Your child's reading struggle has a root cause. We find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a reading center in Maine?

The Reading Center opens Fall 2026, bringing clinical Reading Assessments to families across Greater Portland and Central Maine — in your own home. We also travel to the Southern Maine and Greater Bangor areas by arrangement (a travel surcharge applies). Book an assessment at mrmtss.com/assessment, or join our first families at mrmtss.com/first-families.

Where is The Reading Center located?

We come to you. Assessments — and, for families who continue, instruction — take place in your home or a quiet, private room at a local library or community space near you. There's no travel for your family and less stress for your child. As we grow, a dedicated Reading Center location may follow; for now, the convenience of coming to you is the model. Our primary service area is Greater Portland and Central Maine, and we also travel to the Southern Maine and Greater Bangor areas by arrangement (a travel surcharge applies).

What age groups does The Reading Center serve?

The Reading Center serves K–12 students — kindergarten through 12th grade. It is never too late for reading intervention. With the right instruction, students can build stronger reading skills at any age, and older students often progress quickly because they bring more language experience to the process.

What is clinical reading intervention?

Clinical reading intervention is a systematic, evidence-based approach to identifying and addressing the specific root causes of a child's reading difficulty — including dyslexia, decoding weaknesses, fluency gaps, and reading comprehension problems. Unlike general tutoring, clinical intervention begins with a comprehensive reading assessment and produces a personalized instructional plan targeting your child's specific gaps.

How is The Reading Center different from tutoring?

Clinical reading intervention identifies the root cause of your child's reading difficulty rather than treating symptoms. Every student who works with The Reading Center begins with a comprehensive $295 Clinical Reading Assessment, followed by a personalized intervention plan targeting their specific gaps in decoding, fluency, or comprehension. Programs are 1:1 and small group, with progress measured against individualized goals and reported to families regularly.

How is this different from the reading support my child gets at school?

School reading support is essential, but it operates under real constraints: large group sizes, limited time per student, and a curriculum designed for a wide range of needs. Clinical reading intervention is different in three specific ways. First, it begins with a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that identifies the exact root cause of your child's reading difficulty — something school screeners typically can't do at that depth. Second, intervention is delivered 1:1 or in small groups of similar readers, so every minute targets your child's specific needs. Third, progress is measured against individualized goals and reported to families regularly. School support and clinical intervention work well together; many of our families also work closely with their child's classroom and intervention teachers.

Do you provide reading help for children with dyslexia in Maine?

Yes. Students with dyslexia are at the heart of what we do. Our programs are grounded in the Science of Reading and structured literacy — among the most effective evidence-based approaches for students with dyslexia. We serve K–12 students in Greater Portland, Central, and Southern Maine, opening Fall 2026.

How do I know if my child needs clinical reading intervention?

Common signs include: reading below grade level despite classroom intervention; avoiding reading at home; struggling with reading homework that takes much longer than expected; reading aloud accurately but not retaining what was read; difficulty with spelling that persists despite study; or a family history of dyslexia or reading difficulties. If you've noticed any of these patterns and feel your child needs more than what school services provide, a Clinical Reading Assessment is the right next step. A $295 Clinical Reading Assessment will give you a clear picture of what's happening and whether intervention is the right next step.

My child can read words but doesn't understand what they read. Can The Reading Center help?

Yes — this is one of the most common patterns we see, and it has specific clinical explanations. A child who decodes accurately but struggles with comprehension may have gaps in vocabulary, language processing, background knowledge, or the ability to form mental images of what they're reading. The Reading Center's Clinical Reading Assessment identifies which specific factors are limiting comprehension for your child, and the intervention plan targets those factors directly. General tutoring often misses these distinctions; clinical intervention is built to find them.

What's included in the $295 assessment?

The $295 Clinical Reading Assessment includes three things: a comprehensive clinical reading evaluation, a personalized learning plan built from the results, and a strategic planning meeting where we review the findings with your family in plain language and map out next steps for both home and instruction. You'll leave knowing exactly where your child stands, what to focus on first, and how progress will be measured.

Where does the assessment take place?

The assessment comes to you. We travel to families across Greater Portland and Central Maine — and to the Southern Maine and Greater Bangor areas by arrangement (a travel surcharge applies) — and arrange a quiet, private room at a local library or community space near your home, or come to you directly. After you book, we confirm the exact location by email so the day is calm and convenient for your child.

Do I need to enroll to get the assessment?

No. Many families use the Clinical Reading Assessment as the first step toward enrollment, but others book it on its own simply to understand their child's reading. Either way, you'll receive a clear written summary and a personalized learning plan in plain language — information many families choose to share with their child's school team or other providers. The assessment guides instruction and informs those conversations; it is not a medical diagnosis.

How do I get my child a reading assessment in Maine?

The first step is scheduling a Clinical Reading Assessment with The Reading Center. Our $295 assessment includes a comprehensive clinical reading evaluation, a personalized learning plan, and a strategic planning meeting with your family. Join our first families at mrmtss.com/first-families or schedule an assessment at mrmtss.com/assessment.

What does a Reading Center session look like?

For families who continue with instruction, a typical session is 50 minutes, structured around their specific intervention plan from the Clinical Reading Assessment. Sessions blend explicit instruction in the foundational reading skills your child needs — whether that's decoding, fluency, vocabulary, or comprehension — with carefully chosen materials that build confidence. Every session is goal-directed: students know what they're working on, why it matters, and how their progress is being measured. Parents receive regular updates on growth and recommended at-home reinforcement.

How often will my child attend sessions?

Instruction is offered to a limited number of families and scheduled around availability — typically after school hours and on weekends. Consistency matters most: we set a realistic, steady schedule in your child's plan and revisit it as we monitor progress. Because spots are limited, the Clinical Reading Assessment is the right first step for every family.

Is instruction one-on-one or in a small group?

Instruction, when available, begins 1:1, so the work is focused entirely on your child's profile. As students reach specific milestones, families may have the option of a small-group format (typically two students) at a reduced rate. Availability is limited and set after the assessment.

How is instruction priced?

The Clinical Reading Assessment is a flat $295. Ongoing instruction is billed at an hourly rate on a weekly cycle, so families have clear, transparent budgeting. We walk through the recommended schedule and cost with you at the strategic planning meeting — after the assessment shows what your child actually needs — so you're never committing before you have the full picture.

How long does reading intervention take to show results?

We measure progress in 30-day cycles rather than promising a fixed timeline, because every child's path depends on their starting point, the root cause of their difficulty, and how often they attend. We set specific, measurable goals at the start of intervention and report against them at day 30, day 60, and day 90 — so families always know exactly where their child stands and whether the plan needs adjusting. Some skills, like phonemic awareness or decoding accuracy, often respond before others, like fluency or comprehension of complex text.

Do you coordinate with my child's school?

Yes. With your written permission, we can share your child's Clinical Reading Assessment results and personalized learning plan with their school team. Aligning clinical intervention with classroom instruction creates a more cohesive support system, and many of our families work closely with their school's teachers alongside our work.

What is the Fall 2026 founding cohort?

The founding cohort is The Reading Center's first 20 families. They receive priority scheduling for the early (late-July and August) assessments, first access to any instruction, and priority pricing. Join at mrmtss.com/first-families — no commitment required.

Do you serve students outside of Greater Portland?

Yes. The Reading Center is based in the Greater Portland area and primarily serves families across Greater Portland and Central Maine. We also travel to the Southern Maine and Greater Bangor areas by arrangement, with a travel surcharge. Depending on your learner, virtual instruction can be another trusted way to bring reading within reach.