SPELL-Links Spelling & Literacy Therapy: In Person in Bethesda, Online Across 7 States
Does your child read pretty well but spell like it’s a guessing game? Do spelling tests come home with a good grade, then the same words fall apart in their writing? You’re not imagining it, and it’s not laziness. Spelling is a language skill, and it can be taught.
I’m Amy Clayman, a licensed speech-language pathologist trained in SPELL-Links to Reading & Writing. I work with children in person in Bethesda and online with families in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Florida and California.
What is SPELL-Links?
SPELL-Links is a research-based word study program that follows how the brain actually learns to read and spell. Traditional phonics goes from letters to sounds. SPELL-Links goes the other way, from spoken sounds to print, which mirrors how skilled readers and writers process language.
Students learn to:
Hear every sound and syllable in a word (phonological awareness)
Know which letter patterns are allowed, and when (orthographic patterns)
Use word parts like prefixes, suffixes and base words (morphology)
Connect spelling to meaning (vocabulary and semantics)
Build mental pictures of words so spellings stick
Instead of memorizing lists, kids learn 14 spelling strategies they can use on any word, even ones they’ve never seen.
Who it helps
SPELL-Links is rooted in oral language, which makes it a natural fit for speech-language therapy. It’s especially helpful for children with:
Dyslexia and other reading or spelling difficulties
Developmental language disorder
Speech sound disorders that show up in their spelling
Trouble with decoding, written expression or self-checking their work
What an online session looks like
Online SPELL-Links isn’t a worksheet on a screen. I built an interactive lesson board for my students, and during sessions they take control of my screen. They sort word cards, mark sounds and letter patterns, build words on a grid, and fill in their own Word Study Journal page, which we save at the end of each lesson.
Sessions are live, one-on-one, on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Parents are welcome to sit in, and I share what to practice between sessions.
More than spelling
SPELL-Links also builds the thinking skills behind good writing: paying attention to sounds and meaning, checking your own work, and solving problems flexibly when a word looks “funny.” Many families notice the confidence shows up in reading and writing assignments too.
Families I serve
In person: Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville and the greater DMV
Online: Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Florida and California
You don’t need to live near Bethesda to work with me. Every online session is the same one-on-one therapy, from your own kitchen table.
Ready to start?
Every child begins with an evaluation so I can see exactly where spelling breaks down and build a plan around it. Contact me to schedule a SPELL-Links evaluation or to ask whether it’s the right fit for your child.
FAQ
Does SPELL-Links really work online?
Yes. I’ve provided teletherapy since 2016. Online sessions are live and one-on-one, and students actively work on an interactive lesson board instead of watching a screen. Many kids find it more engaging than paper.
What ages do you work with?
Ages 7+. SPELL-Links works well for elementary, middle and high school students, and the word lists grow with the child, from short vowel words to prefixes, suffixes and word families.
How long are sessions, and how often?
45 minutes, usually once a week. Some students do better with two shorter sessions a week; we’ll decide together after the evaluation.
Do you take insurance?
KidSpeak is a self-pay practice. I provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Does my child need an evaluation first?
Yes. A comprehensive evaluation shows exactly where spelling breaks down (sounds, letter patterns, word parts or meaning) so therapy targets the right skills from day one.
Do I need to live near Bethesda?
No. I see families in person in the Bethesda area and online anywhere in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Florida and California.
What does my child need for online sessions?
A computer or laptop with a camera, a quiet spot, and a pencil and paper. A tablet can work, but a mouse or trackpad makes the interactive activities easier.