About the Center

The DeFusco Dynamic Learning Center is a comprehensive pediatric- based educational facility that focuses on speech, language and reading issues. 

Specializing in cognitive and psycho-educational evaluations, treatment, and therapeutic plans specifically aimed at the remediation of speech, language, reading and other learning concerns. 

 

 

About Elizabeth Molinari DeFusco 

Elizabeth Molinari DeFusco has been in private practice for over 40 years and has worked with hospitals, legal teams, schools and Child Study Teams in the Monmouth and Middlesex County areas as an Independent Educational Consultant and Speech Pathologist.

As a Speech Pathology graduate of Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, she went on to study at Georgian Court University where she received her credentials as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. Mrs. DeFusco, known by her students as “Mrs. Bette,” also holds certifications in Elementary Education as well as Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is board certified by the American Speech and Language Association and holds a New Jersey license. 

DeFusco decided to sub specialize after she realized that while she could get her students to speak beautifully and develop age appropriate language skills, she noticed some were not doing well academically. Their reading needs were not being met by the schools in a time efficient manner. One approach does not necessarily work for all students, which is why she became an expert in various schools of thought about learning issues and reading programs.

While schools do a good job at educating the general public, they are often slow to evaluate children in the younger grades, even when the children are demonstrating reading and/or learning difficulties. It’s not necessarily the school’s fault. If they test in the first or second grade, the child may not meet the stringent state guidelines for classification. However, a concept known as Response to Intervention (RTI), which is a three-tiered program should be introduced. Usually, this is a time-consuming process with valuable time wasted getting the dyslexic child into the 3rd tier.

This is an area where DeFusco is a valuable resource. Her expertise allows her to evaluate a child, make a recommendation, develop a learning plan and execute it, often working in tandem with the school district to make sure the child succeeds. 

Mrs. DeFusco or “Mrs. Bette” has been an educator since 1977 with an exemplary background in treating and caring for children and young adults with minor to severe learning issues.  With her unique educational background, Mrs. DeFusco is a highly trained tutor who specializes in dyslexia, reading comprehension, written language weaknesses, learning disabilities, auditory processing issues, as well as speech and language disorders including apraxia.  She uses evidence-based techniques and cutting-edge technology programs to supply an individualized program for each child.   Some of the school districts she works with include, but are not limited to, Old Bridge, Neptune, Union Beach, Monroe, Colts Neck, Sayreville, Tinton Falls, and Freehold, NJ.  She will treat your child as her own.

 

More than tutoring.

 

Most children who have speech and language problems will develop reading problems at some point. The Dynamic Learning Center works with children from Pre-K through High School. Mrs. DeFusco incorporates all areas of her learning expertise by pulling from her numerous certifications in Speech Pathology, Learning Disability Teacher Consultant, Elementary Education, and Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to get your child ahead.

 

 

Wilson

Created by Barbara Wilson, the program teaches students the structure of words in a systematic and cumulative manner. Following this system helps students to trust that they can learn English within the system, and ultimately, deal with the irregularities of the language.
 

The Listening Program

This is a music listening method, personalized to improve brain fitness at any age or level of ability. TLP has global effects on the brain, and is commonly used to support changes in a wide range of brain performance areas: executive function, communication, auditory processing, social & emotional function, stress response, motor coordination, creativity. 

Semple Math

Semple Math is the complete, Basic Skills, Mathematics Program authored by Janice L. Semple. The program is based entirely on learning by association, employing fact and process mnemonics.

Fast ForWord

Fast ForWord is a family of educational software products intended to enhance cognitive skills of children, especially focused on developing "phonological awareness".Fast ForWord does what no other intervention can do: it starts with cognitive skills like memory, attention and processing speed and works from the bottom up, using the principles of neuroplasticity. Fast ForWord aims to remediate the underlying difficulties that keep struggling readers and English language learners from making progress.

Stevenson Learning Skills

The Stevenson Language Skills Program, Stevenson's Essential Grammar, Stevenson's Cursive Writing and other materials for teaching basic skills to both regular and learning disabled students. The programs use established techniques like mnemonics (memory aids) and multisensory instruction in imaginative new ways. The materials accommodate common problems such as dyslexia, attention deficits, phonological processing difficulties, memory weakness and sequencing confusion.

Project Read

The ProjectRead curriculum is a complete Language Arts program that accommodates a diverse array of learning profiles. Authored and developed by Victoria Greene and Mary Lee Enfield, PhD, the Project Read curriculum is divided into three major strands: Phonics, Reading Comprehension, Written Expression. Mrs. DeFusco is trained in these specific instructional strategies which have “been proven to improve test scores, enrich RTI models, and meet state standards.”

PROMPT

PROMPT is an acronym for Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets. The technique is a tactile-kinesthetic approach that uses touch cues to a patient’s articulators (jaw, tongue, lips) to manually guide them through a targeted word, phrase or sentence. The technique develops motor control and the development of proper oral muscular movements, while eliminating unnecessary muscle movements, such as jaw sliding and inadequate lip rounding. PROMPT therapy is appropriate for a wide range of patients with communication disorders. The most common patients have motor speech disorders, articulation problems or are non-verbal children. Many patients with aphasia, apraxia/dyspraxia, dysarthria, pervasive development disorders, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries and autism spectrum disorders have benefited from PROMPT therapy. An evaluation by a PROMPT-trained speech therapist is the only way to find out if a patient is appropriate for the therapy.

 

Diane, Manalapan, NJ

My son, Matthew has always struggled with school, at the end of second grade he was diagnosis with Auditory Process Disorder. Even with extra help within school, tutors outside and other therapist he continued to struggle and make very slow progress. Matthew has only been working with Ms. Bette since Nov 2014 and within that short time we have seen vast improvements in his comprehension and focus. I wish we found Ms. Bette sooner.

WJ, New Brunswick, NJ

To anyone looking for the best learning consultant in the tri-state area this woman is it! I have received tutoring from Mrs. Bette since 2nd grade. Currently, I am a Rutgers student studying nursing, and I honestly don't think I would be where I am today without her. Mrs. Bette is/was so much more than a tutor to me. While growing up I had many academic and emotional hardships and hurdles I had to overcome, and Mrs. Bette worked through them with me. To begin, I was an overly shy child, and felt insecure in every respect. Mrs. Bette allowed me to be myself, but shaped me into a self- confident student. I never saw it coming! She was able to make me believe in myself, and all that I could do. It doesn't seem like much, but from a child who came from a broken home with a lot of issues, it was the world. She has been like a second mother to me. To this day she not only inspires me to better myself, she also is one the greatest influences on many of the decisions/choices I have made thus far in life. She has such a passion and drive for what she does, and I am so fortunate to have met her, and had her mentor/tutor me for those years. She helped shape me more than she could ever know, and I am so grateful that she is part of my life even now. Recently, I texted her on her birthday, and then the questions began: "Jake what are your grades " etc. It was like the old days, and I walked around all day with a big smile on my face.

DIANE, Matawan, NJ

My daughter struggled with both reading and math skills in her early years. Mrs. DeFusco utilized her knowledge of multi-sensory programs to meet my daughter's academic needs throughout grammar school. Mrs. B. is a wonderful tutor and we are forever grateful for her expertise!

Luke, Old Bridge, NJ

Mrs. Bette is the best possible learning specialist I could ever have. Not only is she a learning specialist, but she has become part of my family. Mrs. Bette has multiple techniques for teaching her students. She uses many different methods that can vary from a computer disc that works on reading, to writing an essay, to dictation for spelling, and even index cards for vocabulary. She is very creative in her teaching that will keep you on your toes and never make your visits boring.

 

Learning in New Jersey

 

Learning happens everywhere. The DeFusco Center for Dynamic Learning is located in Manalapan, NJ. But it is imperative that parents continue to work with their children and their schools so learning becomes an integrated, 360-degree approach.