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How to deal with decoding problems while reading?

The Job of Decoding: Pushing the Boulder up a Hill

Posted by Denise Harding | Mar 30, 2020

Students with reading deficits could tell you a lot about the Greek myth of Sisyphus, the king of Ephyra who was punished by the gods by being forced...

					Evoke has been absolutely essential to the academic success of all three of our children. Evoke’s skilled staff and tutors were able to assess and remediate gaps and challenges that... read more the schools weren’t even aware of. In fact, the schools kept telling us “they’re fine”, when we knew they were bright kids who were struggling.  We have been so pleased with how engaging the tutors have been and how quickly the kids have been able to close their learning gaps. I am not aware of any other company whose philosophy, and evidence-based approach and programming comes close to Evoke’s.  We are so grateful that a place like Evoke exists. They truly have had a profound impact on our children’s lives. Overcoming their academic struggles through Evoke has translated into more confidence and positivity overall.  We obviously highly recommend Evoke and their staff!  Dr. Laura Harvey				
Laura Harvey
November 17, 2023 

					Vic has been an amazing support for our teen.  I catch bits of their sessions together and Vic is so compassionate, engaging, practical and intentional.  Our teen truly... read more enjoys their time together, and that makes such a difference.  As well, the feedback they provided on our teen's IEP was incredibly insightful, actionable and customized.  We always feel like Vic is a true partner with our family and we are grateful to have found Evoke.				
Bruce Sellery
October 22, 2023 

					This tutoring has been a game changer for my son. The staff are fabulous; kind and patient with him and his learning needs. Highly recommend! And we love Lea!				
Amanda Tulk-O'Reilly
October 6, 2022 

					My son was diagnosed with ADHD-Combined, and we were very fortunate to discover Evoke Learning.   Over the past 1.5 years, Evoke Learning has been instrumental in helping my... read more son with his English / linguistic skills to the point that it's reflective in the improvement on his report card.  He reads faster, comprehends more words, can properly sound out simple to complex words and most importantly, he is less afraid to showcase his written or verbal skills.  Evoke Learning has a wonderful, qualified and above all, caring staff and we highly recommend them as the definitive choice for enhancing learning abilities.  Thanks Evoke!				
JT
April 6, 2022 

					I worked with Richard at Evoke over several months and he was immensely helpful. Besides being professional and effective, Richard was very compassionate and empathetic. During my time working with... read more him I made significant strides in learning how to work with my ADHD and learning disabilities rather than push against them. My work and study habits improved immensely with strategies and tools he suggested and helped me to implement. I'm very grateful for his endless patience and infectious confidence.  Everyone I interacted with at Evoke, including Kate and Jeanne, were very helpful, kind, and responsive. I feel very lucky to have been directed to Evoke for coaching; the experience was entirely positive!				
Bree
April 6, 2022 

					My son was diagnosed with ADHD plus an LD and he was having difficulty with his high school classes.  After searching for tutors for my son and coming up... read more unsatisfied time and time again. I was so happy to have found Evoke Learning. Jeanne the Client Service Manager conducted my son’s assessment and I noted how good she was with him. Marcus had the opportunity to work with Brigitt and Talia for English, Coaching and Mentoring. I liked getting the detailed reports from his sessions that kept me informed of what was completed and where he was at. Marcus last worked with Lisa who was a life saver. Marcus was struggling with his last English credit to graduate. Lisa assisted Marcus with English as well as his executive functioning such as organization and time management. She kept him on track and engaged. I am happy to say he secured his last English credit and has graduated high school. I am grateful to Evoke Learning for being so supportive and patient with my son. I noticed an increase in his confidence level after working with Evoke. I highly recommend them. Thank you again.				
Trecia Downes
April 6, 2022 

					Our experience with Evoke has been fantastic. Everyone from the administrative staff, to the assessment staff to the tutors are incredible professional, and knowledgeable. The virtual experience was great, my... read more daughter met with her tutor daily and really enjoyed her sessions. I would highly recommend Evoke.				
Anne-Marie Gabrini
April 6, 2022 

					My name is Jessica and I’ve had Richard as my academic coach for the last 1.5 years. I am completing my Master’s and as someone with ADHD, I was very... read more anxious. I was worried about managing my workload, where and how to start my MRP (similar to a thesis). With Richard’s support, I’ve learned approaches that help to simplify and break my work down into digestible, manageable pieces. He is super patient and meets me where I’m at. I feel like I am much more equipped to manage my issues related to executive functioning because of Richard’s amazing support and knowledge. Strongly recommend Evoke Learning.				
Kimberley Gemmell
April 6, 2022 

					I went to Evoke for several months for ADHD counselling. I had Richard Comeau, who was unbelievably helpful with improving my work ethic, organizational skills, motivation, and note taking/studying strategies.... read more Completely turned my student life around. 10/10 recommend, worth every penny.				
Evan Applebaum
April 6, 2022 

					The reading program at Evoke helped me feel empowered and strengthen my reading. This program truly has impacted my life in such a positive way. This program not only helped... read more me academically but also gave me confidence surrounding my reading. I am genuinely grateful for the fantastic mentor and touter I had. Evoke goes above and beyond for each student by striving to create a safe and positive learning environment. I want to recognize there's outstanding performance for students with exceptionalities.  Huge thanks to Evoke :)				
Vanessa Garritano
April 6, 2022 

					I had the chance to work with Richard this year on improving my learning skills and over that time I've become a different person with a completely different mindset on... read more school.  These learning strategies will help me forever in every aspect of my life. I am very confident in my own academic capabilities and strengths because I've proven it to myself this year, thanks to Richard.				
Naomi Tomeo
April 6, 2022 

					My 14 year old son has been working with Andrew for a couple of years to get help with math and science and he loves it so much my 16... read more asked for help with Andrew this year too. Highly recommend!				
Dorothy Steel
April 6, 2022 

					I worked with Richard at Evoke over several months and he was immensely helpful. Besides being professional and effective, Richard was very compassionate and empathetic. During my time working with... read more him I made significant strides in learning how to work with my ADHD and learning disabilities rather than push against them. My work and study habits improved immensely with strategies and tools he suggested and helped me to implement. I'm very grateful for his endless patience and infectious confidence.  Everyone I interacted with at Evoke, including Kate and Jeanne, were very helpful, kind, and responsive. I feel very lucky to have been directed to Evoke for coaching; the experience was entirely positive!				
Bree Lawrence
November 22, 2021 

					I feel so much gratitude for the services of Evoke Learning.  Our child developed reading skills during our time with Evoke which was a huge milestone.  Dollar for... read more dollar, you cannot buy a better reading program.  Our child's grade one teacher (Pubic School) told me that she provided group reading but does not teach children to read.  I was shocked but now appreciate her honesty.  Other parents have repeatedly told me that guessing words is a teaching method used in our schools.  With that information, we decided to take the step to commit to the Evoke Learning program.  Our child's instructor was engaging and patient which was just as important to us as teaching skills.  The key to our child's learning involved explaining meaning to sound/letter combinations, decoding and blending and more.  These foundation blocks of reading can not be rushed otherwise the material will not be understood or retained.  This is why the Evoke program is so effective.  We are overjoyed with the progress that our child has made and will continue with Evoke for years to come.				
Lee May Nikoletos
April 6, 2021 

					A friend recommended Evoke after I shared concerns with my daughter’s reading development. She had used Evoke more than five years ago and still raves about the positive impact for... read more her daughter. I will no doubt do the same!  Denise and the team helped our family on so many levels. We were overwhelmed on how to best support our daughter as we watched her struggle at school while facing COVID school closures. Evoke was, and continues to be, such a huge resource for us. We have had both of our kids tested and matched with tutors that have become friends and mentors for our kids (and us parents). I never have to argue with my kids to get online for their tutor sessions, we are seeing solid improvements (and both kids are at very different levels) and most importantly gains in confidence as they see increased success at school. I can’t thank Evoke enough for helping us through what could have been a really difficult time. We are just five months in and I am so relieved I found them so early on in my kids education.				
Shalini Mitchell
April 6, 2021 

					I have nothing but positive things to say about our Evoke Learning experience. From the initial phone call, to the intake meeting to, in our instance, the weekly sessions, there... read more isn't a single criticism I could make. They have been honest, compassionate, and professional throughout. We had searched high and low, for many years, for ways to help our daughter manage her EF, to set her up for success, not just in school, but in life. Evoke Learning has played a pivotal role in guiding her, to give her the understanding, and to provide her with the tools needed to succeed at whatever she puts her mind to. It may not be the case for everyone, but the difference we've noticed is night and day. Her skill set, her mood, and most importantly, her confidence has soared. I couldn't ask for anything more.				
Mike Dietrich
April 6, 2021 

					Kate is quite possibly the most helpful person I have worked with in the 20+ years of managing my ADHD. She is down to earth, intelligent, compassionate and truly incredible... read more at what she does. I would always leave our meetings with this sense of relief as she would manage to find solutions to problems which I may have not even realized I was struggling with (without her intervention). She has transformed the way I do many things throughout my life, and for that I am grateful. Not only is she excellent at her job, she is super cool. You would be lucky to work with her if you get to the chance to.				
Emmett Johnston
April 6, 2021 

					I had the pleasure of being mentored by Richard. He taught me how to  maximize my school performance, and to learn how to work with my ADHD and learning... read more disability. I have had a huge change in my outlook and in my expectations and abilities, and I feel confident to achieve anything I want academically.  I would really like to thank him for all his help, and would most definitely recommend him to others.				
Cameron Oland
April 6, 2021 

					I’ve had nothing but positive experiences at Evoke, having worked with two of their coaches (Aaron and Richard). With their professionalism, kindness, and expertise, I’ve been making real progress on... read more managing my learning disability.				
C. James
April 6, 2021 

					Our daughter has learning disabilities and ADHD.  When she began having difficulties during university, Kate Lloyd was recommended.  Kate’s counselling was excellent and enabled our daughter to graduate... read more successfully.  Without Kate’s help, the road to completing her degree would have been much more difficult and the goal of graduation possibly not reached.  After graduation she continued counselling which helped her through post-graduate courses and onto a rewarding career path where she is reaching her full potential.  I highly recommend the services provided by Evoke Learning.  The office is run efficiently, the prices reasonable and the counselling is supportive, intuitive and spot-on.				
Marilyn Gillespie
April 6, 2020 

					I have been working with Evoke Learning for my ADHD for about five years. Before I started working with my tutor I was having a lot of difficulties at school... read more and with self care due to my executive functioning capacities, I just couldn't find a way to focus and plan my life and work. My tutor at Evoke has helped me come to a better understanding of my ADHD and how it impacts my life. My academic standing has improved and I will soon be completing my final year of university. Not only this but day to day issues like diet, budgeting, exercise and cleaning feel much more manageable now. Evoke has helped me find success both in school and my personal life and I am able to live my life with less stress and anxiety. Their staff are very kind and professional! I would recommend them to anyone I know looking for help with school work or planning.				
Keegan Gardner-Elmer
April 6, 2020 

					As a Mom of a student with learning disabilities, I highly recommend the coaching and tutoring services of Denise Harding and the staff at both the Evoke Learning Aurora and... read more Maple offices. My son has worked with Evoke throughout the upper elementary grades and high school. Using his psychoeducational assessment, Evoke tailored the tutoring to help my son understand his LD challenges and his strengths. As well as helping him understand his Math and English course content, Evoke tutors worked with him to set up routines and schedules for his school work and sports commitments. The managerial, administrative and tutoring staff at Evoke Learning are thorough, caring professionals.				
Glenna Davis
April 6, 2020 

					****5 STARS HANDS DOWN!!!!****  Kate Lloyd, the owner of Evoke Learning- is one of the most amazing and outstanding human beings that I have ever met in my life.... read more She was recommended to help one of my mother’s teen foster kids who suffered from mood disorders and ADHD! This foster child suffered extremely with concentration and following general details, which led her to being fired from jobs and contributed to major struggles in school.  After a year of working with her, our foster child had improved immensely. She started getting high grades in school and was able to keep jobs with out getting fired.  Kate has unshackled her from her disability and now her confidence level has grown and she is now able to function at a WAY higher level in her life.  I  scheduled our foster child’s appointments w Kate myself and I can’t speak higher of her as a professional and human being. She is patient, kind and honestly gets extreme fulfillment for helping people improve their quality of life!!  I would give her and Evoke Learning 6 STARS if I could. That’s how amazing she is and her business!				
Malaika Jackson
April 6, 2020 

					It is difficult to sum up how much Evoke’s services have helped me to reach my goals and realize my full potential at university and beyond. From my in-person coaching... read more where I learned practical skills to manage my symptoms of ADHD and to succeed both inside and outside the classroom, to the open lines of communication that are always available outside of sessions, I have constantly felt supported by Evoke. In fact, the personalized and intimate approach to coaching never made me feel as though Evoke is a business operation. In short, it is thanks to the incredible services offered by Evoke that I feel confident and capable to continue tackling my life with ADHD. Thanks is simply not enough to recognize the positive transformation that has occurred in my life since began receiving coaching services from Evoke.				
Carli G
April 6, 2020 

					I have been using Evoke's services for the past two years while being in university. I have to say, Kate (the owner) has gone ABOVE and BEYOND for me! She... read more took the time to really know me and find the best match for me when it came to which coach would work best for me. I was matched with Richard and I am SO happy with the work we have accomplished. He understands me in a way nobody has before. He is able to identify my struggles and within a 1 hour session, the struggles I was facing have been resolved. I have not only benefitted within our sessions, but my grades have gone up within my classes and my self esteem is benefitting a lot from it! Richard has never judged me and I feel completely comfortable showing my true self which I usually do not do. I am so grateful for Evoke and look forward to using their services for the next year of my university career.				
Hailey Merten
April 6, 2020 

					I worked with Evoke's learning for helping my niece. She wanted to be in the baseball team and we weren't ready to allow her as she is an ADHD kid.... read more The ADHD coach we got in Evoke was the best, helped her a lot to make her a team player. I badly wanted to take time to write this, that much gratitude I have towards Evoke! Best wishes Team!				
Linda Wells
April 6, 2020 

					We have made Evoke our go-to resource for several years. One of our children had been diagnosed with a learning difference and ADHD, in grade three, and needed a support... read more system. We needed help with the increasing demands of school work and our child’s genuine disinterest in organizing anything (thoughts, homework, knapsack, bedroom, closet, sports equipment, etc). Two of Evoke’s terrific tutors helped our child for two years, giving kind and genteel advice, setting the routines in place. We are so grateful for Stephanie and Megan’s kind and generous ways. Through their scaffolding of good habits and continuity, we’ve seen our child take ownership of strengths, and the confidence to ask for help.  In addition to our child’s needs, I was also assessed for attention deficit, and through Kate’s humour and ADHD coaching, have experienced significant personal growth. Our family is grateful for this group of talented individuals.				
Anouchka Freybe
April 6, 2020 

					I had the pleasure of working as a coach and mentor at Evoke Learning. I was very impressed with the quality of training I received by Kate Lloyd, and have... read more nothing but positive things to say about the staff and students. This is a very professional, yet warm environment with a proven track record for success.				
Uzma Abdullah
April 6, 2020 

					I would give 10 stars if I could! Kate Lloyd is amazing at what she does.  I had always struggled to take tests through University and Graduate school so... read more when I found out about Kate  in my 3rd year of graduate studies I decided to see if she could help me. With her help and many hours of her time, my marks went from high 60's to 98% across the board! I will forever be grateful to Evoke and Kate for taking the time to work with my specific situation and carefully talk me through strategies and tools to help me succeed! I highly recommend anyone and everyone going into higher education whether you have difficulty in school or not, get a few sessions with Kate to learn how to succeed and take all the stress out of education so you can focus on enjoying the learning!				
Jaclyn Clarkson
April 6, 2020 

					I hired Evoke Learning to help coach and organize my child when he went off to university. They did an excellent job and were very professional with their services, invoicing,... read more and scheduling. Students often lose their high school support systems when they transition to college or university. It's very helpful to have that assistance available to them when they are far from home.				
Diana Lawrence
April 6, 2020 

					We have had the greatest pleasure of Learning about Evoke.   They have been phenomenal working along with my daughter.  Denise was a great mentor for my daughter... read more with ADHD she's helped her in so many areas of her school work , she has since excelled thanks to the tools that she had implemented with her.   My daughter has also worked with  Sara for Biology and Mohammed for Math.    They worked so well with her especially with her ADHD and she had accomplished so much with them, her teachers also commented about how well she had been doing since working with them.  I highly recommend Evoke to any parent who are need for center that has it all with highly trained  staff.				
Daniela Saker
April 6, 2020 

					My daughter has been with Evoke Learning and with the academic coaching program for two years. In that time, I can say that she’s really become much stronger in her... read more study skills and time management. They’ve given her the tools she needs to keep on track with work, juggle many balls at once and learn how to prioritize her work. Shes had two academic coaches since she started and has had nothing but good things to say about both of them! Ingrid McClelland				
Lily McClelland
April 6, 2020 

					Great coaching services for students with ADHD and/or executive function deficits. Denise is organized, structured and holds her clients accountable for their 'homework'. I highly recommend Evoke to parents who... read more want to take the conflict out of the relationship they have with their child who has difficulty with planning, organizing and other school related challenges.				
B “onekgirl” K
April 6, 2020 

I can say both my boys used Evoke Learning to sharpen their study skills and benefitted from the coaching they received. I would recommend Evoke Learning when a child needs... read more

Lily Polemidiotis
April 6, 2020

My Son Marco has been going to Evoke for English and Math, and we are so happy with his progress. He has worked with Bridgitt and Mohammed and they... read more

Amy Gesualdo
April 6, 2020

The Job of Decoding: Pushing the Boulder up a Hill

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