How The Reading Clinic Grew.....

One of Bermuda's heroines, Mrs. Elizabeth Kitson, founded The Reading Clinic in 1968. The lives of numerous people have been positively changed by this prominent educator for 30 years.

Students describe Mrs. Kitson as `a champion who helped them overcome the biggest challenges of their lives - dyslexia'. Those who have this neurocognitive deficit have extreme difficulty learning to read and spell.

Mrs. Kitson operated from her home "Cave House'' on Harbour road in Warwick for 23 years. Thirty years ago Mrs. Kitson never envisioned how The Reading Clinic would grow.

The Reading Clinic Story . In 1968 Mrs. Kitson obtained a Master's degree in the Psychology of Reading Difficulties from Columbia University. When she returned to Bermuda she soon discovered a real need - parents concerned about their children's reading difficulties.

In response to that need, Mrs. Kitson taught a course designed to help students with dyslexia. There were five mothers and nine fathers in her first course which was based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to written language.

Mrs. Kitson carried out assessments of reading difficulties and invited Cape Cod teacher Constance Newell, Ed.M. to assist with the training of the `parent tutors' who tutored one another's children. And the Clinic grew.

Dr. Dale Bryant of Columbia University acted as consultant to The Reading Clinic for several years. Alice Garside, Ed.M. a former supervisor of teacher training in the Master's programme of the Language Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital, supervised the training of tutors for over twenty years.

Many other professionals from abroad gave generously of their time to assist in the professional development of the Clinic and so it grew and it grew! Dr. Janet Kemp, a Harvard graduate, assumed the position of school psychologist at The Reading Clinic in 1987 and one year later became its director.

Dr. Kemp said, "Mrs. Kitson has that rare ability to pass on the reins of an organisation she founded and directed to another individual while maintaining a high level of energy and commitment to the organisation as it evolves in response to growing needs.

"Her wisdom and emphasis on quality of service continue to guide our daily decisions in more ways than she can possibly imagine.'' In 1991 The Reading Clinic moved into its own building on 54 Serpentine road in Pembroke. (Directly behind the Royal Gazette Ltd.)This was possible due to the generosity of The Bermuda High School for Girls who made the property available on a `peppercorn' lease for 99 years. The plaque above the entrance door reads, "Dedicated to fulfilling human potential''.

A major fund raising appeal for the building received generous support from businesses and individuals in the community. With its new building the Clinic became more visible in the community and the number of requests for assessments and tutoring grew.

Today The Reading Clinic averages 60 children and adults in its tutoring programme each year. Approximately 30 qualified tutors are available to teach students one-on-one. New tutor training courses are periodically offered and public seminars are organised.

"Without the tutors, there would be no programme and no intervention and no opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those with specific language difficulties,'' Mrs. Kitson said.

As awareness of learning differences has increased, concerned teachers and parents have asked The Reading Clinic to grow.

Mrs. Kitson explained, "One of the first steps in dealing with learning difficulties is having an educational assessment. It is absolutely essential.'' In response to requests The Reading Clinic is currently conducting a pilot project in teacher training for learning difficulties relating to mathematics.

In its efforts to meet the needs of those who learn differently The Reading Clinic continues to grow.

The Reading Clinic is a non-profit facility offering educational and psychological services, including specialised tutoring for children and adults with dyslexia.

Mrs. Kitson, Founder of The Reading Clinic, continues to support the organisation through her role as one of the trustees and president of the board of management.

"The hardest thing is to begin where you are with whatever you have. If you fulfil a real need, others will recognise it and join in the work,'' Mrs.

Kitson said.

Mrs. Elizabeth Kitson, M.B.E., M.A., J.P., founder of The Reading Clinic in 1968. After 23 years of working in her home at `Cave House' the trustees of The Bermuda High School for Girls leased the property on 54 Serpentine Road for one peppercorn for 99 years. In 1991 The Reading Clinic finally had its own building.