Shelton admits learning-different students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

MTA (Multisensory Teaching Approach)

Shelton Academic Language Approach (SALA)

The Shelton Academic Language Approach (SALA) is an IMSLEC and IDA accredited course utilizing structured, multi-sensory language instruction based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach for teaching reading, handwriting, spelling, comprehension and written expression. The content moves from simple to complex and from the most dependable, reliable patterns in our language to the less dependable and reliable. SALA is based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach and utilizes the Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) materials developed by Margaret Taylor Smith.

Upon completion of the course and the associated practicum, participants will be eligible to sit for the Alliance National Registration Examination and gain national certification through the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) as a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) and therefore, be eligible for licensure as Licensed Practitioners (LPs).

SALA (MTA) Therapy Level Training Certification is also available after completion of Teaching Level Certification.

This course may be taken for graduate level credit as part of the required coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching through Dallas Baptist University. Get more information about Degree Programs through DBU.

This course is taught at the Shelton School in Dallas, Texas. (map)

Contact Chris Bedenbaugh with questions or for more information.

Teaching Level Certification Coursework

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Learn more about the SALA program. (PDF)

Please contact cteague@shelton.org with questions.

Coursework and Practicum – $3600
Courses and practicum for Teaching Level certification are listed below.  Kit 1, Alphabet/Dictionary Guide, Procedures Booklet, and Handwriting Manual are provided. Kits 2 - 4 may be purchased through MTS Publications. Allow three weeks for delivery. Student materials are reproducible and included in the kits.

Course Description: SALA, an IMSLEC and IDA accredited course, addresses basic language skills for reading, writing and spelling. Participants are trained in the use of a multisensory structured language program for students with specific language disabilities such as dyslexia and related disorders. SALA is based on the Alphabetic Phonics approach and utilizes the Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) materials developed by Margaret Taylor Smith.

This course satisfies all requirements at the Teaching Level and prepares the participant for the Alliance National Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Practitioner Level.

A maximum of 25 participants per group.

Prerequisite: A Bachelor's degree is required for Teaching Level certification

  • Teaching Written Language Skills Intervention for Students with Dyslexia with an Alphabetic Phonics Approach
    (EDUC 5345)
    • Teaching Level Date Option 1: June 5-9, 2023 - REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON MAY 22, 2023 
    • Teaching Level Date Option 2: July 24-28, 2023 - REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 10, 2023 
  • Theory to Practice
    (MTA based, DBU Course EDUC 5352)
    This course satisfies all requirements at the Teaching Level and prepares the participant for the Alliance National Registration Exam at the Dyslexia Practitioner Level.
    Course Instructor: Chris Bedenbaugh
    • Option 1: Fall 2023/Spring 2024
    • Option 2: Fall 2023/Spring 2024 
  • Teaching Level Practicum I (EDUC 6340)
    • Required for certification
    • 5 demonstration lessons (minimum)
    • 60 clinical teaching hours
    • Minimum 9-month period

Therapy Level Certification Coursework

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Learn more about the SALA program. (PDF)

Coursework and Practicum – $3500
All instructor materials needed to implement the program are included. Student materials are not included, however, guidance is given in selecting and purchasing appropriate student materials.

  • Teaching Written Language Skills with an Alphabetic Phonics Approach - Therapy Level
    (EDUC 5350)
    Some instructor materials needed to implement the program are included. Additional materials will need to be purchased from www.mtspublications.com. Guidance will be provided. Participants must have completed the corresponding Teaching Level course prior to enrolling in this Therapy Level course. This course satisfies 80 hours of the 245 hours required for certification at the Therapy Level. The course will train participants in the therapeutic analysis of written language disorders. A master’s degree is recommended for Therapy Level Certification (by completion of the coursework and practicum.)
    Course Instructor: Chris Bedenbaugh
    • Option 1: June 12 - 16, 2023 (8:30 am to 5:30 pm) REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON MAY 29, 2023
  • Diagnosing Learning-Different Children – Referral and Testing (DBU EDUC 5344)
    Participants must have bachelor’s degree. This on-site course will provide an overview of the diagnostic criteria for Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Reading Disorder or dyslexia, and Developmental Coordination Disorder or dysgraphia, the most common learning disabilities, as well as ADHD, one of the most common behavioral difficulties. Participants will be taught the general guidelines for administering some of the psychoeducational tests used to evaluate these difficulties, will practice interpreting testing reports, and will learn what interventions are most appropriate for each disorder. Completion of this course would be part of a degree or licensure/certification plan, but would not qualify the participant to diagnose without further training.
    Course Instructor: Laure Ames, Ph.D.  
    • Option 1: June 5-9, 2023 - REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON MAY 22, 2023
    • Option 2: July 24-28, 2023 - REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON JULY 10, 2023
  • Saturday Seminars
    • Fall 2023 Seminars - 5 Saturdays 8:30pm - 4:30pm 
      Classroom Management of the Learning Different Student (EDUC 5342)
      Spring 2024 Seminars - 5 Saturdays 8:30pm - 4:30pm 
      Classroom Instruction of the Learning Different Student (EDUC 5343)

      The Saturday Seminars are part of the Therapy Level coursework in MTA/SALA and are included in the Therapy Level course fee.
  • Therapy Level Practicum II (EDUC 6341)
    • Required for certification
    • 10 demonstration lessons (minimum)
    • 350 clinical teaching hours (minimum)
    • Minimum 2-year period

This course may be taken for graduate level credit as part of the required coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching through Dallas Baptist University. Get more information about Degree Programs through DBU.