remediation (for all types of dyslexia)
  • Hyperlexia Remediation
  • Reading Vocabulary Development

ASK US ABOUT OUR INTERACTIVE READING PROGRAM AND HOW IT HAS PROVEN SUCCESS WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE DYSLEXIA AND OTHER READING DISABILTIIES.

ADD/ADHD Programs:

Play Attention is a powerful program designed to assist learners, especially those with ADD/ADHD, in improving their focus, resisting distractions, and increasing concentration. Inspired by the feedback-based training for NASA's astronauts, Play Attention utilizes technology that reads brain signals indicative of concentration and focus. These signals control computer games designed to help build attention, memory, and other cognitive skills. This program makes attention concrete, so students can see that it can be controlled. Our Play Attention program is combined with discussion and written exercises, so students become self-aware of their attention and how to respond to inattention in their daily lives. As a result of Play Attention, many students have also experienced improved behavior, social interaction, and academic skills.

Learning & Behavior Specialists is pleased to provide a Play Attention iLAB where students can receive real-time feedback and interaction with the Play Attention educator. Students who live out of the area can still participate in our iLAB program.

National and international news media (such as The Today Show and Time Magazine) have featured Play Attention.

  • DefiniPoint and Play Attention iLab
  • Coaching and Cutting-Edge Programs for ADD/ADHD Management

Brain Training/Cognitive Enhancement:

Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC offers specialized programs designed to enhance cognitive functioning and attention skills. Unlike many of our services, which can be provided in the home or school, this training must be completed in our office.

We offer two main programs: PACE and Executive Functions Training.

Train the Brain. Transform Learning.

We are thrilled to be SW Virginia's provider for the PACE program, designed for individuals ages 6 to adult. The goal of this 12 week training is to improve the thinking processes that underlie academic skills. By focusing on the brain's processing abilities, clients develop tools to optimize learning and become more efficient and effective learners. Recent research indicates that cognitive skills can change; therefore, clients who struggle with one or more processing areas can work to improve them.

For many clients, the cause of learning struggles is weak cognitive and processing skills. Interventions such as modifications and tutoring may never solve the problem. PACE is designed to attack the problem at its source.

Clients who have completed the program averaged an impressive 3.5 year growth in cognitive skills.

It's Like Boot Camp for the Brain! PACE may greatly benefit individuals who:

  • Simply want to be better learners and increase their cognitive skills.
  • Have dyslexia and/or other learning disabilities.
  • Struggle to concentrate.
  • Find learning difficult and frustrating.
  • Have difficulties remembering information.
  • Have trouble with subjects like spelling, reading, math, and/or writing
  • Find it hard to pay attention or have ADD/ADHD.
  • Have Asperger's/autism.
  • Have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
  • Struggle to process visual or auditory information.
  • Have had a stroke.

Targeted abilities include:

  • Auditory Processing
  • Auditory Blending
  • Auditory Analysis
  • Auditory Discrimination
  • Auditory Segmenting
  • Auditory-Visual Association
  • Comprehension of Concepts/Words
  • Divided Attention
  • Sustained Attention
  • Logic and Reasoning
  • Long-Term Memory
  • Mathematics Computation
  • Processing Speed
  • Simultaneous Processing
  • Sequential Processing
  • Saccadic Fixation
  • Sensory-Motor Integration
  • Visual Discrimination
  • Visualization
  • Visual Processing
  • Visual Manipulation
  • Visual Span
  • Working Memory

To learn more, visit our PACE site:
Click here!

Featured in:

Growing Up in the Valley:
Click here!

The Cave Spring Connection:
Click here!

Kindergarten Prep & Readiness Testing:

Every year, we are hired by parents who are concerned that their children may not be ready for kindergarten the following fall.

We have phenomenal, gifted preschool and kindergarten teachers who help their students prepare. Our kindergarten readiness students learn basic foundational skills for fine-motor skills, letter-sound knowledge, emergent literacy (reading, spelling, and writing), early math, and staying attentive for extended periods of time.

We also offer assessments to help determine if a student is ready for the demands of kindergarten.

Home-Schooling Alternative:

Half Day Learning/Home School Alternative--Now Scheduling

Our Academic Advancement Program is a tutoring program designed to build a student's skills in required core subjects: math, reading, writing, and spelling. Secondary aged homeschoolers may substitute 1-2 courses for any of the subjects above, if needed.

After dismissal, students have two options:

1. They may return to base schools, such as private schools, or home schooling programs for the remainder of the school day.

2. Students may continue after the morning with additional subjects (such as social studies, science, enrichment, and supervised study) and lunch break.

This program was established due to customer demand and is ideal for students who struggle with the format, pace, and testing demands of traditional education. It is also ideal for parents who may not be able to teach these essential subjects to their children due to scheduling or lack of specialized teaching knowledge.

Students will come to our clinic for three hours per day (4 day or 5 day options) during the school week for the half day instruction. Additional courses are an hour each, and lunch break is 1/2 hour each day.

Students will work at their own pace. They will be taught new concepts and guided/assisted with practice for skill mastery. Instruction is individualized, but there will be other students also completing their individualized programs in the same room. We keep our adult/student ratio low. Children in this situation must be able to work without disruptive behaviors. Students will be accepted on a case-by-case basis for both our program and the base school. Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from our clinics.

Students in our Academic Advancement Program will need to be assessed initially and at the end of the school year.

Summer Programs:

During the summer, the following programs are available to students:

    • Subject Area Tutoring - Any Subject, One-On-One
    • Specialized Interventions - These programs are also one-on-one and involve using strong, research-based methods and materials for students with special learning needs.
    • PACE Brain Training
    • Play Attention iLAB

    Parents select how often they want their child(ren) to have these sessions during the summer months and have an opportunity to buy a block of sessions to be distributed throughout the summer.

Assessment Services & Psychological Evaluations:

Our variety of current, reputable, and comprehensive assessments:

  • Help in determining kindergarten readiness.
  • Identify intellectual and achievement levels (present level of performance in specific areas, skill deficits, and strengths and weaknesses).
  • Plan instructional programs.
  • Evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Measure student progress.
  • Aid in the diagnosis of disabilities.

Psychological evaluations offered with specialization in diagnostics of:

  • Learning disabilities in reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Intellectual disabilities.
  • ADHD and related executive functioning impairment.
  • Developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.
  • Behavioral disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder.
  • Gifted learners.

Learning Effectiveness Program:

In order to facilitate effective learning, students may enroll in individualized sessions that address:

  • Organizational Skills
  • Understanding Your Learning Style
  • Test Taking Strategies
  • Effective Note Taking Skills
  • Study & Memorization Strategies
  • Reading & Locating Key Information from Text

Consultation:

Our professionals strive to promote a positive relationship between home, school, and our service. Interested in learning more? Throughout the years, many parents have utilized our consultants for:

  • Applying knowledge and experience to suggest how instruction can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of the individual learner as well as how to approach the school for these accommodations, modifications, or supports.
  • Analysis of student records and testing data interpreted in language that parents can easily understand.
  • Consultation prior to and after school meetings (such as Parent-Teacher Conferences, Child Study Meetings, Eligibility Meetings, and IEP meetings).
  • Attendance during school meetings.
  • Explanation of special education terminology and laws.
  • Strategies for helping the child at home.
  • Help with designing behavior modification plans for home and school.
  • Help in forming an alliance between student, home, and school.

Additionally, our tutors and specialists are available to conduct student observations in the school setting.

Educational consultation is offered to assist parents in securing appropriate educational services and accommodations through both IDEA and Section 504. Consultation services are provided to empower parents to make informed educational decisions for their children.

Counseling Services:

Counseling services are available for children and adolescents to address various problems related to learning, behavior, emotional regulation, and functional skills. Services are available to parents who seek to improve parenting skills and strengthen the parent-child relationship. Counseling services are designed to improve functionality and increase resiliency so that families are better equipped to handle future issues. Partnership with parents is viewed as a key component success and is therefore emphasized.

Occupational Therapy:

Our occupational therapy services address handwriting (print and cursive) skills, visual perceptual skills, bilateral/fine motor coordination, fine and gross motor planning, sensory motor processing, integration of complex systems for functional organization, postural control, alignment, stability, and mobility.

Homework Club:

Daily,we receive calls from frustrated parents who struggle to get through homework with their kids.Many kids don't want to experience the trials and errors of learning with their parents watching so closely. Many parents don't know how to help with homework because they learned skills in a different way when they were in school. The Homework Club is our solution. Students can purchase a monthly punch card and do their homework an hour daily with a tutor available.We offer several sessions per grade level.

SAT/ACT Test Prep:

SAT/ACT prep classes are offered one-on-one or in group sessions. One of our specialists is an actual grader for the SAT. Call for information about rates and schedules.

Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC
Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC
Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC

For more information about Learning & Behavior Specialists, LLC, or to schedule your FREE consultation with us, please contact us at 540-389-ABCD (Roanoke/Salem area) and 434-534-1338 (Lynchburg/Forest area).