Updated November 30, 2018
*Disclaimer! This list is updated frequently. It is not a list of all services available in Baton Rouge, just the ones that I know about.
Brenda L. Dawson, Ph.D
Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
11505 Perkins Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. D
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
bldoffice@att.net
Assistive Technology
Cell phone applications
Contact Information: Google SMS, CapturaTalk, Talk to text
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Speech to Text applications built into the phone
Cost: Free
Digitally recorded textbooks and other books
Contact Information:
(Click on "Sign Up" you have to do this to download a form to be signed by a doctor attesting to a print disability (dyslexia))
Cost: Free with doctor’s verification of dyslexia
Digitally recorded textbooks and other books
Contact Information:
Cost: $99 per year
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Speech to text program; get Dragon Home version and previous edition to save money.
Cost: $40-$50
Free Rice
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Vocabulary building
Cost: Free
Graphic Library
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Max Axiom Super Scientist Books
Cost: Varies but can add up; most get through libraries
Khan Academy
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Personalized learning resource for all ages
Cost: Free
Graphic Novels
Contact Information:
(Scroll down and click on : Graphic Novels: Read the Pictures. Also, lists from the American Library Association.)
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Ages 6-12 and up
Cost: Varies
Graphic Classic Novels
Contact Information:
(Books ->Graphic Novels)
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Great for literature books commonly assigned at school
Cost: Varies
That Tutor Guy
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: For math
Cost: Free
Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative
Contact Information: 225.687.5400 ext. 2188 www.laticenters.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Targets all disabilities/ learning difficulties for students enrolled in a Louisiana school
Cost: Free
Read & Write Gold
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Text to speech program and speech to text used mostly by professionals.
Cost: $610
Reading pen/scanners
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Text to speech tool
Cost: $70 - $200
Tablet Computers: Amazon Kindle, iPad Mini, Nexus 7, Windows 8
Contact Information:
(for a review of these electronics)
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Speech to Text
Cost: Varies
Typefaces for Dyslexia
Contact Information: These typefaces are generally easier to read: Trebuchet, Comic Sans, Century Gothic, Arial, Verdana, Calibri (for Microsoft Word). Geneva or Helvetica for Apple products. Also: Lexia Readable, OpenDyslexic, Dyslexie. Font size for all= 12 to 14 point.
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Typefaces
Cost: Ones listed are free.
Microsoft Learning Tools, including Immersive Reader
Contact Information: Already built into cloud-based Microsoft apps like OneNote Online, Word Online, Outlook on the Web. Office Lens for iOS and Microsoft Edge, or Office 365 on your PC
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Immersive reader reads aloud, simultaneous to highlighting text
Cost: Free
Educational Books for Parents and Children
Educational Books for Parents and Children
Contact Information: Barnes and Noble, Amazon
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: For Parents
Cost: $2- $25
The Dyslexic Scholar by Kathleen Nosek
Contact Information: Amazon, used book sellers
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Written in 1995, but still relevant to today
For Parents
Cost: $0.80- $12.70
The Survival Guide for Kids with LD* Learning Differences by Rhoda Cummings, Ed.D.
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Make sure it is the 2016 revision (has two children on the cover)
Cost: Available as ebook from Google Play for $9.99 Or regular book from Free Spirit Publishing for $13.99
What is Dyslexia? A Book Explaining Dyslexia for Kids and Adults to Use Together by Alan M. Hultquist, 2008
I Have Dyslexia. What Does that Mean? by Delaney Dannenberg, 2009
Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) by Margaret Rooke, 2017
Finding My Superpower: A Book for Dyslexic Thinkers by Sarah Prestidge, 2021
The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb, 2017
Magnificent Meg: A Read-Aloud Book to Encourage Children with Dyslexia by Andra Harris, 2020
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia by Tammy Fortune, 2020
Educational Consultants
Georgann Mire, Educational Consultant
Contact Information:
gmire@mireconsulting.net
mireconsulting.net
Cell: (225) 266-1148
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Works with all ages, through college
Cost: Varies
Films
Dyslexia Explained: What’s it like being dyslexic by Nessy Learning Programme
Contact Information: YouTube
Cost: Free
The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
Contact Information: YouTube or Netflix
Cost: YouTube:Free; Netflix: Membership required
TED talks
Contact Information: You Tube; search for Dyslexia topic
Cost: Free
Max Brooks on Growing Up with Dyslexia
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Realistic and sensitive view on what it's like to be dyslexic by the by the author of The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, and others
Cost: Free
Reading Therapy
Access to Better Communication
Contact Information:
Sheran Samuel-Benton, M.A., CCC-SLP
Lisa T. Suire, M.A., CCC-SLP
768 Chevelle Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225.930.0208
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Reading and language therapy ages PK-adult
Social Skills therapy
Cost: Don't know, but they accept most major medical insurance plans
Dynamics Therapy Specialists
Contact Information:
Stacy Levy, M.S., CCC-SLP
Vicki Roy, M.S., CCC-SLP
6605 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225.767.5032
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Reading Intervention, Social Skills Training, Speech-Language Therapy, Hearing Eval, Auditory Processing Interv., Behavior Management, Camp Dynamics, Parent Training and more
Cost: Don’t know, but insurance may cover part or all
Judy David, MA, CCC-SLP
Contact Information:
Chesney Center Therapies
5422 Superior Dr., Ste. B
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225.302.5030
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: All ages. Has some focus in reading comprehension issues
Cost: Varies; May be covered by health insurance
LSU Speech and Hearing Clinic (Auditory Processing Disorders Clinic)
Contact Information:
Hatcher Hall
LSU Campus
225.578.9054
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: School age children
Cost: Varies based on service
LSU Reading Skills Summer Camps
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: K-12
Cost: $249 for ages 4-5 and $299 for all other ages. Early registration get $30 off. Scholarships available based on income
McMains Children’s Developmental Center
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: http://www.mcmainscdc.org/
Cost: Sliding scale. Varies. May be covered by health insurance.
Janet Vosberg - Dyslexia Consultant & Certified Writing Instructor
Contact Information:
IEWSJV@gmail.com
(832) 544-7798
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Research and evidenced based program (Barton) for problems with spelling, reading, and writing. Ages 5 1/2 and up. Twice a week
Cost: $40 per hour
Neurotherapy Specialists, Inc.
Contact Information:
Teri Wilton, L.O.T.R (Director)
Leslie E. Weidman, MS, CCC-SLP
11140 N. Harrell’s Ferry Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225.272.0150
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Reading and language therapy ages PK-adult
Also, physical therapy and occupational therapy
Cost: Varies; May be covered by health insurance
Abilities for Speech and Language
Contact Information:
18268 Petroleum Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.292.4138
Locations in EBR and Livingston parishes
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Speech language therapy, reading therapy, occupational therapy, academic tutoring, social skills
Cost: Varies, may be covered by health insurance
The Emerge Center (formerly Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Association)
Contact Information:
7784 Innovation Park Drive (former GSRI Road)
Baton Rouge, LA 70820
225.343.4232
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: For children and adults
Reading and language therapy
Cost: Varies; Partly funded by United Way
The Learning Advantage
Contact Information:
Tricia J. Sparks
Certified Academic Language Therapist
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Reading therapy
Fancy Phonics, LLC
Schools
St. Michael the Archangel
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Offers programs for students with dyslexia
Cost: About $8,500 per year; don’t know if additional fees for program
Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Franciscan High
Contact Information:
NOTE: Might have to go through the Blessed Margaret of Castello Reach Program
Contact: Bethany Robichaux
225.366.8735
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Offers programs for students with dyslexia
Cost: About $6,000 per year; don’t know if additional fees for program
BRCC, RPCC, etc
Contact Information: BRCC, Rapides Parish Community College, etc.
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: A semester (or more) before college starts make an appointment and get an accommodation plan
Cost: No extra fee
Most Blessed Sacrament
Contact Information: Might have to go through the Blessed Margaret of Castello Reach Program
Contact: Bethany Robichaux
225.336.8735
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Designated for dyslexia in Catholic system, grades K-8
Cost: Catholic school tuition plus might be an additional fee
University View Academy (previously Louisiana Connections Academy)
Contact Information:
(Click "Learn More" for testimonials)
4664 Jamestown Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-421-2900
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Grades K-12. Has dual enrollment classes to get college credit.
Fully accredited. Must have "coach" to supervise--parent or other adult. Social activities available. They accommodate learning disabilities in instruction and testing
Cost: Free! It's a public online charter school.
Other Catholic Elementary Schools-Lab programs
Contact Information: Contact BLESSED MARGARET OF CASTELLO REACH PROGRAM (see below)
Bethany Robichaux
225.366.8735
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Grades k-8 may offer special instruction which takes the place of elective class (es)
Cost: Catholic School tuition plus might be an additional fee
Blessed Margaret of Castello
Contact Information:
Bethany Robichaux, director
225.366.8735
1800 S. Acadian Thruway
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Diocese of Baton Rouge reach program for exceptional students (intellectual disabilities, autism, and dyslexia; they will tell you which school to go to, based on services needed
Cost: $200 assessment fee
Elearningk12
Contact Information:Elearningk12.com
866-477-9444 (toll free)
Locations in Baton Rouge (on Tiger Bend Rd.), Thibodeaux, Houma, Denham Springs, Bayou Blue, Morgan City
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Started by Nancy Toups in Thibodaux in 1999. Brick-and-mortar online learning with support of educational coaches. It has a lot of flexibility and can be tailored to your child's needs.
Cost: Depends on online vs. on site, amount of time you want or number of courses you want, and child's grade in school.
East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools
Contact Information:
for the "School Finder" with info regarding all public schools
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Grades PK-12
Cost: $0 But may need to supplement what they provide with a private speech-language pathologist. Cost about $100 per session. Insurance may cover some.
Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy
Contact Information:
15333 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-293-0141
info@hopeacademybr.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Grades K-12 and special classes through age 21; also serves autism and the intellectually disabled; has Bridges Learning Solutions on campus-do ABA therapy
Cost: $9,500 per year, accepts School Choice and Vouchers
Louisiana Key Academy
Contact Information: Cristy Davidson
3172 Government Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-298-1223
www.lakeyacademy.com
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Public charter academy starting grades K-3 for 2014 and adding one grade per year
*If you look them up on School Find website (louisianaschools.com), it will say rated "F." Misleading--the school does not give the test they use to rate children's progress.
Cost: $0
The Brighton School
Contact Information:
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: K-12 grades; private school dedicated solely to dyslexia and dyslexia related learning differences
Cost: About $12,000 per year.
Mason’s Dyslexia Program
Contact Information: Meets at Blackwater United Methodist Church (in Baker or Central, LA)
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: School age children
Cost: Free, but must commit to attend tutoring sessions
Nicholls State University
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 2087
Thibodaux, LA 70310
985.448.4430
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Has an actual program for students with dyslexia – doesn’t just provide accommodations like most colleges.
Cost: It is a public college, so I don’t think there is a fee
Office for Students with Disabilities
Contact Information: All colleges and universities
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: A semester (or more) before college starts make an appointment and get an accommodation plan
Cost: No extra fee
Other private schools: may accommodate based on severity
Contact Information: The Dunham School and most Christian schools do what they can with their resources
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Must supplement their regular education with privately paid tutoring, not usually included in tuition.
Cost: Varies
Jump Start Academy
Contact Information: Home school in Prairieville, LA (used to be located in Baton Rouge)
Jump Start Academy
36367 Perkins Road
Prairieville, La
Laurie Stockwell
225-235-6381
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Grades K-8
Cost: About $1,100 per month
Social Agencies
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge
Contact Information: Karen Shupe
2356 Drusilla Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.216.7474
www.fhfgbr.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Targets all disabilities and all ages
Cost: Free
Families Helping Families of Jefferson
Contact Information: 201 Evans Road, Building 1, Suite 100
Harahan, LA 707123
504.888.9111 http://fhfjefferson.org/laptic
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Targets all disabilities and all ages
Cost: Free
Louisiana CPRC
Contact Information: 3132 Napoleon Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70125
504.218.8922 www.pyramidparentcenter.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Provides information and training on special education and disability legislation
Cost: Free
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services Baton Rouge
Contact Information: 3651 Cedarcrest Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225.295.8900
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Contact them a year before graduation to see if your child is eligible for any assistance from them by way of money for college or technical training, equipment, or job training
Cost: No fee, but may be difficult to qualify
Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program
Contact Information: 225.275.0668
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Provide diagnostic evaluations and treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities
Cost: Varies
Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services
Contact Information: www.GCSSLA.org
5850 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225.201-0696
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Social services organization in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for children to elderly with developmental disabllities. Other programs through them as well.
Cost: Not aware of a cost involved
Testing and Therapy
Brenda L. Dawson, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Contact Information: Bldoffice@att.net
11505 Perkins Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. D
Baton Rouge, LA 70810-9103
225.763.2400
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Evaluation/testing for dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD/ADD, Autism, Asperger’s, Depression, Anxiety
Therapy for depression, anxiety, anger, and stress
Ages 4-18
Cost: Testing: Full evaluation is $1,425 (with no insurance)
Insurance often covers at least part of the cost.
Therapy: $150 per hour, but insurance usually covers all except deductible/co-pay.
John Brun, Ph.D., D.Litt., Clinical Psychologist
Contact Information: 225-766-2822
7510 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Provides psychological evaluations for children/adolescents
Cost: Evaluation: $1775.00
Insurance not accepted
Mary Lou Kelley, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Contact Information: mkelley@lsu.edu
7936 Wrenwood Boulevard, Ste. B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.925.2036
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: All types of learning and developmental disorders
Cost: Intake is $200 and $150 thereafter
Alyson McCain, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Contact Information: 8235 YMCA Plaza Drive, Ste 401, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
225 767-3121
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: All types of learning and developmental disorders
Cost: Testing: Don't know
Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana
Contact Information: Dr. Jennifer Volz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP
4611 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.926.7500
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Works with children experiencing academic difficulties from ages 2-18. Also offers parent and teacher training
Cost: Private Pay
William B. Daigle, Ph.D., LLC
Contact Information: 7470 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225.615.8032
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Learning disabilities, ADHD, Mental illness
Cost: Testing: Psychological evaluation: $1,505.00
Counseling: $130/45-50 minute session
Websites
Understood.org
Contact Information: http://www.understood.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Group of 15 non-profits offer advice on learning and attention issues. I like "Through Your Child's Eyes" segment to build empathy and understanding.
Cost: Free
International Dyslexia Association, Louisiana Branch
Contact Information: http://www.ladyslexia.com/
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Information sheets regarding dyslexia
Cost: Registering for online newsletter is free. Joining costs about $45
LD Online
Contact Information: LDOnline.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Web based newsletter with good advice and updates
Cost: Free; They send each issue to your email, if you sign up
Reach Out and Read
Contact Information: ReachOutandRead.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Web based for all ages
Cost: Free
Reading Rockets
Contact Information: Readingrockets.org
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Web based, all ages
Cost: Free
Story Online
Contact Information: Storylineonline.net (and check out the story, “Thank You, Mr. Falker”.) Stories are read by recognizable actors from the Screen Actors Guild (such as Betty White, James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner and many more)
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: About ages 3-12
Cost: Free
Yale University Website
Contact Information: Dyslexia.yale.edu
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: All ages. Information from some leading researchers
Cost: Free
Greater Baton Rouge Learning Disabilities Coalition
Contact Information: Ldhelp.org; Also a Facebook page
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Local grassroots group of educators, psychologists, and language therapists
Cost: Free Annual One-Day Conference usually in January or February, for parents
Best Colleges Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities
Contact Information: www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-planning-with-learning-disabilities/
Disability Targeted/Services Offered: Good advice for obtaining accommodations in college, scholarships available for students with learning disabilities, smart phone apps
Cost: Free