In 2019, my 11-year-old son could not read, write, or spell even the simplest of words. His self-esteem had been crushed at school and I worried for his future. Then we found Barbara, who worked miracles with my son, restoring confidence in his abilities, engaging with him to make learning fun, developing trust with him, encouraging his strengths, and speaking to his special interests. With kindness, compassion, and skillful expertise, she has provided a solid foundation for learning to unfold naturally. Barbara is highly trained in specialized methodologies and dyslexia interventions that have proven extremely effective for my son’s learning disabilities and special needs. She has given him strategies that have allowed him to express himself more fully through the written and spoken word, and although he still has the same challenges and disabilities, he has made tremendous progress with her guidance and tutoring. Barbara really “gets” my son. She understands how his brain works and what his unique challenges are, more than any other provider we’ve ever worked with. Above all, she is deeply committed to my son’s learning process. She is a shining star in our lives, and I cannot recommend her services highly enough!
Barbara Bird Watson, M.A., C.C.C.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Dyslexia Remediation Specialist
I have been providing speech, language, and reading remediation services for children and adults in the North Bay for 28 years. Therapy sessions are conducted online. My specialized training is in treating dyslexia. Additional areas of specialty include remediation of language-based learning disabilities, early intervention for students at-risk for reading disorders (preschool aged), auditory processing disorders, and cognitive rehabilitation.
I have a passion for creating exceptional programs for the development of communication and reading skills.
Schedule a Session
Featured Services:
Articulation & Phonological Disorders
Aphasia
Auditory Processing Disorders
Dyslexia
Reading Remediation
Raven Gray, parent
You are the best part of my week!
Z.G., student
A game changer? A life changer for sure. We love Barbara!
We met Barbara in 2013. Our son was 9 years old. He had been held back in kindergarten due to a speech impairment. He was stuttering, had ticks, OCD, and he was having a hard time learning how to read. The school offered a speech therapist, but that wasn’t enough. Plus, she pulled him out of class, so he missed what the class was doing and got further behind!
Barbara was a game changer. Her approach was wholesome. She embraced all of his issues and helped him blossom into who he is today. He can not only read but he can write and talk!
She made an effort to learn who he was, where he came from, what he liked, and what he didn’t like, what was hard and what was easy. She knew when he was having a bad day or a good day. She discovered his passion for Star Wars and animals, so she focused on those. She made sure to know more about those topics herself, so she could guide him and make our appointments more productive. Through that passion of teaching, our son was excited and gained momentum to want to learn. He he has NEVER EVER said he didn’t want to go to Speech with Ms. Barbara!
As he got older, his speech improved considerably. She helped him learn to focus in class and how to prepare and deliver his presentations. She gave him the tools on how to put onto paper what was in his head. She took him by the hand and guided him, asked about his teachers, taught him how to ask questions, gave us suggestions on school placement, and helped us strategize. She made it a point to get to know her student.
Our son is now 17 and has gone on to win several gold awards for his speeches and presentations. He has been in several plays, where they have to TALK or sing. He holds a couple of Board positions, where you have to read, talk, and listen!
Barbara’s therapy not only helped our son learn how to read and write, her approach helped him overall: we not only got a speech therapist, we got a high caliber teacher, tutor, counselor, and psychologist!
From a kid that could barely speak, and stuttered well through 2nd grade, whose OCD interfered with just about everything, who was teased and bullied – he is coming out ahead right now because of the help he received from Barbara.
Cecil, parent
Barbara was a real gift for our family. She was always attentive with our daughter, she made learning fun, and it was always easy for me to work with her! Her teaching built a strong foundation for our daughter’s love of reading.
Jessica Rios, parent
Barbara is a kind and compassionate reading teacher. She is patient with our daughter and makes her feel comfortable while improving her reading skills. She understands what our daughter needs to improve and has been a wonderful resource.
Marci M., parent