Dyslexia Intervention in Northwest Arkansas

Meet Elissa Blabac

Founder of Ozark Dyslexia Services

Welcome to Ozark Dyslexia Services—I’m so glad you’re here. I'm Elissa Blabac, a dyslexia interventionist and literacy educator serving families in Northwest Arkansas. Whether you're exploring dyslexia tutoring, looking for a structured literacy approach, or simply trying to support your struggling reader, I’d love to share my story with you.

 From Parent to Teacher

Like many parents, my journey into the world of dyslexia began at home. In 2020, during the pandemic, my son was in second grade and had recently been diagnosed with dyslexia. He was receiving school-based therapy when the world shut down.

Like many parents who need support, I turned to the internet. I researched everything I could about how to help a child with dyslexia, and that’s when I found All About Reading, a structured literacy program that is very popular with homeschoolers. For the next year and a half, I homeschooled my son, and by the time he returned to school in fourth grade, he was reading on grade level.

 A Career Pivot

In 2022, my son enrolled in a new public charter school that was struggling to hire a dyslexia interventionist. When I asked what they were looking for in a dyslexia interventionist thinking I might know someone, the district director told me they needed someone passionate and committed—the district would handle the training.

I asked, “Could that be me?”

And just like that, my career changed direction. I left a 20-year career as a paralegal and began working in the school as a dyslexia interventionist, helping students from kindergarten through sixth grade improve their reading skills through structured, targeted instruction.

Becoming a Dyslexia Specialist

Driven to learn more, I enrolled in the Master of Science in Literacy and Dyslexia program at the University of Central Arkansas. I'm proud to have passed the KPEERI (Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction) and am currently completing the practicum to become a Certified Structured Literacy – Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS).

These credentials, grounded in the Science of Reading, have equipped me to provide effective, evidence-based reading intervention to students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.

My Mission

My son is the reason I started this journey, and his success is what fuels my passion today. I teach every student with the same dedication and heart I gave him. I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate dyslexia support, and I’m here to guide families with compassion and clarity. Whether you're looking for a more information about your child's reading progress, Evidenced Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI), or parent coaching to support your child at home, you're in the right place.

Let's Work Together

If you're looking for dyslexia intervention in Northwest Arkansas, personalized reading support, or guidance on how to help your child become a confident reader, I’d love to help.