Marissa Kiepert Truong, Ph.D.
Educational Therapist and Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Where are services offered?
For intervention, services are provided in Dr. Truong's in-home learning space in Paoli. There is a separate client entrance. Online options are available for those not in the area. Comprehensive assessment is only offered in person.
2
How long Are Sessions?
Most sessions are 1-hour in length, but for younger children 45-minute sessions are offered.
3
are groups or classes offered?
Please contact Dr. Truong if you are interested in arranging a group session or class.
4
Is there support for parents?
Dr. Truong offers trainings for parents on a variety of topics related to learning, literacy development, and early childhood education. In addition, she offers advocacy support for families impacted by food allergies.
Parents with children attending sessions receive frequent communication about how they can support children at home and written progress updates.
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If you are in need of more extensive, personalized support through your challenges, contact Dr. Truong about parent coaching.
5
What is the cost of SERVICES? is insurance ACCEPTed? how do I Pay?
It takes time to see progress in reaching individualized goals. Families should understand that for treatment to be most effective, consistency is key and should be willing to commit to the prescribed plan which may consist of a few months or even an entire school year. For children with dyslexia or another learning challenge, multiple sessions per week are often recommended.
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Literacy intervention and Educational Therapy:
individual session - $110;
10-sessions, pay-as-you go - $1,000
10-sessions, prepaid - $950
Monthly, prepaid (8* sessions in 1 month) - $720
*for clients needing intensive intervention more than 8 sessions per month, please contact for a reduced per session rate.
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Evaluation - $100 per hour for testing; $50 per hour for report/analysis
Parenting support - $150 per hour
Consultation - $50 per half hour
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Dr. Truong works with private pay clients only. If your child has a medical diagnosis and intervention/therapeutic services are prescribed, you may be able to submit a form for reimbursement from your insurance. If you are experiencing a financial hardship, please reach out for information about a sliding scale.
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Accepted forms of payment are credit card, Venmo, check or cash.
6
My child was just evaluated by a psychologist, specialist, etc. is your evaluation also needed?
For evaluations completed within the past 6 months, Dr. Truong is happy to review them as well as IEP reports. This information is often extremely useful. If there is sufficient data to help outline a treatment plan, sessions can get started right away! Plans can also be adjusted as needed and there may be need to collect additional data as Dr. Truong begins working with your child.
7
what makes A First foundation's services unique?
Dr. Truong provides treatment when it matters the most - the early years. She specializes specifically in children from birth through the elementary years and has a great depth of understanding surrounding the needs of early childhood and developmentally appropriate practice. She is committed to preventative strategies that minimize the impact of special needs on social-emotional health, overall well-being, and success in life. As a parenting educator, Dr. Truong provides expert guidance while always ensuring parents are included in the process of treatment. As a small private practice, Dr. Truong builds high quality, personalized relationships with her clients. Her focus is on knowing them as individuals and tailoring sessions to their needs. In addition, having a dual background in education and psychology allows Dr. Truong to view her clients from a holistic perspective, recognizing the important interplay between the various developmental domains and the social-emotional elements impacted by learning, developmental or behavioral needs. As a parent of children with disabilities and neurodiverse needs, she has walked in your shoes and can help guide you in your journey based on personal experience, in addition to her training.
8
what is structured literacy?
Structured literacy instruction is an evidence-based approach to teaching literacy that is systematic, explicit, and sequential. It is designed to help students of all ages and abilities develop strong reading and writing skills by teaching them the fundamental components of language, including phonology, phonics, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Structured literacy instruction typically follows a specific sequence of instruction that builds upon previously learned skills. For example, students may start by learning letter-sound correspondences and progress to decoding multisyllabic words and understanding complex sentence structures.
This approach is often used for students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities that affect reading and writing, but it can be beneficial for all learners. By providing a clear and consistent framework for instruction, structured literacy can help students develop a strong foundation of literacy skills that will support them throughout their academic and personal lives.
9
what is the difference between a learning specialist and tutor?
A learning specialist and a tutor are both professionals who work with students to support their learning and academic progress. However, there are some key differences between the two roles.
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Focus: A learning specialist typically works with students who have specific learning challenges or disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences. They have specialized training and expertise in assessing, preventing and remediating learning difficulties. On the other hand, a tutor typically provides academic support in specific subjects, such as math, science, or language arts, to help students improve their grades and better understand the material.
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Scope: A learning specialist takes a holistic approach to address a student's overall learning needs. They may work with the student, their teachers, and parents to develop strategies, accommodations, and interventions to support the student's learning and help them succeed in the classroom. A tutor, on the other hand, typically focuses on providing instruction and practice in a specific subject or skill area.
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Expertise: A learning specialist typically has specialized training, certifications, and experience in working with students who have learning challenges. They may have a deep understanding of different learning styles, instructional methods, and specialized interventions to support students with diverse learning needs. A tutor, on the other hand, may have expertise in a specific subject or skill area and provide targeted instruction and practice in that domain.
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Long-term vs. Short-term: A learning specialist often works with students over an extended period of time to address their ongoing learning challenges and provide continuous support. They may develop and implement individualized learning plans, monitor progress, and make adjustments as needed. A tutor, on the other hand, typically provides short-term support, often focusing on immediate academic needs, such as preparing for a test or completing an assignment.
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10
what Are the benefits of early intervention?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell. Without intervention, dyslexia can have long-term negative effects on a student's academic performance and self-esteem.
Early intervention can foster:
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Improved Reading Skills: Early intervention can help students with dyslexia improve their reading skills. Research has shown that students who receive intervention before the age of 7 tend to make greater progress in reading than those who receive intervention later.
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Increased Self-Esteem: Early intervention can help students with dyslexia build their self-esteem. Struggling with reading and writing can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially for young children. Early intervention can help students feel more confident in their ability to learn and succeed.
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Better Academic Performance: Early intervention can improve a student's overall academic performance. Dyslexia can affect a student's ability to learn in all subjects, not just reading and writing. Early intervention can help students with dyslexia develop the skills they need to succeed in all areas of their academic life.
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Reduced Need for Special Education Services: Early intervention can reduce the need for special education services in the future. With early intervention, students with dyslexia can develop the skills they need to succeed in school and may no longer require special education services later on.
With the right support, students with dyslexia can overcome their reading difficulties and thrive academically and socially.