FAQs

At 3LI, we provide therapy services to preschoolers through adults who have difficulties with producing speech sounds correctly, understanding and using spoken language (e.g., vocabulary knowledge, using correct grammar, drawing inferences, understanding nonliteral language), learning to read, learning to spell, reading fluently, reading comprehension, writing, and studying . The bulk of our clients have challenges with reading, writing, and spelling, and many carry a diagnosis of dyslexia.

A developmental language disorder is diagnosed when a person has substantial difficulty in understanding and/or expressing language (spoken and/or written). These difficulties must be significantly impacting a person’s ability to successfully communicate, and they are not the result of learning a new language. In other words, someone who has strong communication skills in his/her native language but weak communication skills in his/her non-native language, would not meet the criteria for a language disorder. A person of any age can be diagnosed with a language disorder. Some examples of difficulties that can be signs of a language disorder are listed below, but not all of these difficulties need to be present in order to receive a diagnosis of a language disorder.

• Delayed onset of babbling or first words.
• Limited vocabulary or trouble learning vocabulary.
• Trouble retrieving or finding words.
• Difficulties in understanding or using nonliteral language (e.g., metaphors, idioms, proverbs, sarcasm) and/or abstract language (i.e., words or expressions that are not easily defined).
• Problems with understanding or using complex grammatical structures.
• Trouble with formulating sentences, telling stories, explaining procedures.
• Difficulties with pre-literacy skills (e.g., phonological and phonemic awareness, print awareness).
  • Trouble with recognizing and learning letter names and/or sounds.
  • Trouble with rhyming.
  • Trouble with perceiving sounds or discriminating between sounds.
• Difficulties with word reading and/or spelling; reading text fluently (i.e., with appropriate rate, accuracy, and intonation); and/or problems with reading comprehension.
• Problems with writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, mechanics – punctuation and capitalization, knowing how to get started, getting thoughts/ideas on paper, organizing ideas at the sentence-, paragraph-, and whole-document- levels).
• Problems with social aspects of language.
  • Appropriately entering into conversations, maintaining topics, changing topics, terminating conversations.
  • Awareness and understanding of others’ perspectives.
  • Using appropriate tone and word choices for given audience.
  • Ability to recognize and respond to conversational cues (when a conversational partner needs clarification, wants to end conversation, etc.).

Yes. Both Drs. Katz and Pierson are qualified to diagnose dyslexia as well as a variety of language and literacy disorders in both children and adults.

Yes. We are experts in reading disorders, including dyslexia. Please see our Therapy page for more information about our intervention services.

We do not administer IQ tests and are not psychologists, so we do not assess for broader learning disabilities (including dyscalculia/math difficulties), ADHD, or social/emotional disorders. Additionally, we do not diagnose autism/autism spectrum disorders.

If you have questions about whether 3LI is the right place for you/your child to be evaluated, we are happy to have a brief phone conversation with you at no charge. If we are not well suited for you/your child’s needs, we will refer you to other professionals in the area who are.

Yes. We do provide individualized therapy services to those who have learning disabilities (LDs). In fact, it is estimated that approximately 80% of LDs are “language based,” meaning that the difficulties experienced by these individuals involve understanding, speaking, reading, and/or writing. These are exactly the kinds of difficulties that we address.

We do not currently provide intervention in the area of math.

Dr. Katz and Dr. Pierson are certified speech-language pathologists with particular expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of language, reading, and writing disorders. We conduct comprehensive assessments and diagnose language, reading, and writing disorders, including dyslexia. 3LI does not provide neuropsychological testing but will provide appropriate referrals for such testing.

Yes. In some cases, trouble with producing speech sounds is very limited, and the individual will either grow out of the problem without intervention or will need some intervention in order to correct the productions. In other cases, problems with speech-sound production can be more severe and can interfere with learning to read and spell.

In some cases, yes. There are specific early literacy skills (e.g., phonological awareness, print awareness, letter/sound identification, etc.) that can be examined in pre-school children that can suggest a risk for developing a reading disorder. When parents and teachers have concerns about preschool children’s later literacy skills, it is important to also evaluate their broader spoken language skills. Evidence clearly shows that spoken language disorders can develop into written language disorders (reading and writing disorders) without early identification and proper intervention. If there are concerns about a toddler or preschooler’s spoken language skills, it is important to have them evaluated sooner rather than later. Spoken language skills, including a child’s understanding and use of vocabulary, length of utterances, ability to follow directions, and ability to tell stories can be formally assessed in preschool and can provide important information about their language functioning and their risk for developing reading disorders.

Yes. Unfortunately, language and literacy disorders are often persistent, and as academic demands increase, more difficulties can manifest. We provide comprehensive assessments as well as individualized therapy services to adolescents who are struggling with language, reading, and/or writing demands. We believe in developing strong partnerships with our adolescent (and adult) clients so that their goals and priorities are taken into consideration. Additionally, although we are not tutors, we recognize their overwhelming academic demands, and we try to incorporate their academic materials into our therapy sessions so that they can see the relevance of the work we are doing and so that there can be better generalization of skills and strategies.

Yes. We welcome adults who are just encountering literacy and/or language difficulties for the first time or those who have a history of literacy, language, and/or learning difficulties. Dr. Katz has worked extensively with college students and non-student adults both clinically and as part of her research program. We can conduct formal assessments and provide individualized therapy for adults with literacy, language, and/or learning difficulties.

We do provide literacy and language assessments and therapy for children and adults already identified with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, we do not have the professional expertise needed to provide high-quality services to children with autism, nor do we have the expertise needed to diagnose ASD. If you are in need of a recommendation for someone who does provide high-quality services to this population, we are happy to recommend some providers in the area.

We do not accept insurance; however, we can provide you with the labels and codes necessary to file for reimbursement on your own.

Yes. Please reach out by phone or email to talk with us about your needs. Drs. Katz and Pierson very regularly attend school meetings, including 504 Plan meetings and IEP meetings, to support families and school teams in their efforts to develop instructional practices and supports that will optimize progress and increase confidence in students.

Yes. Please reach out by phone or email to talk with us about your needs. Drs. Katz and Pierson meet with families for all kinds of guidance — next steps with a new diagnosis, interpreting school documents or private evaluations, making recommendations for in-school and/or private intervention, making recommendations for school accommodations, considerations around changing schools.

Yes. Please reach out by phone or email to talk with us about your needs. Drs. Katz and Pierson have worked with many school districts to provide IEEs when requested.