All students can benefit from our program

Students who are struggling with reading difficulties or who are behind in reading skills receive all the word attack skills they need to become confident, successful readers. Typically students gain 2-5 grade levels in 30-60 hours of instruction!

Students with learning or reading disabilities receive help even when other methods have failed. Every Child Can Read means exactly that! Children diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, auditory processing deficit, short-term memory deficit, poor working memory, autism including Asperger syndrome, stroke, developmental delay, fetal drug and alcohol syndrome, savant syndrome and Tourette syndrome have all benefited remarkably from our program. If they can speak reasonably well, they can learn to read, as can those with speech impairments.*

Beginning readers receive an unparalleled foundation for reading success. They often become leaders in their classes and schools. Because of our unique instruction methods, many students avoid future reading difficulties and “disabilities” due to standard reading instructional techniques.

Students who are insecure and have self-esteem issues related to school work find a new start, renewed self-esteem, confidence, and exceptional success in reading. This translates to a new love for school and learning that some parents have called a “miracle!”

Good readers who want to excel are equipped to become the best they can possibly be in today’s competitive world.

* A small percentage of students will never read fluently due to atypical neurological development or extensive brain trauma from accidents, surgery, disease or other severe learning disabilities, but even they will advance to the upper limits of their capacities.

Results are dramatic

In the last 4 years our graduates have gained an average of 3.7 grade levels in as little as 30-60 hours of instruction! The Academic Associates Reading Program produces consistent and outstanding results for those wishing to excel, as well as those having problems with reading. It empowers students to decode the 1,000,000+ words in English. Most reading difficulties can be traced back to insufficient decoding skills. If a child cannot decode the words, he or she cannot read. If it takes considerable effort to decode, then fluency and comprehension suffer. We give these students all the word attack skills they need to become effective and competent readers.

Students will be guided through a complete course in reading. They will progress step by step through all the levels necessary to read competently and comprehend on a level at least as high as their appropriate school grade level. The program has two components. The first teaches students to read written words with fluency, and the second develops comprehension and proper reading habits. Part two is begun while part one is in progress.

One-on-One Instruction

Children, teens, and adults are taught as individuals with one-on-one instruction by patient, sympathetic Reading Instruction Specialists in a warm homelike environment. They are never blamed or embarrassed for their reading difficulties. Students blossom as old barriers and limitations crumble. Self-confidence escalates rapidly as their abilities increase.

Founder and President

Cliff Ponder, an elementary school principal and teacher for 20 years, was frustrated that large numbers of students couldn’t learn to read. After leaving school administration, he discovered some exciting new research on the neural architecture of the brain and began developing a logical, step-by-step method of teaching reading that would work in harmony with the brain. Called the Academic Associates Reading Course, it has helped thousands of students of all ages in hundreds of schools and learning centers around the world, Today, with over 50 years of experience as an educator, Cliff Ponder is widely recognized as the world’s leading authority on reading instruction.

Owners Academic Associates Reading Clinic, Roselle, IL

Steve Blaha has years of experience as principal and teacher in public and private schools. Robin Blaha has been involved with educating children, as well as teens, in private school and foster care settings. They both home schooled their children. Steve and Robin have seen firsthand the disadvantages for those who struggle with reading and are delighted to be able to share the excellence and success the Academic Associates Reading Course can bring. They have both completed specialized training and are certified Reading Instruction Specialists.

---

“Skeptical-that was me a year ago when I walked into the office of Academic Associates. My son like many children in the world struggled with reading. M. was in first grade and was barely reading at kindergarten level. In less than one year, M. is now reading at 4th grade level. More important than that, he is retaining what he is reading. Grateful, thankful-that is me now after I have walked into the office of Academic Associates. So grateful in fact that I now have my fifth grader going through the program so he too can learn how to read the correct way!”   Sincerely, The Thomas L. Family, Schaumburg, IL

---