The mission of the National Institute for Learning Development is to build the competence and confidence of those who struggle to learn by training educators and developing programs.   NILD trains educators in a model of intervention utilizing a variety of methods designed to develop learning ability and strengthen cognitive functioning. Specifically NILD uses interactive language in a dynamic, unscripted approach.  The method is intentional and explicitly focused upon learning needs defined through psycho-educational assessment.  The educational therapist guides the student through Socratic questioning, inductive reasoning, systematic feedback, self regulation and  direct  transfer  to life skills. The goal of NILD Educational Therapy® is to equip individuals who struggle to learn to succeed as independent learners. 

NILD is a nonprofit organization - (501(c)(3) on file).


 

 The Basics of NILD Educational Therapy®

NILD Therapist Training & Services for Therapists

                                                                                                     

What is NILD Educational Therapy®?

NILD Educational Therapy® was developed to treat assumed, underlying causes of learning difficulties rather than simply treating the symptoms.  It is a true therapy in that it aims the intervention just above the student’s level of functioning and raises expectations for performance.  Students are trained to view themselves as competent, confident learners.  The goal of NILD Educational Therapy® is to help students develop tools of independent learning in the classroom and in life.

Students in NILD Educational Therapy® receive two 80-minute sessions of intensive educational therapy per week.  This can be either in individual or small group settings.  These sessions include a variety of techniques designed to address students’ specific areas of difficulty and to improve their overall ability to think, reason and process information.  Techniques emphasize basic skill areas such as reading, writing, spelling and math, applying reasoning skills within each area.

Students are taught by educational therapists, who are trained specifically in NILD methodology and receive on-going graduate level training leading to NILD certification.  Regular collaboration between the educational therapist, parents and classroom teachers is encouraged in order to assess progress and appropriately adjust educational programs for each student.

  How is NILD Different from Tutoring?
The focus of NILD Educational Therapy® is the development of clear, efficient thinking.  Students are given tools to enable them to overcome specific learning weaknesses.  Tutoring typically focuses on content while educational therapy builds efficient learning processes.

NILD Educational Therapy® teaches students how to think rather than what to think.

NILD Educational Therapy® is skill-oriented, improving basic learning skills so students can learn and retain content.  Students become better able to:

  • stay focused on the teacher’s voice

  • accurately hear and remember what the teacher is saying

  • read visual information on the board, transparencies, or computer screen
  • understand the main points of what the teacher is saying and decide the significant information to record
  • remember how to spell the words being recorded
  • record information legibly

Educational therapists become better able to individualize intervention by:

  • focusing specifically on students’ areas of difficulty and dealing with problems as they arise during the actual learning process
  • maintaining the intensity of focus needed to help the student work through difficulties
  • developing the trust needed to free the student to accept and work on difficult areas

Parents become better able to:

  • provide structure and accountability
  • supervise homework
  • maintain regular contact with the educational therapist to increase understanding of the therapy process and collaborate in providing an effective program for their child
Who is a Candidate for this Program?

Potential students for this program are those experiencing obvious frustration in areas of school performance.  Poor spelling, illegible handwriting, inability to express thoughts verbally or in writing, and difficulty with reading and math are common indicators of a learning disability.

Learning disabilities are diagnosed through a battery of tests that measure and compare students’ potential with their actual performance.  NILD educational therapists work in conjunction with qualified examiners and can assist parents in completing appropriate psychological and educational assessments.

Students complete their programs when they become independent and successful in the regular classroom.  This decision is based upon recommendations from the educational therapist, parents and classroom teachers and usually takes a minimum of three years.

Strategies learned in educational therapy should enable students to remain independent and successful throughout their school years.  They generally develop skills to pursue a career in the field of their choice.

Learning disabilities can be addressed whenever they are identified, not just in childhood.  The NILD techniques are effective regardless of age and can be adapted to all levels of functioning.

How & Why Does the Program Work?

Research is indicating that thinking can be changed through intensive, focused intervention.  Students are trained to think for themselves rather than depending upon a teacher or parent to think for them.  Language and thinking skills are interdependent so that when one skill develops the other is also strengthened.  Educational therapists are trained to develop language and thinking through effective questioning.  Students are taught to defend their answers and to reflect upon their thinking processes.  They transition from dependent learners to those who think and reason independently.  Following NILD Educational Therapy® treatment few, if any, adjustments or modifications need to be made in the students’ academic programs. 

[Statistical data documenting program effectiveness is available from NILD]

How is the Program Funded?
Schools with the NILD program generally charge a separate fee for educational therapy in addition to regular classroom tuition. Every effort is made to keep costs within reach of families.

How can we Know the Program Works?
Several research studies are available on the program. A dissertation has been completed with statistical data documenting program effectiveness. However, success stories of students having completed the program speak for themselves. Many are achieving honor roll status and are pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees.

What is an NILD Educational Therapist?

An NILD educational therapist is an individual who holds a bachelor’s (or higher) degree in education or a related field and has been trained by NILD to work with students who have learning disabilities.

An NILD educational therapist provides intervention as part of a program in a school setting, independently in private practice or through community-based models such as Discovery Program, Inc.  This person is a trained professional holding or working toward NILD certification (CET).

What Training is Involved?

An average of 5 years is required to become a fully-trained NILD educational therapist.  Training for NILD Educational Therapy® is progressive and includes 240 hours of instruction in the following formats:

  • Level I Course (intern qualified to begin giving educational therapy) (80 hours)

  • Level II Course (taken after minimum of 1 year experience) (80 hours)

  • Level III Course (available after Levels I & II, an onsite evaluation and 200 student contact hours) (80 hours)

NILD Certification is available upon satisfactory completion of Levels I, II & III, and a demonstration of effectiveness in working with students.

Supplemental to the training courses are professional development activities such as:

  • Annual Regional Conferences (required for continued training and NILD Certification)

  • On-Site Supervisions (required for Level III training and NILD Certification)

  • Program Validation (available to school or private practice programs after 5 years)

Training Course Descriptions
Level I

Level I is an introduction to the general field of learning disabilities and provides foundational training in the philosophy and techniques of NILD Educational Therapy®.  The course prepares participants to begin giving educational therapy as interns (all NILD educational therapists are considered interns until certification).

Prerequisites: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field

Level II

Level II provides a review of introductory NILD Educational Therapy® techniques and introduces a series of techniques for advanced students to include mediated learning and questioning skills.

Prerequisites: 

  • Successful completion of Level I

  • Minimum one year experience with one student

  • Proof of attendance at NILD regional conference seminars

Level III

Level III develops mastery skills and provides an in-depth study of mediation, cognitive functions and information processing within NILD Educational Therapy® techniques

Prerequisites: 

  • Minimum of 200 student contact hours

  • Successful completion of Levels I and II

  • Proof of attendance at NILD regional conference seminars

  • On-site observation by NILD Consultant

Training courses are two-week graduate level courses offered in the summer and throughout the school year at various locations throughout the U.S. and Canada and at selected international sites.

Professional Development Opportunities

Regional Conferences
Two-day conferences are held around the country from November through March. These conferences are designed to provide on-going professional development for NILD educational therapists and to give all educators and parents a better understanding of learning disabilities and NILD Educational Therapy®. 

On-Site Supervision
One or two-day on-site consultations are available to give educational therapists individualized help with their students and with other program issues. On-site supervisions include observation of educational therapy, consultation with administrators as well as faculty and/or parent in-service.

Consultant Services
NILD consultants are available for in-service meetings in order to introduce or to further general understanding of the NILD program or learning disabilities in general within a school community. In-services for board members are highly encouraged, especially for new programs.

Educational Therapist Certification
NILD therapist certification is offered to ensure adequate and active professional development for each therapist. NILD educational therapists are eligible for certification after successful completion of all three training courses. Therapist certification must be renewed every five years.  Initial certification is for 5 years, followed by professional certification for 7 years.

Program Validation
NILD program validation is an important step toward developing and maintaining an effective NILD Educational Therapy® program within a school or community setting. NILD "Program of Excellence" may be pursued after a program has been in operation for five years.

Other Services

NILD Membership

NILD membership is available for NILD educational therapists in school programs and in private practice. For full membership benefits, see NILD Membership.

Therapy Materials

Many of the materials used in NILD Educational Therapy® may be ordered directly from NILD. Those with NILD Membership receive a 10% discount on most materials.

Resource Books

NILD offers a variety of books for parents and educators to further their understanding of children with learning disabilities. Titles include biographies and instructional books for the classroom and home. See Recommended Reading List or Books.

Media Library

A wide variety of instructional and promotional CDs and DVDs have been developed for educational therapists, educators and parents. All media are available for purchase.

Member Publication

The DISCOVERIES journal, produced two times during the school year, provides articles related to professional development. 

Brochures
The following brochures on various aspects of NILD Educational Therapy® are available free of charge:

Tools for Learning 1:  The Educator's Guide

Tools for Learning 2:  The Research 

Tools for Learning 3:
The Parents Guide

One in a series of brochures created to inform parents and teachers of NILD's educational therapy approach and its effect on students with learning disabilities.

A brief summary of results from a doctoral dissertation done on the effectiveness of NILD Educational Therapy®.

A brochure introducing parents to the features and benefits of NILD Educational Therapy®. 

Tools for Learning 4:  Tough Training for Sharp Educators

Tools for Learning 5:  Search & TEACH©
A guide to NILD training courses for educators interested in learning about and implementing NILD's unique intervention techniques. A brochure outlining an early intervention program for the prevention of learning failure and its emotional consequences.

                                                                                                     

History
NILD was established in 1982 to assist schools, organizations, and individuals in the development of programs for students with specific learning disabilities.

The NILD Educational Therapy® model was developed in the 1960s by Deborah Zimmerman, a nurse and educator.  Many of her techniques were encountered through her work with pioneers of the early research in learning disabilities, Drs. Archie Silver, M.D. and Rosa Hagin, Ph.D. at Bellevue Medical Center in New York.  In 1973, her techniques were introduced into a private school setting in Norfolk, Virginia.  In 1982, the Norfolk Institute for Learning Disabilities was established as a 501(c)3 charitable organization under the direction of Grace Mutzabaugh (Lower School Principal). As its influence broadened, the name was changed to National Institute for Learning Disabilities.

In 2002 following NILD’s 20th anniversary celebration in Orlando, FL, the board of directors approved VISION 2020 to include the development of a community-based model to serve students outside a private school setting and in other schools and private settings.  At that conference Dr. Kathy Hopkins, NILD’s Executive Director, launched the vision that by the year 2020, one million students will have been impacted by NILD’s methods and intervention. Discovery Program, Inc. is the prototype of the community-based model currently serving a wide area within the cities of Hampton Roads.

In 2007, progress was marked by significant changes, including experimentation with group models of intervention, expansion of the community based model, an online component to our courses and  accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). The name was changed to the National Institute for Learning Development to more accurately reflect the direction of the organization. Dr. Hopkins made the announcement at our 25th Anniversary Conference in Virginia Beach, VA. With headquarters in the Discovery Center in Norfolk, Virginia, NILD continues to serve educators around the world.

 

Membership & Benefits

Level I Training is required for becoming an NILD member.  If you have taken Level I and desire to become a member please download the membership form and fax or mail it to NILD upon filling out all the necessary information.  

2007-2008 NILD Membership Prices
1 individual - Private Practice or School $270

For additional Educational Therapists the costs are as follows:
 2 $465
3 $520
 4 $575
5 $630
 6 $685
7 $740
 8 $795
9 $850
 10 $905
( $355 + $55 per therapist)

(To view and print membership form, you must download Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Click on the Acrobat Reader icon below, which will take you to Adobe's website, and follow their instructions for downloading their free version of Acrobat Reader.)

Membership Form
 

Member Benefits

Membership Number

A membership card with your member number will be provided.

Directory Listing

All members will be listed in the NILD directory on the NILD Website. Private Practice therapists receive a personal listing. Member schools have the program coordinator and all educational therapists listed in the directory.   

Discounts on Services and Materials

One free Power Point presentation or discounted price for DVD purchase.

10% discount on NILD materials

Discounted fees on NILD services such as:

  • Training courses
  • Regional conference registrations (incl. overseas reg. by tape)
  • On-site visits
Online Handouts

Conference handouts available online following the 2007 conference.

Email Conferences
  • Private Practice
  • Interns
  • Program Coordinators
  • Search and Teach
  • School Based Therapists
Use of NILD name and logo NILD name & logo graphics provided for use on all stationery and publications via NILD website or CD.

DISCOVERIES

Members receive the DISCOVERIES journal two times a year.

Student Certificates

Certificates are available for students completing the NILD program.

Manual Updates

Members receive manual technique updates and refinements.

Other Benefits
  • Free Program Coordinators' workshop
  • Priority consideration in course acceptance
  • Updates on current literature and research
  • Inclusion in the collection of data for research

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National Institute for Learning Development
107 Seekel Street 
Norfolk, VA  23505
Toll Free: (877) 661-6453
Phone: (757) 423-8646
Fax: (757) 451-0970
info@nild.org

Copyright 2003 NILD
Created by Susie Hartung, NILD Webmaster