Xiomara Lanza
Educational Therapist/ Learning Specialist
I am an Educational Therapist and Learning Specialist with extensive experience supporting students with learning differences in public schools, independent schools, and private practice.
I hold a Master's degree in Special Education and have specialized training in Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood Bell, The Hochman Method of Writing and Multisensory Math.
Throughout my career, I have worked with students with a wide range of learning profiles, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, processing and working-memory difficulties, autism, and other academic and learning needs.
My goal is to provide students with the individualized instruction, strategies, and support they need to become more confident, capable, and independent learners.
My Story
I believe effective intervention begins with understanding the whole student.
Every student brings their own strengths, challenges, interests, experiences, and way of learning. I take the time to get to know each student—not just academically, but as a whole person. Understanding what motivates them, what makes them feel successful, and where they may feel frustrated helps me create an approach that is truly individualized.
I believe learning should be engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable, especially for students who may have experienced frustration or difficulty in traditional learning environments. My approach combines explicit and structured instruction with play-based, multisensory learning experiences. I use games, movement, hands-on activities, creativity, and students' own interests to make challenging skills feel more approachable.
For me, play is not separate from learning. It is a way to help students engage, take risks, practice new skills, and experience success. When students are having fun and feel connected to the person teaching them, they are often more willing to try something that once felt difficult.
Building trust and connection is at the heart of my work. I want students to feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, trying again, and discovering that they are capable of doing hard things.
Most importantly, I want students to leave intervention with more than stronger academic skills. I want them to develop confidence, strategies, and a growing sense of independence as learners.
My goal is to help students discover that learning can be something they enjoy—and that they are capable of more than they may have believed.
Education
&
Qualifications
Education
Master's Degree in Special Education
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Early Childhood through 8th Grade
Specialized Training
Orton-Gillingham Approach
Structured, multisensory literacy instruction
Hochman Method of Writing
Explicit instruction for sentence and paragraph development, written expression, and academic writing
Multisensory Mathematics
Hands-on, explicit instruction to develop mathematical understanding
Professional Experience
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Public and independent school settings
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Private educational therapy
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Individualized academic intervention
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Reading, writing, and math intervention
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Executive functioning support
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Collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals
Specialized Approaches
Play-Based Learning
I incorporate games, movement, creativity, and students' interests to make learning engaging and approachable, particularly for students who may have experienced frustration with traditional academic instruction.
Multisensory Learning
Students are given multiple ways to engage with and practice new skills through seeing, hearing, saying, moving, touching, and doing.
Structured Literacy
For students who need explicit reading and spelling instruction, I use structured, sequential, and multisensory literacy instruction informed by the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Explicit Writing Instruction
I use the Hochman Method to help students develop stronger sentences, organize their ideas, elaborate on their thinking, and communicate more effectively in writing.
Individualized Instruction
Instruction is adapted to each student's learning profile, strengths, needs, interests, and goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Executive Functioning Support
Students learn practical strategies for planning, organization, task initiation, time management, self-monitoring, and completing academic work more independently.