NILD Discovery Program

The NILD program is highly effective educational therapy that addresses underlying issues that cause students to struggle to learn. The process of learning becomes easier and they catch up with their peers academically. Examples of students who would benefit from educational therapy are those that struggle with reading, writing, spelling, math, oral or written multi-step directions, or take a long time to complete homework assignments.

● Does your child struggle with reading quickly and understanding what he/she has read?
● Does your child frequently forget math facts?
● Does your child get frustrated and spend an unreasonable amount of time on homework?
● Does your child have difficulty spelling?
● Does your child have difficulty writing legibly?
● Does your child have difficulty focusing?
● Does your child have difficulty organizing personal space and time?
● Does your child have difficulty following 3-step directions?
^{*Warning Signs Checklist taken from www.nild.org}

If you answer “YES” to 3 or more of these questions, you may want to
contact Christine Osborne (cosborne@covenantva.org) for more information.

Meet Our NILD Therapists

Karen Blocker

Karen Blocker graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Mary Washington College (now University!) and an M.Ed from James Madison University. She taught fifth grade for eight years in Fairfax and Prince William Counties, and two years at Highland School in Warrenton. Six years ago, her children had the amazing opportunity to join the CCA family. After attending an NILD information session at CCA in 2018, she knew she wanted to become an educational therapist because NILD’s program aligned with her passion to help children with learning differences become competent, confident learners. In the summer of 2020, Karen began the training to become an NILD Educational Therapist and has been working with students in this capacity for three years. In the summer of 2022, she became a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (PCET) and is trained to administer the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, coaching swimming, traveling, reading, and serving at her church and school.

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Christine Osborne

Christine Osborne has been in the field of education for over twenty years. However, her passion for learning and helping struggling students started earlier than that. At the age of seven Christine was diagnosed with dyslexia. What appeared to be a thorn in her side God has used for good. This gift has given Christine a deeper understanding of the struggles that many students face. Christine was introduced to NILD while teaching second grade at a private school in Sterling, Virginia. This piqued her interest and desire to learn more about this organization and how educational therapy can best help struggling students. After teaching overseas, in private schools, and Fairfax County Public School Christine chose to stay home after the birth of her two children. Watching her child struggle through school became the catalyst for taking the level one NILD training in 2014. Since then she has completed all three levels of training. She is also trained in executive function coaching, RX for Writing, and administering the Woodcock-Johnson IV test of achievement.
Christine has a passion for making sure students know that God uniquely created them for a purpose and to use them to glorify Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”