Lindamood-Bell's Darien Learning Center Director answers questions from an interview with AllAboutDarien.com covering topics from testing, instruction, program theory, and the instructional process.

1. An Interview
with
All About Darien
June 2010
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

2. The following is from an interview
between our Darien Center Director
and a local website,
AllAboutDarien.com.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

3. Introduction from
All About Darien
I’d like you to meet Natalie Gallant, Director of
Darien’s Lindamood-Bell Learning Center, a
Premiere Sponsor of AllAboutDarien.com. I
really didn’t know much about Lindamood-Bell
Learning Processes until I met and became
friends with Natalie, but have come to
understand that it is one of those “in-the-know”
educational resources that is exceptional in
every way, and I am excited to share more
information with you.
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11/09

4. Question:
So Natalie, tell us, in a nutshell,
what is the Lindamood Bell®
Learning Center?
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11/09

5. Answer:
Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes helps children
and adults learn to their potential. Our research-
based instruction develops the processes that
underlie language and literacy skills such as
reading, spelling, comprehension, critical
thinking, and math. In order to be a proficient
learner, it is critical that someone efficiently
process information, either by listening or
reading. It is this unique focus on processing,
that allows our students to learn how to learn
which allows them more success in all areas of
school and in life.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

6. Question:
How would you say Lindamood-
Bell Learning Processes is
different from other educational
programs like Sylvan,
Huntington, Tutor Time, etc?
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11/09

7. Answer:
While I’m not an expert in their programs or
curriculum, generally speaking more traditional
tutoring typically offers students help with
homework in specific content areas such as
math or science. Our instruction focuses on
developing the underlying processes necessary
to read, comprehend, and process information
regardless of content area; essentially learning
how to learn.
Cont…
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

8. Cont…
Often a person is struggling because their brain
does not take in information and process it
efficiently. Weaknesses in the underlying
sensory-cognitive processes can negatively
impact performance at school or work.
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11/09

9. Question:
What age groups do you typically
work with?
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11/09

10. Answer:
All ages, pre-K through adult, and we have proven
success with those previously diagnosed with
learning difficulties such as dyslexia,
hyperlexia, ADD/HD, CAPD, and autism
spectrum disorders.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

11. Question:
Wait, did you say adults?? Even
those who are out of school?
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11/09

12. Answer:
Yes! We often work with high school and college
students, as well as adults of all ages, and see
phenomenal results. It is a common
misconception that after a “certain” age the
brain is not able to change.
Cont…
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

13. Cont…
Current brain research proves that this is incorrect
– this research (which we were involved with
through Georgetown University and Wake
Forest University) has shown that the adult
brain is still elastic and new neural pathways
can be developed. This allows adult students to
improve their language and literacy skills which
of course are so important at any stage of life!
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

14. Question:
What are some common
indicators that a child might need
or could benefit from working
with Lindamood-Bell?
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11/09

15. Answer:
Many of our students have a prior diagnosis of a
learning difficulty, but for most, they come to us
when it is realized that tutoring on particular
subjects, does not seem to help. Our students
come to us with many different levels of
difficulty from many different types of
challenges with reading to an often under-
recognized comprehension difficulty where they
seem to constantly have problems
understanding what they read or hear. This can
often seem like a person is lazy or “just not
getting it.”
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11/09

16. Question:
How is your program structured,
i.e. three days a week, after
school, for the school year, four
weeks of 5-days-a-week sessions,
etc?
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

17. Answer:
Our instruction is based on an individual’s
learning needs and embodies an interactive,
balanced approach. Through Socratic
questioning, clinicians teach students to
integrate sensory information to help them
become self-correcting and independent in all
learning skills. Most students are seen 5 days /
week, anywhere from 1-6 hours per day
depending on the amount of instruction needed
and schedules available. I should probably
mention that summer is our busiest time of year
and early registration is highly recommended.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

18. Question:
If I’m not sure my child needs the
program, is there a way I can
learn more and/or discuss their
needs with you without
obligation?
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

19. Answer:
Before we work with any student, a diagnostic
learning evaluation must be administered to
determine the kind and length of instruction
needed. If a family is unsure about going
through with the testing process, I’m always
happy to meet with the potential student and
review any prior testing or school reports with
the family. Lindamood-Bell has developed a
free-screening to help us look at how
appropriate our services are for each individual
we meet.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

20. Question:
Does the Darien center serve
families who live in surrounding
towns as well?
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11/09

21. Answer:
Of course! We actually have students that
commute over an hour each way to come to our
center every day. I have even had families come
from further away, even from other countries,
to receive instruction in our center because our
instructional program is so unique.
Cont…
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

22. Cont…
We are directly owned and operated by the
authors of the programs and have created a
learning environment that is difficult to
replicate, so families are often traveling to our
learning centers to take advantage of the
quality instruction and results for which
Lindamood-Bell is known.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

23. Question:
Is there anything else you feel
would be helpful for our readers
to know about Lindamood-Bell
Learning Centers?
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

24. Answer:
First and foremost, parents should trust their
instincts when it comes to their children. They
are usually right! So, I do encourage families
to gather as much information as possible if
their child is struggling. Too often, I have
parents say to me, “I wish I had done
something sooner.” Sometimes a smaller
challenge to overcome now will be a bigger
problem in time. But if you are not sure of
where the challenges are coming from, it will
be really hard to overcome them.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

25. Cont…
Many parents find that even just taking the first
step of going through the evaluation and
consultation process with me at the center
helps them to gather good information about
how their child is learning.
I guess the other thing I’d love for people to know
is how much our students enjoy coming. They
make progress and feel successful. That makes
them more excited about learning.
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

26. To learn more about Lindamood-Bell
Learning Processes, visit our website at:
www.LindamoodBell.com
Or call our Learning Centers at:
1-800-300-1818
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09

27. Thank You!
800-300-1818
www.LindamoodBell.com
“You gave Alphie the gift of a lifetime.
How could we say more.”
~ June
© Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
11/09