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CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES


“A teacher’s time is valuable - ASDEC’s training provides practical approaches and activities that can be instantly applied to the classroom. An invaluable and effective approach to teacher training that positively impacts our students.”

- Jilly Darefsky, School Director, The Siena School, Silver Spring, Maryland  

GRADUATE CREDIT FROM TRINITY UNIVERSITY IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS 

Multisensory Math Certification

Teaching Level Practitioner in Multisensory Math: Level 1

ASDEC’s teaching level certification in Multisensory Math is designed for educational professionals working with students in the classroom as well as those who work with students in small groups or one-to-one.

The Multisensory Math Program is an outgrowth of an effort to apply strategies from evidence based reading instruction to conceptually based mathematics instruction.  It is truly Orton-Gillingham based math instruction.  While the methods were originally created to meet the needs of diverse learners, they do meet current evidence supporting instruction for all learners.  In fact, more and more curricula suggest using manipulatives to guide concept development.  The difference with this program is the emphasis on the instructional language.  For some students, the language of instruction is the critical link to concept formation and the development of skills toward application. Multisensory Math Certification assures that teachers have mastered the Concrete-Representational-Abstract Instructional Sequence and explicit language to make math concepts memorable.

ASDEC is the only accredited training center in the nation that offers certification in Therapy and Practitioner Level Academic Language as well as Practitioner Level multisensory math. Our extensive cross-disciplinary professional development expertise assures deep skills-based training that benefits all learners but is essential for dyslexic students.

Accreditation through the International Multisensory Language Education Council (IMSLEC) ensures that teachers are receiving an approved curriculum that meets the needs of learners at all levels.  In 2012, IMSLEC was one of two organizations in the US to receive the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) endorsement for meeting teacher training standards in reading. The IDA standards provide a comprehensive, research-supported documentation of what every teacher needs to know and be able to demonstrate, whether they are teaching students with dyslexia, other struggling readers, or the general student population (Interdys.org).

Academic Language Therapy Certification Program

As an IMSLEC accredited training center, ASDEC certifies Academic Therapists in Sounds In Syllables, one of the most powerful Orton-Gillingham-based approaches to teaching reading (decoding, fluency, and comprehension), spelling, and the foundations of syntax and grammar.  Experienced ASDEC faculty deliver in-depth training courses that prepare Academic Therapists to work one on one or in small groups with students.

Unlike many training programs that simply train in methodology, ASDEC interns learn and practice the multisensory language procedures in the
Sounds In Syllables Curriculum.

Academic Therapists train for over two years at ASDEC to achieve national recognition as Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT).  The exam provides a measure of an individual’s knowledge of and skills in Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) and verifies that the individual has achieved the highest level of competency in the field of dyslexia education. Nine standards are evaluated on the exam:

  • Knowledge of language development
  • Knowledge of the structure of the language
  • Knowledge of dyslexia, written language disorders, and other related disorders
    Knowledge of psycho-educational tests and informal assessments
  • Knowledge of diagnostic and prescriptive MSL strategies to improve reading, spelling, and written expression
  • Knowledge of relevant research in instructional practice
  • Knowledge of 504 and IDEA to guide professional conduct and advocacy for students
  • Knowledge of ethical standards of the profession
  • Awareness of effective professional written and oral communication with parents, colleagues, and other professionals.

  • Therapy Level Practicum Requirements

    Therapists must complete 200 class hours and 700 practicum teaching hours under the supervision of ASDEC faculty. This supervised teaching enables interns to apply the lessons learned in their classes to actual teaching sessions with students under the careful guidance of master teachers. This core element of ASDEC’s training program explains why our therapeutic approach is so successful, especially for those students who may have failed to learn under other specialized programs.

    Upon completion of the practicum, Certified Academic Therapists are eligible to sit for the Alliance National Exam, which qualifies them as a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). The denotation of CALT identifies the individual as a member of the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) and verifies that the individual has achieved the highest level of competency in the field of dyslexia education.

    ASDEC offers the only nationally certified Academic Therapy training program in the Washington, DC area. Our certified teachers and therapists work with children and adults with learning differences, assisting them with reading, writing, spelling, study skills, and executive function skills.

    Requirements

    •  Degree: Bachelor’s required, Master’s Required as of 2023
    •  Courses: 200 hours (four courses)
    •  Practicum: 700 hours
    •  Direct observations: 20
    •  CEUs: 30 hours/3 years

    Therapy Level Certification
    Academic Therapists complete 200 hours of graduate-level coursework and receive 700 hours of supervised teaching. Those seeking national recognition as Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) are eligible to sit for the ALTA exam. The exam provides a measure of an individual’s knowledge of and skills in Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) and verifies that the individual has achieved the highest level of competency in the field of dyslexia education. Full certification takes a minimum of two years to complete.

    Required Courses and Sequence

    • Language 1: Sounds in Syllables Multisensory Structured Language Education
    • Neuro-psychology of Learning Differences and Disorders
    • Language 2: Advanced Mutlisensory Structured Language Education
    • Language 3:  Upper Level MSLE plus grammar and writing
    • Participants may earn 3 graduate credits for each of these courses from Trinity University Washington.

    Practicum Requirements

    • Two full years (20 months) of supervised teaching practicum,
    • Minimum 700 hours of supervised teaching of at least three students with 20 observation reports,
    • Summer Intensive Practicum (a Summer program of supervised instruction) or 80  hours of pro bono academic therapy,
    • Supervised Teaching Meetings: 20 Monthly meetings 

Academic Language Practitioner: Next Course August 2023

ASDEC is proud to partner with Frederick County Public Schools to deliver train Academic Language Practitioners (CALP). Classroom teachers and reading specialists who complete the ASDEC course, Language Foundations, and a 9-month supervision practicum are eligible to sit for the Alliance National Exam, which qualifies them as a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP). The denotation of CALP identifies the individual as a member of the Academic Language Therapy Association and verifies that the individual has achieved the Teaching level of competency in the field of dyslexia education.

Supervision practicums for both Therapy and Practitioner Levels are available online. Contact [email protected] for information.

Practitioner Level Training Requirements

After completing the structured literacy course course, interns must enter a practicum of supervised teaching.   

All candidates applying for ALTA Certification at the Practitioner level must fulfill the following requirements:

One: Have an updated file with ASDEC that includes the following:

  • updated resume and
  • a copy of the intern’s college diploma for the highest attained degree or final transcript.

Two: Have completed the following:

  • Structured Literacy Course (35 hours);
  • Two Language  Workshops (10 hours)
  • Regular attendance at nine consecutive months of supervision meetings (with break for summer if relevant);
  • Nine lesson plans and questions related to instruction submitted prior to monthly meetings;
  • 100 teaching hours of MSLE instruction;
  • Five observations submitted to supervisor either on-site or recorded; and
  • Positive Evaluations from Supervisor.

Three: Demonstrate growth in automaticity in all structured procedures as detailed in the Language Foundations curriculum and have the competencies, as evidenced in written evaluations, to practice independently as a Teaching Specialist.


Career Possibilities

Certified Academic Therapists enjoy a range of career possibilities earning excellent wages while enjoying flexible schedules as follows:

Private Practice

Many certified ATs establish their own private practice. ASDEC refers students to our certified ATs.

Supervisor
Certified ATs may join ASDEC’s Supervisory team after completing a six-month internship. Supervisors meet with Academic Therapy interns two times per month and conduct videotaped observations.

Qualified Instructor
Certified ATs who have a master’s degree may join the ASDEC faculty as Qualified Instructors after completing three years as an AT, delivering 1400 hours of academic therapy, and teaching a multisensory Language Education Course (MSLE) course under supervision. Instructors also deliver workshops in the Washington area as well as throughout the country.



ASDEC - Dyslexia Therapy, Training, and Parent Advocacy

17 West Jefferson Street, Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 301-762-2414
Email: [email protected]

Copyright ©2019. ASDEC All rights reserved.


ASDEC is accredited by the International Mulitsensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC), one of two organizations in the US to receive the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) endorsement for meeting teacher training standards in reading.


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