As one of Maryland's official International Dyslexia Association (IDA) providers, LINKZ delivers structured literacy and Orton-Gillingham instruction to students across Howard County, Frederick County, and the rest of Maryland — both in person at our Columbia and Frederick offices and virtually statewide. We're passionate about helping students and individuals of all ages feel confident with reading. According to the IDA:
“About 13–14% of the school population nationwide has a handicapping condition that qualifies them for special education. Current studies indicate that one half of all the students who qualify for special education are classified as having a learning disability (LD)... About 85% of those students have a primary learning disability in reading and language processing. Nevertheless, many more people — perhaps as many as 15–20% of the population as a whole — have some of the symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or mixing up similar words. Not all of these will qualify for special education, but they are likely to struggle with many aspects of academic learning and are likely to benefit from systematic, explicit, instruction in reading, writing, and language.”
For more information on dyslexia, please click here. Click on Decoding Dyslexia and CERI to learn more about each.
Dysgraphia can drastically impact one's ability to effectively perform tasks related to writing. Characterized by difficulties in fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and the cognitive processes involved in writing, dysgraphia can lead to illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, and difficulty organizing thoughts on paper.
While dyscalculia can "show up" in math class, it can also appear outside of the classroom. With an inability to comprehend and manipulate numbers, those struggling with dyscalculia may face challenges in understanding simple numerical concepts, solving mathematical problems, and performing calculations that are important in everyday life. All three of these learning differences can significantly impact a student's academic performance and daily life. At LINKZ, we provide tailored support, multi-sensory instruction, and appropriate accommodations to ensure success.
Navigating life with ADHD can be challenging — but with the right support, students thrive. LINKZ provides specialized ADHD tutoring and executive functioning coaching to families across Maryland, from Howard County to Montgomery County and beyond. Our specialists examine each student's unique learning profile and build personalized strategies that work with their strengths, address their challenges, and foster real confidence. Available in person at our Columbia and Frederick offices, or virtually anywhere in Maryland.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the executive functions of our brain - that is, the part of our mind that manages time, space, materials, and information. ADD and ADHD have been shown to play significant roles in diminishing executive functioning, which can drastically impact a student’s success in school. According to a study, "The Impact of Executive Functioning and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Children's Peer Relations and School Performance":
“This study examined the predictive relations from symptoms of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and executive functioning (EF) to social and school functioning... At high levels of symptoms of inattention, the poorer the EF, the greater the need for special education. At high levels of symptoms of hyperactivity / impulsivity, the poorer the EF, the higher the levels of physical aggression...”
Fortunately, strategies and techniques have been developed to remediate the effects of executive dysfunction. Our tutors work multi-sensorily, allowing students to tap into other areas of their brain when faced with organizational tasks (which is why ADD/ADHD students are typically more creative!) If you’re interested in learning more about EF and how executive dysfunction can affect your child academically click here or here.
Every neurodivergent learner deserves an approach that honors how their brain actually works. LINKZ supports neurodivergent students — including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles — across Maryland. Our specialists use strengths-based, evidence-based methods proven to help neurodivergent learners thrive, whether your family is in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, or anywhere else in the state. In-person sessions available at our Columbia and Frederick offices, or virtually statewide.
Few things elicit more stress than standardized tests, especially when coupled with learning differences. Thankfully, we’ve created dynamic, multi-sensory approaches for helping students conquer the “big day.” We’re proud to have prepared students for the following exams (and we’re always creating strategies for new exams!):
New Digital SAT • ACT • COOP • HSPT • TACHS • GRE • GMAT • Chicago Selective Enrollment Exam • Technical Interviews (Amazon, Google, etc.) • IB (International Baccalaureate) • ASVAB / AFQT • NBCC • NCE • PSAT • NMSQT • AP • SSAT • ERB • ISEE • LSAT • TOEFL • TESOL
Our new LINKZ Test Prep Package ensures that you or your child are ready for anything a standardized test (the new Digital SAT, ACT, Chicago Selective Enrollment Exam, HSPT, and ISEE) may throw at you. After a consultation with Noah, our Standardized Test Diagnostician, you'll receive all the information you need on score ranges for high schools, colleges, and universities, navigating the accommodations process, and determining which exam is “right” for you or your child. You’ll receive a diagnostic report that includes additional insight and observations; these details help shape and influence any strategies, approaches, and starting points in test prep tutoring. And because we specialize in working with students with learning differences, we understand the world of IEP, 504, and CollegeBoard accommodations. We'll provide you with all the knowledge and tools you'll need to succeed in getting accommodations in place for the big day, and let you know exactly where to begin, which Test Prep Specialist can most effectively help, and how we'll be there every step of the way.
Beyond teaching students how to read, we also provide general ELA, writing, and language support across all subjects and levels. If you're looking for assistance in other languages (Spanish, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Hebrew, to name a few), we've got you covered.
While our work with Reading, Writing, English, History, and other non-S.T.E.A.M. subjects is incredibly important to us, we believe S.T.E.A.M. subjects are vital to the future of society. We work with all levels of science and mathematics and have helped students effectively prepare for these (and other) exams and courses:
MCAT • ATI Nursing Exam • NCLEX • CollegeBoard Accuplacer • AP Math • AP Science • AP Computer Science • AP Art History • Photography • Film (Writing, Directing, Editing, & Filming) • College-Level Math, Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Arts Courses
In addition to providing SAT / ACT prep for your soon-to-be college student, we'd love to provide assistance with coursework, management, and/or Executive Functioning coaching. If your child attends one of the following universities (listed in no particular order), we can even provide on-campus assistance:
University of Maryland, College Park • Towson University • Howard Community College • University of Maryland, Baltimore County • Bowie State University • Carroll Community College • Johns Hopkins University • Community College of Baltimore County • Goucher College • Loyola University Maryland • Salisbury University • Stevenson University • University of Baltimore
If your new college enrollee attends an out-of-state university we’ll be happy to continue providing our services for them virtually. We’ve worked with students in (to name a few): California, Montana, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, DC, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and beyond (like Amsterdam, Switzerland, China, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Bolivia!). When your student is ready, we're here to help with job searches, applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills.
We know that the day-to-day management of online platforms (including Canvas, Blackboard, and Google Classroom) is both stressful and more important than ever. Our Homework and Online Learning Specialists are available for both daytime and after-school hours, and are dedicated to helping your child stay on top of their classwork and homework and navigate their school's digital landscape. We know that these may be stressful times; allow us to take the navigating and micromanaging off your plate.
Under normal conditions, studies have demonstrated that students who do not engage academically over the summer can lose nearly half the knowledge they gain over the course of a school year. This phenomenon is known as “summer slide.” Students are still struggling from the lasting impacts of COVID-19, and we expect that it will take years for students to catch up on benchmarks and grade-appropriate progress. We’re here to help combat academic backslides by providing our tailor-made educational services year-round. In addition to summer remediation, we also provide summer enrichment by helping students plan and prepare for next year’s curriculum. The summer is also a great time for re-evaluations; if you're looking for more concrete data on past performance, we can help!
LINKZ serves families across Maryland in person from our Columbia and Frederick offices, and virtually statewide.
• Howard County — Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, Fulton, Elkridge
• Frederick County — Frederick, Urbana, Mount Airy, Walkersville
• Anne Arundel County — Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton, Pasadena
• Baltimore County — Towson, Catonsville, Pikesville, Owings Mills
• Montgomery County — Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring
• Prince George's County — Bowie, Laurel, Upper Marlboro, College Park
Not in one of these areas? We tutor virtually across all of Maryland.
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Academic and emotional growth, connected.
