Frequently Asked Questions

Above all, the Vital Minds tutors find immense joy in helping children strengthen their skills and build confidence. More than a profession, their work is a calling—driven by a deep belief in every student’s ability to succeed. Many bright students struggle not because of a lack of potential, but because they haven’t yet been taught in a way that matches how their brain learns best.

Vital Minds uses a research-based, evidence-backed system specifically designed for students with dyslexia and those who experience challenges in reading, spelling, and writing. Our tutors' specialized training ensures that each session is rooted in proven instructional methods and tailored to the unique needs of every learner.

No. A formal diagnosis is not required to begin tutoring; however, students should demonstrate noticeable difficulties with reading and spelling. Before starting the Barton Reading and Spelling System, we conduct a brief 10-minute screening to assess whether the student’s foundational skills are ready for the program. If a student does not pass this initial screening, we recommend completing the LiPS program. The screening helps us determine the most appropriate starting point for each student’s learning journey.

If you are considering pursuing a formal diagnosis, we recommend initiating that process prior to beginning tutoring, as the instruction provided may influence assessment results.

Contact us to learn more.

At Vital Minds, we utilize the Barton Reading & Spelling System, developed by Susan Barton. This multi-sensory, direct, explicit, structured, and sequential program is designed specifically for intensive intervention and remediation.

Visit BartonReading.com to learn more about the curriculum.

 To begin the Barton program, a student must:

• Be at least 5 years old and enrolled in kindergarten or beyond (Barton is effective for children, teenagers, and adults)
• Speak and comprehend English
• Pass the Barton Student Screening administered by Vital Minds

Every student is different, but for many, it can take between one and three years to achieve reading and spelling skills at grade level.

You can expect to see an initial boost in confidence within the first month or two. By the completion of Level 6, parents often report significant and lasting improvements in their child’s reading and spelling skills.

Important: There is no quick fix for dyslexia. Progress varies depending on the severity of the dyslexia, the frequency of tutoring or intervention, and individual factors. 

On average, it can take up to three years for a student with dyslexia to complete the entire Barton Reading & Spelling System, assuming tutoring sessions are held twice a week for one hour. However, this timeline varies for each individual, as every student learns differently. Students with mild dyslexia may progress more quickly, while those with more profound dyslexia might require additional time to complete the program.

Increasing the frequency of tutoring sessions, such as meeting three or more times per week, can help shorten the time needed to finish the program.

Visit the Downloads section below for a roadmap of the curriculum.

At Vital Minds, we prioritize building a strong foundation in reading and spelling skills before offering homework assistance. Offering homework help too early can unintentionally reinforce ineffective habits and slow progress. 

The Barton Reading & Spelling System provides a structured, step-by-step approach designed to help students master essential rules, patterns, and strategies. Once a student has completed the program, we are happy to support them with homework. Until then, our focus remains on developing the skills they need to succeed independently.

1. Consistency is key. Stick to one reading intervention program.
2. Increase tutoring sessions during the summer to prevent losing progress.
3. Talk to your school officials about classroom accommodations.
4. Read to your child every night or encourage them to listen to audiobooks.
5. Consider typing notes to your student instead of writing by hand.
6. Encourage them to develop their strengths.
7. Educate yourself on dyslexia.

See the Downloads section below for more information.

One of the most common reasons students feel uncertain about tutoring, aside from working with a new instructor, is a lack of self-confidence. At Vital Minds, we prioritize maintaining a positive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of age. Our primary goal is to build their confidence, which not only enhances the effectiveness of our sessions but also accelerates their progress.

For younger students or those needing extra motivation, we implement a customized reward system. Students earn stamps for maintaining focus during sessions, which they can redeem for prizes tailored to their age and interests at the end of each session.

Helpful links include:
www.BrightSolutions.US or www.BartonReading.com

Dyslexia-friendly fonts are designed with specific characteristics to enhance readability for individuals with dyslexia. These fonts prioritize clear letter shapes, ample spacing, and consistent letterforms to minimize visual confusion and improve reading fluency. 

Key Characteristics of Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts:

Sans-serif:

Fonts without decorative serifs (small strokes at the end of letter lines) are generally preferred as they can appear less cluttered and easier to distinguish. 

Clear Letter Shapes:

Letters should have distinct features, avoiding shapes that are easily confused with others (e.g., "b" and "d"). 

Adequate Spacing:

Sufficient spacing between letters and words helps prevent crowding and overlapping, making it easier to discern individual characters.

Consistent Letter Height:

Consistent height across letters minimizes the tendency to flip or rotate letters, which can be a challenge for some dyslexic readers. 

Open and Rounded Shapes:

Open shapes in letters like "c", "e", and "a" can improve clarity 

and distinguishability. 

Heavier Letter Weights:

Bolder or heavier fonts can make letters stand out more, 

improving recognition. 

Clear Ascenders and Descenders:

Prominent ascenders (parts of letters that extend upwards, like the top of "b") and descenders (parts that extend downwards, like the tail of "g") can aid in letter identification. 

Monospacing:

While less common, monospace fonts where each letter takes up the same amount of horizontal space can also be helpful. 

Non-Italic or Oblique:

Slanted or italicized fonts can be more difficult to read, so upright fonts are generally preferred. 

Note: Vital Minds branding uses the fonts Open Dyslexic and Poppins. See the downloads section below for more information.

Please contact us for more information!