ADHD, Dyslexia & Autism Tutoring in Port Alberni
RISE has tutors who have worked with many kids with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, including one who specializes in Orton-Gillingham, a reading method built for dyslexia. You don't need a diagnosis to start.
$60 per session
Or prepay for two or more sessions at $55 each.
Where Can I Find a Tutor for ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism in Port Alberni?
RISE Alberni tutors K-12 students with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia one-on-one. One tutor specializes in Orton-Gillingham reading instruction for dyslexia and help with planning and staying organized. Sessions are usually in person in Port Alberni, and online for Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield. They cost $60, and you don't need a diagnosis.
What Can My Child's School Do in BC?
| Support | What it means for your child |
|---|---|
| Learning assistance | Help from the school's learning support team for mild to moderate trouble with learning or behaviour. No designation or diagnosis needed. |
| Adaptations | Changes to how your child is taught and tested, like extra time, oral tests, or assistive technology. Your child still works toward the regular course. |
| Modifications | Different learning goals from the regular course. Modified high school courses earn no graduation credit, so ask before agreeing to them. |
| IEP | A written plan for your child. Once the school identifies a disability, it must write one unless only minor adaptations are needed, offer you a say in it, and review it at least once a year. |
| Designation | A ministry category, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Learning Disability. ADHD isn't a category of its own, and a diagnosis alone doesn't decide what help your child gets. |
| Grad assessments | A reader, scribe, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, or extra time on the Grade 10 and 12 assessments, if your child already uses it in class and it's written in their IEP. |
| Reading screening | In 2026-27, every BC public school checks reading from Kindergarten to Grade 3. It flags who needs help sooner. It doesn't diagnose dyslexia. |
What Should I Do First?
- Talk to the teacher. Ask to meet the school-based team, and ask two questions: does my child need an IEP, and will it use adaptations or modifications?
- For ADHD, see your family doctor or go to Child and Youth Mental Health's free intake clinic at 4088 8th Avenue in Port Alberni, Wednesdays 9 to 11 am and 1 to 3:30 pm (250-720-2650). You don't need a referral.
- For dyslexia, ask about a psycho-educational assessment, the testing that can diagnose a learning disability. It's free through the school once the school-based team refers your child, and Kelty Mental Health says the wait is often long. Dyslexia Canada says private assessments cost $1,200 to $4,000.
- Check what funding fits. Autism Funding covers out-of-school tutoring for ages 6 to 18, and you can use it for RISE tutoring. On March 31, 2027, BC's new Children and Youth Disability Benefit replaces it. For a First Nations child, see our Jordan's Principle tutoring guide.
Schools in Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield are part of the same district, School District 70 Pacific Rim, so the same rules and the same district team apply (250-723-3565). The Grade 10 and 12 assessments have their own parent's guide to BC graduation assessments.
Sources: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care Inclusive Education Services manual, Individual Education Plan Order M638/95, 2026-27 Handbook of Procedures, the minister's September 2026 literacy screening letter, BC Autism Funding pages, Kelty Mental Health, Dyslexia Canada, and SD70. Checked September 27, 2026.
What Do Sessions Look Like?
- One-on-one, usually in person in Port Alberni. Students in Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield can book online sessions.
- The same tutor at the same time each week.
- Our specialist tutor works in Orton-Gillingham reading instruction for dyslexia, executive function support, and lessons adapted for other learning disabilities.
- Start with an intake conversation about what's hard right now, what works at home, and what's in your child's IEP if they have one.
Straight Answers
Do we need a diagnosis to start tutoring?
No. Tell us what you're seeing at home and at school in the intake conversation. If your child has an IEP, bring it: it tells the tutor what already works in class.
What is Orton-Gillingham?
A step-by-step way of teaching reading and spelling, first built for students with dyslexia. One of our tutors specializes in it.
Do you help with executive function?
Yes. Executive function covers planning, getting started on tasks, and staying organized, which ADHD often makes harder. One of our tutors specializes in supporting it.
Is ADHD a designation in BC?
No. ADHD isn't one of BC's designation categories. A student with ADHD can still get learning assistance and adaptations at school, and BC's rules say a diagnosis alone doesn't decide what help a student gets.
Can Autism Funding pay for tutoring?
For ages 6 to 18, BC's Autism Funding (up to $6,000 a year) lists out-of-school tutoring as an eligible expense, and you can use it for RISE tutoring. On March 31, 2027, BC's new Children and Youth Disability Benefit replaces it. BC hasn't said yet whether the new benefit covers tutoring.
Can Jordan's Principle pay for tutoring?
It can, for an eligible First Nations child with a specific need. Indigenous Services Canada decides each request. Our Jordan's Principle tutoring guide covers who can apply and how.
Can sessions be online?
Yes. Sessions are usually in person in Port Alberni. Students in Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield can book online sessions. Call or text 877 281-2450 or send an inquiry to set them up.
How soon can we start?
Intakes are open now. Fill in the inquiry form or call or text 877 281-2450 to set up an intake conversation.