What is ALTA Certification? (Academic Language Therapists and Practitioners)

ALTA-Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs) and Certified Academic Language Practitioners (CALPs) are highly trained educational specialists with extensive expertise in supporting students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia and dysgraphia.

These specialists provide targeted intervention using Multisensory Structured Language techniques grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Their instruction is diagnostic, explicit, systematic, and individualized, helping students build accuracy, confidence, independence, and stronger overall learning outcomes.

CALTs use comprehensive evaluations and academic data to design intervention plans tailored to each student’s unique needs. Through multisensory instruction that integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, they teach the structure of the English language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and orthography. CALTs provide intensive one-on-one or small-group intervention to strengthen reading accuracy, fluency, comprehension, spelling, and writing skills.

Becoming a CALT requires extensive preparation and clinical experience. Candidates complete a minimum of 200 hours of specialized training, at least 700 supervised practicum hours, and a series of demonstration lessons evaluated by a Qualified Instructor. CALTs must also pass the ALTA Competency Exam and hold a master’s degree.

Because of the advanced training, clinical experience, and expertise required, relatively few educators achieve ALTA certification. CALTs and CALPs play a vital role in helping students with written-language disorders develop the skills needed for long-term academic success.

Strategies for Learning is proud to have four highly experienced CALTs on staff, each with additional backgrounds in Special Education, who look forward to supporting your child’s learning journey.

Learn more about Strategies for Learning’s certified ALTA therapists:

Stephanie Broytman, M.A. Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, ALTA Certified

Jessica Ghassemi, M.A. Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, ALTA Certified

Tracy Young, M.A. Business Administration from Boston University, ALTA Certified

Eldeva Tofte, M.A. Special Education, ALTA Certified, Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist through the CERI

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