The Dyslexia Institute of America was founded in 1997 by Dr. Elaine B. Jett who studied early childhood education at the University of Illinois. Jett authored three of Sylvan Learning Systems' reading programs, and owned three Sylvan centers. While helping students at Sylvan, she noticed some of them falling through the cracks. She embarked on extensive research to develop a program specifically for people with dyslexia.
The institute's clients undergo a battery of tests, including a screening for dyslexia, before starting therapy. An individualized instruction plan is developed based on test data. The student attends a weekly two-hour session with a therapist for many weeks. Parents are then instructed on therapies to do with their student at home for 20 to 30 minutes a day. After 48 hours of instruction, students are retested and new goals developed. The program's approach typically employs multi-sensory methods to improve cognitive processing and phonological skills.
Graduating students are able to function better in the classroom, and with homework assignments. Memory skills, cognitive processing and phonological skills are typically improved. Students also are able to experience further success in programs such as Sylvan. Adult students improve visual and memory skills, both long- and short-term. Comprehension and spelling skills are also improved.