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Scottish Rite for Children Creates Web-Based Dyslexia Program to Meet Growing Demand

Scottish Rite for Children Creates Web-Based Dyslexia Program to Meet Growing Demand

by | Apr 21, 2025 | Dyslexia & Learning Disorders, Press Coverage

Scottish Rite for Children has expanded its award-winning suite of dyslexia curricula with the launch of a web-based intervention that reduces teacher training time and cost while preserving high-quality, evidence-based instruction. The new curriculum cuts teacher training time from two years to 10 days by integrating a web-based virtual instructor who co-teaches each lesson. The research-tested curriculum accelerates student outcomes and gives school districts greater flexibility to meet the increasing demand for dyslexia intervention.

Bridges: A Dyslexia Intervention Connecting Teacher, Avatar and Student was written by the experts at Scottish Rite’s Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders. The curriculum is based on Scottish Rite’s Take Flight program, which is the national standard for dyslexia education for children 7 and up. While Take Flight requires an academic language therapist to teach the curriculum, Bridges provides classroom and special education teachers with scripted resources, interactive tools, and a virtual co-teacher, Ms. Hallie, who consistently delivers the new learning portions of each lesson via a large screen in the classroom.

“We developed our innovative Bridges curriculum to help school districts meet the growing demand for dyslexia intervention,” said Karen Avrit, M.Ed., CALT, QI, director of Dyslexia Education at Scottish Rite. “It’s designed to be more accessible while still offering a high-quality, research-tested program. We’re delighted to see the positive feedback from administrators and teachers alike, and the students love it because it’s fun and helps them succeed.”

Avrit is a leading expert in the field of dyslexia education, writing, editing, and teaching multiple dyslexia and reading comprehension curricula, including the widely used Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia. To create Bridges, Avrit worked with a team at The University of Texas Dallas to bring Ms. Hallie to life. Now, decades of dyslexia education expertise have been captured in a state-of-the-art virtual learning tool that will help children in classrooms around the country learn to read and comprehend.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bridges curriculum, dyslexia researchers compared literacy outcomes for students in the Bridges program to students receiving the already highly-validated Take Flight intervention. Researchers conducted the IRB-approved study (Institutional Review Board) in public school classrooms across several North Texas-area school districts, comparing the progress of 162 students during two academic years. Results indicated that the two groups demonstrated comparatively similar growth in oral and written language skills, suggesting that the tech-assisted Bridges program and the traditional Take Flight program are similarly effective in improving literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia.

The percentage of students diagnosed with dyslexia is growing. In Texas, it doubled from 3% in 2017 to 6% in 2023. School districts are under pressure to identify and provide help for students diagnosed with dyslexia. A new Texas law passed in 2023 has brought the issue to the forefront, reshaping dyslexia education and intervention in public schools. Dyslexia education now falls under special education.

“At Scottish Rite, we are focused on giving children back their childhood, and we are proud to partner with school districts to meet the mounting needs of students with dyslexia. Our goal is to offer greater access to an evidence-based, structured program that gives students confidence and skills to learn and reach their full potential,” Avrit said.

Bridges is a two-year program designed for children ages 7 and older. Students can participate in hour-long lessons four days a week or 45-minute lessons five days a week. The virtual instructor uses 15 to 20 minutes of each lesson to deliver the more complex aspects of the dyslexia intervention. This includes the proper mouth and facial movements associated with making the correct letter sounds. The certified teacher provides live instruction based on scripted materials and interacts with students to answer questions and control the rate of instruction. This combination of teacher and avatar ensures the student receives the most consistent, accurate instruction while progressing through the curriculum at a pace that works for them. The Texas Education Agency has included the Bridges curriculum on its list of approved dyslexia interventions.

Additional information about Bridges, including its newly lowered price for the 2025-2026 school year, can be found here.

$13.5 Million Renovation Brings Leading-Edge Technology to Therapy Services at Scottish Rite for Children

$13.5 Million Renovation Brings Leading-Edge Technology to Therapy Services at Scottish Rite for Children

by | Apr 17, 2025 | Press Coverage, Therapy Services

Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas has expanded its Therapy Services department with a $13.5 million renovation. The renovation includes growing the space by 20% to 10,300 square feet and bringing in advanced rehabilitation technology. The new gym provides more space for children to move freely and engage in therapy activities while simulating real-life environments.

“This expansion supports our multidisciplinary approach to care by enhancing our therapy space and increasing our capacity for in-house services,” says Scottish Rite Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. “We began offering therapy services in 1939, and we’re eager to continue our legacy of providing the best care for our patients.”

Scottish Rite’s Therapy Services Department offers both physical and occupational therapy for inpatients and outpatients. Staffed by more than 30 specialists, the department had more than 19,000 patient visits in fiscal year 2024. The therapy gym is used for everything from teaching a toddler to walk for the first time on their prosthetic leg to ensuring a young athlete is strong enough to return to their sport.

“At Scottish Rite, we treat the whole child. We understand that truly comprehensive care means seamless collaboration across disciplines,” says Charter Rushing, Director of Therapy Services. “It’s inspiring to witness physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, prosthetists, orthotists, child life specialists, therapeutic recreation specialists, and therapists working together—often within a single appointment—to create personalized care plans.”

The new therapy gym features advanced technology, such as a robotic gait and balance system to assist patients with walking and movement training. A new interactive therapy table is also available and is designed to improve patients’ upper extremity motion, strength, coordination and cognitive skills. The table features a large touchscreen with customizable games and activities that engage patients in dynamic, task-specific training.

“Our new state-of-the-art technology has revolutionized the way we deliver therapy by making it engaging, interactive and function-focused,” says Rushing. “These advanced systems allow us to target fine and gross motor skills, coordination and strength while keeping patients motivated and actively involved in their care. These resources, combined with the expertise of our therapy team, are helping patients achieve milestones they once thought were out of reach.”

The space also includes an activities of daily living (ADL) suite with a sink, Murphy bed, mirror and dresser, which allows patients to practice personal care tasks alongside their occupational therapist. The ADL suite is also equipped with a lift system so families can learn and practice safe patient transfer techniques. Occupational therapists use the suite to work with patients and their families to improve independence with activities like grooming, dressing and transfers.

“Physical and occupational therapy services are vital for our patients,” says Scottish Rite President/CEO Robert L. Walker. “Our team is dedicated to treating the whole child – body, mind and spirit – and providing the tools children need to regain their independence, mobility, and ultimately, their childhood.”

To learn more about Therapy Services at Scottish Rite, please visit our services page here.  

NBC 5: Go Move Helps Patients with Cerebral Palsy

NBC 5: Go Move Helps Patients with Cerebral Palsy

by | Apr 8, 2025 | Press Coverage, Research & Innovation

A new website developed by Scottish Rite for Children’s senior clinical scientist Angela Shierk, Ph.D., O.T.R., is helping patients with cerebral palsy reach their goals. Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor disability in children and causes issues with movement, balance and posture. Go Move is a virtual occupational therapy tool that allows patients to perform exercises from the comfort of their home, set specific goals and track their progress.

Evvie is a Scottish Rite patient, who is using Go Move to improve her mobility by leaps and bounds. The 17-year-old credits her daily exercises with helping her achieve key milestones, such as washing her hair or tying her shoes.

Go Move is part of an international research project with partners in Turkey, Poland and Mexico. This technology is making vital care accessible to children who need it, and our team is eager to continue developing the program to help children not only in DFW, but also around the world.

Watch the full story from NBC 5.

D CEO: Ask the Expert With Dr. Henry Ellis

D CEO: Ask the Expert With Dr. Henry Ellis

by | Mar 17, 2025 | Press Coverage, Sports Medicine

Learn more about the rising rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young athletes, as discussed by Henry B. Ellis, M.D. — pediatric orthopedic surgeon, medical director of clinical research and program director for the Orthopedic Sports Fellowship at Scottish Rite for Children.

Why is there an ACL epidemic?

ACL injuries in young athletes have surged during the past 15 years. Research shows female athletes are six times more likely to experience an ACL tear. Any young athlete playing a pivoting sport is at risk for a knee injury. However, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and football have particularly high rates in North Texas. Although there are several contributing factors, the most significant is that our kids have too many organized activities, such as year-round schedules and intense trainings and practices.

How can we stop it?

In a recent Scottish Rite for Children parent survey, we learned 82% of parents were not aware of ACL injury prevention programs. We are dedicated to injury prevention and have discovered most ACL injuries are preventable if the muscles of the central and lower body are strong and well-coordinated. We also offer movement pattern screening along with performance and prevention training. Most importantly, parents should advocate to have coaches and others involved in their kids’ sports programs trained in injury prevention techniques and strategies.

Is it really the turf?

We’re not certain, but signs point to yes. Some studies highlight an increase of injuries on synthetic grass, but sufficient research has not been conducted to explain why natural grass is better. This may be a real concern for female athletes playing on turf since they are already at a higher risk for ACL injuries. Future studies will most likely show the quality or type of turf could play a significant role in injuries.

Why are female athletes at a higher risk of injury?

Risk factors exist for female athletes that may not be within their control. Scottish Rite is researching the changes in ligament laxity related to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles. These changes might lead to increased joint instability and raise the risk for injury.

Are there any developing treatment options?

Yes, we have developed and published a specialized ACL surgical technique for growing athletes that involves stabilizing the athlete’s knee to get them back to sports while limiting any risk to their growth plate. Not all kids need ACL surgery. However, when an ACL injury is suspected, parents and athletes should review the risk and benefits of surgical treatment with a sports medicine expert.

What advice would you give to parents of young athletes?

It’s important to prioritize kids playing for fun first, and then playing to win. Don’t forget about taking an offseason for every sport. Young athletes’ bodies need a rest during growth and especially during a growth spurt. Repetitive movement while practicing can cause the body and growth plates to wear out, so balance practice with strength training. A 70/30 plan is ideal for young athletes. That means 70% of time at practice and 30% of time strength training. Facilitate, encourage, or ask about an injury prevention program for your young athlete. ACL injury prevention programs exist and work.

 

Published by D CEO.