NELMS DYSLEXIA CENTER
2781 N College Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72703
(479) 313-6007
info@nelmsdc.org
The Nelms Dyslexia Center is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit center. We provide dyslexia training to teachers and provide dyslexia assessments and intensive dyslexia therapy for students. We have community programs, information, and support for families and children with dyslexia. All instructional programs and information are rooted in the science of reading and current research in dyslexia.
Current status: We are now open for dyslexia therapy and assessments! Our informational programs will begin in the fall. Please follow us on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter for regular updates.
Don & Millie Nelms
The Nelms Dyslexia Center was established in 2024 as a first project of the Don & Millie Nelms Foundation. These dyslexia organizations stem from Don’s life experience as a person with dyslexia. Despite his challenges with reading and spelling, Don excelled in business and many community and state leadership roles.
Don is investing the financial proceeds of his business success to assist students with dyslexia, their families, and their teachers.
DYSLEXIA ASSESSMENTS
Does my student need an assessment?
If your child is experiencing reading difficulties, a full educational diagnostic assessment can determine if the difficulties are due to dyslexia or related learning differences. This battery of assessments will also reveal specific areas of deficits in order to prescribe the program that best fits your child’s needs.
What does an assessment entail?
Dyslexia assessments include:
- Questionnaire completed by the family
- Consultation with our Assessor
- Student testing process (time range of 2 to 4 hours)
- Follow up consultation to review test results and discuss diagnosis (if applicable)
- If a diagnosis is determined, staff will discuss next steps based on student need
We provide assessments for ages 5+
Assessment costs are $600
We are an approved vendor for payment via
How can we help?
Please complete our inquiry form or
call the center at (479) 313-6007, and our staff will schedule a consultation.
DYSLEXIA & READING THERAPY
We provide the highest quality, research-based instruction in the five components of reading as identified by the National Reading Panel: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Our programs also address deficits in decoding, spelling, grammar, and cursive writing.
All of our programs are Orton-Gillingham-based. Orton-Gillingham is a structured literacy approach that is multi-sensory (visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic). This methodology is sequential, systematic and cumulative. It breaks down reading and spelling into smaller skills, such as letters and sounds, and builds on them over time. All structured language programs offer multiple repetitions that have been shown to create appropriate neural pathways. They are based on the science of reading and emphasize explicit instruction in phonics, decoding, and other foundational reading skills.
After an initial assessment, a student is placed in the program that best meets his/her learning needs.
For optimal progress, four sessions per week are recommended; A minimum of two sessions per week are required.
We provide reading therapy for ages 5+. Tuition fees are $75 per session
We are an approved vendor for payment via
Our Student Programs:
A structured, multi-sensory program that addresses the 5 components of Reading Instruction as mandated by the National Reading Panel: Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension. It also addresses spelling, morphology and grammar proficiencies.
Unique in that it uses mouth/sound pictures that help children identify and appropriately articulate all 44 sounds in the English Language while utilizing the mouth/sound pictures for spelling as well. It is a highly intensive, and explicit intervention for children with a diagnosis of dyslexia, children who show indicators for dyslexia or who have consistently been reading below grade level benchmark expectations.
This program is designed for students age 8 or grade 2 and above.
First Grade Foundations /
Structured Language Basics
(Payne Education Center)
This program is designed for younger students and those who are not in need of the deep intervention intensity of Take Flight.
The curriculum includes explicit instruction in the structure of the English Language beginning with phonological awareness and moving toward a full understanding of the Alphabetic Principle. Students are engaged in discovering the link between the name, shape, feel and sound of all letters. Students practice newly acquired skills through decodable text and multi-sensory games. Students will also use multi-sensory handwriting to develop fluency in writing and will learn age/grade appropriate spelling, grammar, and writing skills.
Other Literacy Programs
Brightwire (Brightwire Publishing)
Teaches reading from the ground up, beginning with phonemic awareness and letter sounds. This program is appropriate for students needing foundational skills.
Navigate Reading and Crossing the Bridge (Payne Education Center)
Designed for younger students (Kindergarten & some First Grade) whose deficits are detected early.
Jet (Scottish Rite for Children)
A fast-paced reading intervention that builds on the success of the other dyslexia intervention programs developed by the staff of Scottish Rite for Children. It was developed for people with dyslexia fourteen years and older.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION Programs
CERTIFIED ACADEMIC LANGUAGE THERAPIST
(CALT)
CERTIFIED ACADEMIC LANGUAGE PRACTITIONER
(CALP)
THERAPIST level training requirements:
- Two year certification course
- Curriculum: Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia
- Meets all requirements for training as a CALT through the Academic Language Therapist Association (ALTA)
- Minimum of 200 face-to-face instructional hours; Minimum of 700 clinical teaching hours
- Minimum of ten lesson demonstrations
- Pass a national competency exam
- Master’s degree required
- Continued yearly education requirements
Visit the ALTA website to learn more.
TEACHER level training requirements:
- One week certification course
- Uses Structured Language Basics
- Meets all requirements for membership as a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) through the Academic Language Therapist Association (ALTA)
- Minimum of 45 face-to-face instructional hours; Minimum of 60 clinical teaching hours
- Minimum of five lesson demonstrations
- Pass a national competency exam
Visit the ALTA website to learn more.
Interested in learning more?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We’re here to help!
Call us at (479) 313-6007 to schedule training at our center
or at your school.
Dyslexia
101
Dyslexia affects approximately twenty percent (1 in 5) of the population. Learn the basics about what dyslexia is, the important and necessary assessments, and the type of appropriate instruction and programs that work for students with dyslexia and other literacy differences.
The
Reading
Process
Discover the process students go through as they learn to read and the methods effective teachers use as they teach students to read. Learn how the brain reads, according to the latest scientific research.
Vigorous
Vocabulary
Word meaning is a strong determiner of reading comprehension. Learn simple and effective teaching strategies for all classes and all grades. *Curriculum included
Building Fluent Readers
Fluent reading is a hallmark of strong readers and is a good predictor of reading comprehension. Learn ways to develop fluency in readers of all ages. Taken from Dr. Timothy Rasinski’s book, Developing Fluent Readers.
Power
Grammar &
Composition
Designed to help students understand the function of and master the use of the basic parts of speech and develop stronger speaking and writing skills. It is used in conjunction with other structured language programs to provide a comprehensive approach to language learning
OUR TEAM
Pam Henley - Center Director
Certified Academic Language Therapist
Qualified Instructor
Pam is from Tahlequah, OK. Previously the founder of Crossroads Learning; she has dedicated her life to education and teaching children to read. She has a Master’s degree in education and reading, is a Certified Academic Language Therapist-Qualified Instructor, and is a Reading Specialist.
When she is not at the center she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, reading, and traveling. She is enjoying traveling with her husband, family and friends. For those of you that know Pam, she is pretty high energy. She loves to workout, jog, walk and cycle to burn off some of that energy.
“I really love giving hope and help to parents who are concerned about their child’s literacy learning. When working with students, I love seeing their faces light up as they realize they CAN read and spell! It’s a beautiful thing!”
Jennifer Carter - Center Coordinator
Certified Academic Language Therapist Qualified Instructor in training
Jen is from Prairie Grove, AR. She taught elementary school for 18 years and worked in private practice for 5 years before joining Nelms Dyslexia Center. Jen has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Dyslexia Therapy. She is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Outside of work, you can find her enjoying a good book, spending time with family, or enjoying a Razorback game or gymnastics meet. Go Hogs!
"I have always loved the quote by Maya Angelou that says 'I've learned that people may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' I want kids to want to work with me. I want our kids to know and feel like they matter."
Donna Francis - Therapist
Certified Academic Language Therapist
Donna is from Pocola, OK. She taught middle-level English language arts and reading for 15 years. Donna has a Master’s degree in education and reading. She is a Reading Specialist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
In addition to loving time with her grandkids, Donna is an avid reader, a new gardener and enjoys sharing produce with her friends. She has a registered therapy dog named Murry. Donna and Murry work as a team bringing joy to places that need it.
“As a teacher, it is great to have the dyslexia therapy tools to help our students. I want our students to know that they have a clear path to learn to read and have my constant support!"
Melissa Duersch - Assessor
Certified Academic Language Therapist Qualified Instructor in training
Melissa is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with over 15 years experience helping students with dyslexia and other language-related learning differences. She is a graduate of Utah State University with a Master of Arts Degree in History. She envisioned spending her life doing historical research in a dusty library and publishing books no one ever wanted to read. But, life had a way of redirecting her path.
When her third child struggled desperately to read, Melissa's research led her to the field of dyslexia and related learning disabilities. Through professional education, she became acquainted with and trained in Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham methods of dyslexia remediation.
She enjoys watching Korean dramas. She is learning Korean which is an addition to learning German, Russian, and Spanish.
“Kids with dyslexia are just the best. When they start working with you, they have often been bruised by the educational system. When they realize that they can learn how to read, you see this positive change in them and their confidence. One of my favorite quotes from a student I taught: 'Don’t tell my Mom, but I kinda like coming here.’ Another is: ‘I used to sort of guess at the words and make something up, and now I can read the words. And I can do it really fast!’”
PARENT & EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Yale Center for Dyslexia (YCDC)
Arkansas Legislation & Guides:
The purpose of the guide is to provide school districts, public schools, and teachers with guidance to meet Ark. Code Ann. §6-14-601
Arkansas: Reading Legislation Guidance Document
This document provides clarification on pertinent literacy legislation that districts are required to implement. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has developed rules and regulations to clarify components of the law.
R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence) Arkansas
The goals of R.I.S.E. Arkansas are:
1) Enhance and increase professional learning to provide educators with in-depth information related to the science of reading, evidence-based instructional strategies and the skills to make data-based decisions for students.
2) Establish post-secondary programs alongside business and community partnerships that are critical to changing the landscape of literacy.
3) Encourage school districts and community groups to plan local reading campaigns to promote the culture of reading within the state and provide access to books in the home.
A resource guide for procedures and policies on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for Arkansas school systems.
The goal of a 504 plan is to ensure that students with disabilities can get a free education that meets their needs. The name comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, such as public schools.
A 504 plan is a way for schools to help students with disabilities learn in a regular classroom by providing accommodations and support.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a free, written plan that helps students with disabilities in public schools receive specialized instruction and support services.
Children with disabilities may receive special education services in Arkansas public schools. This guide will help you understand the special education process, if your child is eligible for special education services, and a parent’s role in developing their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Contact Us
2781 N College Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72703
(479) 313-6007
info@nelmsdc.org