William was identified early in school in 1st class as having a challenge as his ability did not match his work. He was identified as having dyslexia and the started to get resource hours in school. His Drumcondra scores were 2 English and 3 maths. When he was in 4th class we found out about Mary and he started to attend her, his Results went to 5 English and 9 maths in 6th class. A specific program was developed for William and all of us worked towards same. He continues to attend and looks forward to going there as we continue the journey.

John, his little brother started to attend Mary’s School when he was in Senior Infants as he wanted to get work to do.

He has a unique language difficulty which was not identified in school. On the advice of Mary, I got him assessed with the Educational Specialist and Language Specialist, it transpires he has a unique language challenge. His Drumcondra scores in 1st class were 5 English 10 maths and hence he didn't come to the attention as having an issue. John is on a specific program with Mary and the team to assist him with his learning challenge.

Anne Marie

My daughter Eladh is nearly 8 years old and has come on leaps and bounds since she began learning new techniques with Mary Connell and her team at Bright Sparks Learning Centre. Eladh has been attending at Brightsparks for 18 months, and I can almost say reading has become more enjoyable for Eladh and less of a chore. The tears have lessoned and her confidence in her own ability has greatly improved.

I feel that the Sound Reading programme that has been used in Eladh's early intervention for reading and phonics is fantastic.
I have recommended Mary's programme to many parents, both in Eladh's primary school and to parents of secondary school students in the school where I teach.

Margaret

By the end of Junior infants, I realised that Fionna was reversing a lot of her letters and numbers and not recognising enough of her sight words for her ability: Mary assessed Fionna and started her on a phonetic programme. At first, it was hard work as Fiona found it difficult and was already beginning to feel that she was unable for the work.

However, as the sounds, phonograms and vowel diagraph were put in it started to come together and corresponding became less arduous and more pleasant.

Within 1% years Fionna is reading and spelling at the level of a 9-year-old Fionna is in 1st class and has got the best reader of the week on 4 occasions, she now loves reading. She reads everything and anything can lay her hands on. She loves puzzles and quizzes too: Her work with Mary has more than paid off.  Homework is no longer a chore bit an opportunity for Fionna to show off how she is doing.

Liz