What is a CALT?

The title of CALT, or Certified Academic Language Therapist, was one that was new to me in the year 2008 even though I was eleven years into my career as an educator. I had worked as a classroom teacher, lead teacher and literacy coach, reading interventionist, district literacy facilitator, and curriculum writer. Even with all of this experience and trainings, I had never heard of the CALT certification.  I had been trained in many different approaches and programs, and yet I knew that there were students that were falling through the cracks. 

This sent me on a personal mission to learn more about dyslexia, and to seek out training to better help all students and educators. Twelve years later, I know that seeking highly focused training in the science of reading was the best decision that I made, as it set me on a new path in my educational career and provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to best help students with dyslexia. 

A Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) is specially trained to work with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. In order to hold this specialized certification, one must complete an intensive training in multisensory structured language through a program that is accredited through the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and/or the International Multisenosry Structured Language Education Council, IMSLEC. The therapist level standards require that a CALT complete 220 course contact hours in an accredited program, complete a minimum of 700 clinical teaching hours, complete 10 demonstration lessons, and pass the Alliance National Registration exam for Multisensory Structured Language Education. In addition, to maintain one's license as a CALT, they must complete 10 hours of continuing education each year. 

Choosing to pursue the intensive two year training was something that I am so grateful for. It was a lot of work, but I find working with the science of reading and the reading brain to be fascinating. Helping students unlock the reading code is beyond gratifying and I love helping educators grow and better serve students. It is why I started The Dyslexia Classroom! I want to help bring the knowledge that I have to you - in a way that applies the research to your classroom. I am so excited to begin this journey with you!

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