Wellington-Alexander Center

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Wellington-Alexander Center

Forming New Pathways • Transforming Lives •
Overcoming Dyslexia Together
Wellington-Alexander Center is a one-of- a-kind, all-inclusive neurodevelopmental screening, assessment and treatment center for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. We offer comprehensive and collaborative care for all ages. We differ from typical language / learning disability treatment centers, because we employ a medically based, scientifically-proven intervention program that aims to treat the root causes of language-learning disabilities, not just the symptoms. We evaluate and treat patients from toddlers to young adults.

Whether you have developmental concerns about your preschooler or a school-aged child with a learning disability, Wellington-Alexander Center can help. We offer dyslexia intervention with an interdisciplinary approach including speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological service professionals collaborating daily, on a program customized to fit each individual’s unique needs.

Please call us to learn more about how our program can help you or your loved one to maximize learning potential.
Mission

The Wellington-Alexander Center provides individuals affected by dyslexia and other language-based learni?ng challenges with the opportunity to reach their full academic and social potential through language and learning using research-driven language and learning tools with a trans-disciplinary approach. 

History 

The Wellington-Alexander Center of Scottsdale, Arizona was founded by Ann Alexander, MD, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician. The Center opened its doors in June of 2003, but its establishment is preceded by more than 25 years of research, knowledge, experience and success achieved at The Morris Center, also founded by Dr. Ann Alexander, in Gainesville, Florida. 

The Morris Center (www.morriscenters.com) has been successfully treating children and adults with learning disabilities since 1986. Recognizing the need for a similar treatment center in Arizona, Dr. Alexander opened the Wellington-Alexander Center in hopes of achieving the same kinds of success for children here in the Valley of the Sun.

The Morris Center was awarded federal research grants by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to scientifically assess the efficacy of the language interventions for children with dyslexia, both for the short-term and the long-term. Two five-year grants allowed them to treat and follow 120 severely dyslexic children, discovering that: 
After the intensive (daily) intervention dramatic increases in both oral and written language and learning skills were apparent.  The gap between ability and achievement was closed.
The positive effects were maintained in the majority of the patients during the one and two-year follow-up intervals. 
Optimal control of attention was a key component for learning and continued growth during the follow-up period.

In another arm of this initiative, our team was involved in research focused on kindergarten students identified as at-risk for dyslexia. These students received 20 minutes of the same scientifically-based therapy daily for 4 days/week. The treatment began in the second half of the kindergarten year and continued through the end of second grade, totaling 65 hours overall. The second graders were reading at grade level and continued to be at grade level when measured again at fourth grade. A control group was also given equal time, receiving other reading /phonics support methods for equal time and duration. Their progress was no better than the "no treatment" group. 

With this proven treatment model, the Wellington-Alexander Center is achieving these outcomes with their patients here in Arizona. When all of the developmental pieces of the "puzzle" (language, attention/behavior and sensorimotor) are addressed intensively, systematically and in an integrated manner, individuals are able to reach their full potential. Refer to the published articles and visual data for further details. 

Dr. Alexander and Jane Laywer, Director of Wellington-Alexander Center, are also on the Board of the Fred J. Wellington Foundation based in Chapel Hill, NC. The foundation aims to improve and expand care and services for those with dyslexia and other language-based learning challenges.