EmpowerKidz offers Fast ForWord program in person or online. It helps children who find difficulty in reading, language, memory, attention, or processing.
Reading should not be a daily struggle. Maybe your child reads slowly. Maybe they guess at words or forget what they read. Maybe they miss what you say out loud. You are not alone, and there are several ways to assist them.
Fast ForWord is an adaptive reading and language program designed to strengthen foundational literacy skills while providing practice in memory, attention, processing, and sequencing. We use it as one part of our reading intervention and educational therapy services in Charlotte, NC and online.
Fast ForWord is a set of computer exercises. They adjust as your child works. If an exercise is too easy, it gets harder. If it is too hard, it eases up. This keeps practice challenging but not overwhelming.
The exercises build skills that support reading and language, including:
Reading uses many skills at once. Practicing them together can support direct phonics and literacy teaching.
Parents most often tell us things like this:
Such problems can have numerous causes. Some children have a diagnosis, like dyslexia/ADHD. Others do not. Reading is just harder for them than for other children. Some have trouble with auditory processing, working memory, or attention. This can make reading and listening very tiring. Whatever the cause, we want to learn how your child learns. Then we match support to their needs.
Reading is more than knowing words. A child has to:
When one of these is hard, reading gets frustrating. That is why we look at more than reading level. We look at the whole picture. Memory, attention, and processing speed all connect to reading. Support often works best when we look at them together.
Fast ForWord can be the perfect fit for children who:
We look at each child on their own. If Fast ForWord is not right for your child, we will tell you. Then we will talk about other options.
A note on language: Fast ForWord is a reading and language practice program. It is not a medical treatment, and it is not a treatment for dyslexia, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, or autism. If you have questions about a diagnosis, we encourage you to speak with your child’s paediatrician, psychologist, audiologist, or speech-language pathologist.
Fast ForWord works best as part of a plan. It is not a stand-alone program. Here is how we use it in Charlotte, NC and online:
We talk with you about your child's strengths, challenges, school, and any past evaluations.
In-depth Analyses of these assessments indicate what areas need improvements and provide insight into dominant learning styles.
our child does the exercises on a schedule we set with you. [Confirm: session length, days per week, and program duration.]
We check progress, encourage steady practice, and change the plan when needed.
We help your child use these skills in reading at school and at home. We also give phonics and decoding help where needed.
You can join us in person in Charlotte or through our online reading intervention. Pick whichever is easier for your family.
Fast ForWord is an adaptive, computer-based reading and language program. Children practice phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. They also practice memory, attention, processing speed, and sequencing.
It is used as part of reading support for children who struggle with reading, including children with dyslexia. It is not a treatment for dyslexia itself. We often pair it with direct phonics and decoding teaching when those fits.
Many children with attention or auditory processing difficulties also struggle with reading and listening. Fast ForWord gives practice in attention and auditory skills that support reading. It is not a treatment for ADHD or auditory processing disorder.
No. Many families come to us because their child struggles with reading. A diagnosis is not required.
Yes. We offer online reading intervention for children. We also offer in-person support for families in Charlotte, NC.
The best first step is a consultation. We will talk about your child's needs. Then we will suggest what makes sense. That may or may not include Fast ForWord.
No. Progress is different for each child. It totally depends on starting skills, how steady the practice is, and what other support is in place. We will set realistic expectations with you from the start.
If your child struggles with reading, we would be glad to help you find the next step. Call EmpowerKidz to book a consultation about Fast ForWord and our reading intervention services in Charlotte, NC and online.
