Profile
Nestled in the charming Gaithersburg area of Montgomery Village, Maryland, Cardinal Reading Strategies stands out as a beacon of educational support for students facing various learning challenges. With a strong foundation in the Orton-Gillingham tradition, our dedicated team at Cardinal Reading Strategies LLC is committed to providing tailored tools, goals, and structured learning experiences for students needing primary instruction or remediation in reading decoding and spelling encoding.
We understand the unique needs of each student and offer personalized family support to ensure a nurturing and effective learning environment. At Cardinal Reading Strategies, expertise in tutoring is combined with a warm, welcoming approach that fosters growth and success for all our students.
About our Tutor(s)
Walter E. Dunson, Ph.D., B.C.A.S.E., is the executive director/founder of Cardinal Reading Strategies LLC. He has nearly thirty years of experience working with students internationally in the areas of language-based learning and language acquisition. Dr. Dunson is an author, a lecturer, a senior literacy consultant and trainer, and a special education advocate who is board-certified by The American Academy of Special Education Professionals (AASEP) and The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). AASEP/NASET members adhere to a strict code of ethics and fulfill continuing education requirements in special education, including evidence-based reading research. Dr. Dunson serves on the NASET/AASEP Advisory Council for Board Certifications and Professional Development. Further, he serves on the editorial board of two peer review journals: the Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP) and Special Education Research, Policy & Practice (SERPP).
A former language training instructor at the Kildonan School in Amenia, NY and the Briarwood School in Houston, TX, Dr. Dunson was mentored through a 2760-hour practicum in the Orton-Gillingham Approach by a founding member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE).
Dr. Dunson is the author of “School Success for Kids with Dyslexia and Other Reading Difficulties” and “The English Code”. He is the co-author of “Understanding Twice Exceptional Learners: Connecting Research to Practice”, and the developer of “Rigor Mortis®”, a web-based, multisensory Orton-Gillingham reading app designed for the Windows operating system.
Certifications
- Certified Orton-Gillingham Practitioner (OGA)
Intervention Approaches Used
- Orton-Gillingham (OG)
- Slingerland Approach
- Seeing Stars (Lindamood-Bell)
- Visualizing and Verbalizing (V/V)
Ages Accepted
- Early Learners (5-6)
- Elementary (7-11)
- Middle School (12-14)
- High School (15-17)
Years of Experience
30 years
School Collaboration
Full Advocacy Services
Parent Involvement Offered
Consultation
Pricing
$90/hour, Private pay only
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Business Hours
What People Say About Us:
Customers find Cardinal Reading Strategies to be a game-changer for struggling readers. Dr.
Dunson’s patience and expertise shine through, resulting in remarkable progress for students with ADHD and dyslexia. Parents are thrilled with the quick improvements in reading, spelling, and comprehension.
A worthwhile investment for sure!