Is Lindamood Bell Worth the Money?

Inside: Many parents consider paying for Lindamood Bell programs to help their kids read. But, is it worth the money?

Several years ago, my cousins sent their then 8-year-old child to a Lindamood Bell summer program. I was already a working IEP advocate at that point, so I was anxious to ask them–Is Lindamood Bell Worth the Money?

First, their scenario is not every family’s scenario. Financially, they are well off due to inheritances. They also were sending all 3 of their kids to private school, and private schools do not have to provide special education.

Additionally, one parent’s lineage has a ton of significant dyslexia in it. Dyslexia that was adequately addressed because it’s that same branch of the family that has the income to just “handle it” rather than deal with school BS.

So when this particular child began showing signs as a struggling reader, both parents had a hunch of exactly what they were dealing with and could immediately begin seeking help. So they did.

Lindamood-Bell is a popular reading program that claims to help struggling readers improve their reading skills. However, the high cost of the program has left many parents wondering if it is worth the investment. The program uses a multisensory approach to teaching, which involves engaging multiple senses to help students make connections between sounds, letters, and words.

Despite the program’s popularity, some parents and educators remain skeptical about its effectiveness. While some students have shown significant improvement after completing the program, others have not seen the same results.

Additionally, the high cost of the program has left many families struggling to afford it. As a result, many parents are left wondering if Lindamood-Bell is worth the investment.

What is Lindamood Bell?

Lindamood Bell is a well-known reading intervention program that has been around for over 30 years. The program is designed to help struggling readers of all ages improve their reading skills by addressing the underlying cognitive processes that are necessary for reading comprehension.

Lindamood Bell is a multisensory reading program that uses a structured and progressive approach to teach reading skills. The program was designed as a therapeutic intervention for children with severe language processing disabilities, including dyslexia, cognitive deficits, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

The program uses a variety of techniques to help students make connections between sounds, letters, and words. It is highly structured and moves at the pace of the child. The program is designed to be individualized to the specific needs of each student, and it is delivered one-on-one by a trained instructor.

How does Lindamood Bell work?

Lindamood Bell uses a variety of techniques to help students improve their reading skills. The program is based on the idea that reading comprehension is a complex process that involves multiple cognitive processes, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The program is designed to address each of these processes individually, and then integrate them into a cohesive whole. The program uses a variety of multisensory techniques to help students make connections between sounds, letters, and words. These techniques include visualizing and verbalizing, symbol imagery, and concept imagery.

Is Lindamood Bell effective?

The effectiveness of Lindamood Bell has been the subject of much debate. While some studies have shown that the program can be effective for improving reading skills, others have shown little to no improvement.

It is important to note that Lindamood Bell is a relatively expensive program, and it may not be accessible to all families. Additionally, the program requires a significant time commitment, as it is typically delivered one-on-one over a period of several months.

Overall, the effectiveness of Lindamood Bell may depend on a variety of factors, including the specific needs of the student, the quality of the instructor, and the level of parental involvement.

How much does Lindamood Bell cost?

When speaking with my cousins about this, they complained about the cost quite a bit. They also complained about “having to give up the whole summer” because the child was signed up for an intensive 5-week summer program.

Honestly, if there was a 5 week program that I could afford, that would essentially “fix” my son’s main struggles in life…WHERE DO I SIGN UP?

Lindamood Bell is a private tutoring service that offers a range of programs for children with learning difficulties. The cost of their programs varies depending on the specific needs of the child and the length of the program.

According to third-party websites, the cost of the program could range from $95 to $115 per hour/session or about $2,100 per week, with a commitment of about 20 hours a week and 12 weeks in total. These are the prices that I can find online.

The cost of the program can quickly add up, making it unaffordable for some families.

Can I get Lindamood Bell on an IEP?

Most parents I know in my IEP space buzz about “wilson” but I rarely hear parents asking for LMB.

In my experience, that is partially because LMB seems to be more of a West Coast thing (and I’m on the east coast).

In my experience Lindamood Bell is more expensive than Wilson.

And, what a lot of parents don’t understand is that when it comes to IEPs, it’s easy to prove that what you’re asking for, is FAPE for your child.

However, you also have to prove that what the school district is offering is not FAPE for your child.

That’s harder to do. And it can take longer, and require more advocacy experience.

I also find that LMB instructors are easier to find and hire, compared to Wilson instructors.

All of these things add up to–I see Wilson and OG on IEPs more frequently than I see LMB.

You can ask for Lindamood Bell on an IEP. But you’re going to have to have data that says your child requires this to learn to read, and that they should not be expected to learn to read via the program the school district is offering.

That will take some advanced advocacy skills (and another reason why you should take my online training!).

Are there any financial assistance options?

Lindamood Bell understands that the cost of their programs can be a significant barrier for some families. As a result, they offer some financial assistance options to help make their services more accessible.

One option is to apply for their scholarship program. The scholarship program is designed to provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford the full cost of the program. The scholarship amount varies depending on the family’s financial need and the availability of funds.

Another option is to use a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) to pay for the program. These accounts allow families to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses, including educational programs like Lindamood Bell.

What do customers say about Lindamood Bell?

Lindamood Bell has a reputation for being expensive, but many parents and students believe that the cost is worth it. According to a review on Yelp, one parent said that Lindamood Bell was a “godsend” for their dyslexic daughter.

One parent said:

Lindamood-Bell has been transformative for my daughter, and for my family. The people at LB have been able to zero in on what my daughter’s challenges actually are, and provide appropriate instruction to effectively address those challenges. I highly recommend LB. it is an investment, but worth every penny!

Parent review of LMB

The program is intensive and requires a lot of hours and money, but the parent claimed that it was worth it. Another parent on the same site said that their son made immense progress in just nine weeks of attending Lindamood Bell, progress that they believe they could not have accomplished on their own.

Are there any success stories?

The U.S. Department of Education conducted research that found potential positive effects of Lindamood Bell on reading ability.

One mother described her experience with Lindamood Bell in a testimonial video on the company’s website.

She had been misdiagnosed as having an intellectual disability, but after attending Lindamood Bell, she was able to read at grade level.

Overall, there are many success stories and positive reviews of Lindamood Bell. While the cost may be high, many believe that the results are worth it.

What are some alternative programs to Lindamood Bell?

There are several alternative programs to Lindamood Bell that parents and educators can consider. These programs are designed to help struggling readers improve their reading skills. Here are a few examples:

• Orton-Gillingham Approach: This approach is a multisensory, structured language program that teaches students how to read, write, and spell. It focuses on the phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills that are necessary for reading success.
• Wilson Reading System: This program is based on the Orton-Gillingham Approach and is designed to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It includes a multisensory, structured language curriculum that teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills.
• Barton Reading and Spelling System: This program is designed to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It includes a multisensory, structured language curriculum that teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills.

How do these programs compare to Lindamood Bell?

All of these alternative programs use a multisensory, structured language approach to teaching reading. They focus on the same skills that Lindamood Bell does: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

However, each program has its own unique features and may be more or less effective for different students.

For example, the Orton-Gillingham Approach is a highly structured program that is designed to be used with individual students or small groups. It is very effective for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, but it may not be the best choice for students who do not have these specific challenges.

The Wilson Reading System is also based on the Orton-Gillingham Approach, but it includes some additional features, such as a computer-based program for practicing reading skills.

This program may be a good choice for students who are comfortable using technology and need additional practice with reading skills.

The Barton Reading and Spelling System is similar to the other programs, but it includes some additional features, such as a focus on spelling skills. This program may be a good choice for students who struggle with spelling as well as reading.

Overall, there are several alternative programs to Lindamood Bell that parents and educators can consider. Each program has its own unique features, and it is important to choose the program that is best suited to the individual needs of the student.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lindamood-Bell

What is the Lindamood-Bell method?

The Lindamood-Bell method is a multisensory approach to learning that uses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic/tactile modalities to teach reading, spelling, and language comprehension. It is based on the premise that individuals learn best when all of their senses are engaged in the learning process.

Is Lindamood-Bell effective for improving reading skills?

According to the Lindamood-Bell website, their programs have been shown to be effective in improving reading skills, including phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. However, it is important to note that individual results may vary, and that the effectiveness of the program may depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the individual’s reading difficulties, their motivation, and the quality of instruction.

What is the cost of Lindamood-Bell training for teachers?

The cost of Lindamood-Bell training for teachers varies depending on the program and the level of training. According to the Lindamood-Bell website, the cost of their teacher training programs ranges from $1,200 to $6,000 per person.

Are there scholarships available for Lindamood-Bell programs?

The answer is–it depends.

Lindamood Bell centers are independently owned and operated. Some may offer financial assistance or scholarships, and some may not. You’re going to have to inquire at the centers near your home.

However, it may be also possible to obtain funding from other sources, such as private foundations or government programs.

Is there evidence to support the effectiveness of Lindamood-Bell?

There is some evidence to support the effectiveness of the Lindamood-Bell method. For example, a study published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities found that students who received Lindamood-Bell instruction made significant gains in reading fluency and comprehension compared to a control group.

You can review what data they have on the What Works Database. The main Lindamood Bell website also has some research listed on it.

What is the difference between Lindamood-Bell and Orton Gillingham?

Both Lindamood-Bell and Orton Gillingham are multisensory approaches to teaching reading, spelling, and language comprehension. However, there are some differences between the two methods.

For example, Lindamood-Bell focuses more on the visual and auditory aspects of learning, while Orton Gillingham places more emphasis on the phonetic and linguistic aspects of reading.

Additionally, Lindamood-Bell uses a more structured approach to teaching, while Orton Gillingham is more flexible and individualized.

Should you pay for Lindamood Bell?

I hate this. I hate that FAPE is anything but free.

I hate telling parents to “just pay for it” and do it, and let the school district off the hook for their responsibilities. It doesn’t hold schools accountable and it widens the educational/prosperity gap that already exists in our country.

But, if my child needed it…and I could come up with the money. I probably would do it.

Sometimes taking a path of less resistance, and getting peace of mind, and restoring your child’s mental health….you can’t put a price on that.