Different Brains, Same Brilliance.

Literacy, learning and advocacy for kids who think differently.
Supporting families across Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and beyond.

Based in Dundas, Ontario · Virtual and in-person services available

Why Choose
Phenomenal Kids?

At Phenomenal Kids, we help kids with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences build the reading, writing, and thinking skills they need to thrive — in school and beyond.

Our Approach

Expert-Led Support: At Phenomenal Kids, we empower children with dyslexia and other neurodiversities to master both literacy and language skills.

Structured Literacy: Evidence-based methods tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Family Advocacy: Guidance to navigate school and community resources effectively.

Holistic Expertise: Combining healthcare knowledge with specialized education strategies to unlock every child's phenomenal potential.

SERVICES

Individualized support for every stage of your child’s learning journey — from assessment and placement to ongoing intervention and executive functioning support.
Every family begins with an assessment. You choose the type that fits where you are, and everything else grows from what we learn.

STEP 1: BEGIN WITH AN ASSESSMENT

Comprehensive Literacy and Learning Assessment

Choose this if you want a thorough picture of how your child learns and a clear sense of where to go next.

A close look at reading, writing, spelling, and executive function, using standardized tools alongside observation of how your child actually approaches a task. You receive a detailed written report that gives teachers, school teams, and other providers a clear picture of how your child learns and what comes next. We go through it together in two parent sessions, and any existing documents are reviewed as part of the process. The report shows what your child does well and how they think, not only where the gaps are, because the strengths are what we build the plan on. Contact us to find out which assessment fits your child.

STEP 1: BEGIN WITH AN ASSESSMENT

Placement Assessment

Choose this if you are ready to begin intervention and need to know where to start.

A 1.5-hour session with direct testing and observation and standardized scores, followed by a 30-minute debrief so you leave knowing what we found and what comes next. You also receive a brief one to two page summary of what we did and the basic results. Document review is available as an add-on. Ongoing sessions can follow from here. Contact us to find out which assessment fits your child.

STEP 2: ONGOING SUPPORT

STRUCTURED LITERACY INTERVENTION

After your assessment, this is where the plan comes to life.

Orton-Gillingham based sessions with Tova at her Dundas office, built from your child's assessment results and what they love. Lessons are multisensory and play-filled, with regulation and connection as the foundation, so reading skills grow without your child's confidence taking a hit. Contact us to find out more.

ALONGSIDE ANY STEP

NAVIGATION AND CONSULTATION.

Add this after your assessment or alongside ongoing sessions, when school feels confusing or stuck.

School planning, IEP and IPRC support, psychoeducational report translation, and family guidance, built on the documentation your assessment provides. Individually proposed and priced. Contact us to find out if this is the right fit.

SESSIONS IN A FARM SETTING

Sessions Through Little Forest Therapy

Choose this if you would like sessions outdoors, with possible extended health coverage.

Two days per week, Tova offers sessions in collaboration with SLP Rebecca Wong Kai Pun at Blue Dot Acres Farm in Burlington. Sessions through this pathway may be covered under extended health benefits. Contact us to learn more.

FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES

For schools, organizations, and families who need something different.

Parent consultation, school advocacy, report review, and individualized guidance. Professional development, workshops, and customized training for schools, educators, and organizations. Resources and referrals when other supports would help. Copy description

The Resource Room

Professional learning and consultation for private schools, educators, and allied health professionals

Your students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD deserve teachers who understand how their brains work. The Resource Room brings specialist knowledge directly to your staff: practical, evidence-based, and grounded in real classroom experience.

Webinars and Workshops

Professional learning sessions on literacy, executive function, and neurodiversity-affirming practice. Designed for learning support staff, classroom teachers, and interdisciplinary teams. Available as standalone sessions or multi-part series. Certificates of participation provided.

School Consultancy

Tailored support for private schools navigating structured literacy implementation, learning support program design, and building capacity to serve neurodiverse learners. Contact us to discuss your school’s needs.

Professional Consultations

One-time or ongoing consultations for educators, tutors, EAs, SLPs, and OTs. Bring a student profile, a program question, or a school challenge, and leave with a clear next step.

Meet the Team

Tova Vertes

Founder

Tova Vertes, founder and lead navigator of Phenomenal Kids, is dedicated to empowering children and their families. With a background in pediatric therapies, she brings a holistic approach to understanding and supporting the whole child within the education system. Inspired by her love of nature and problem-solving, Tova is committed to making a meaningful difference in every child’s journey.

Dizzy

Therapy Dog Extraordinaire

Dizzy is Phenomenal Kids mascot and resident therapy dog. Dizzy is a beautiful mutt rescued from Florida with a great skill of connecting with people of all ages, abilities and personalities. Dizzy specializes in sleeping through structured literacy lessons, asking for tummy rubs and treats.

HOW PHENOMENAL KIDS WORKS

We start by understanding your child, not just what they struggle with, but how they learn, what they love, and what school actually feels like for them.

We use standardized and functional tools to build a clear picture of reading, writing, spelling, and thinking skills.

We create a plan that makes sense, and we make sure school knows about it too.

You are never left wondering what to do next.

Testimonials

My son has been meeting with Tova for 6 months and the progress he’s made is incredible. He looks forward to each of his lessons and literally runs to Tova's office door. He always comes out of the lesson looking happy and confident, you’d never guess he spent an hour learning! Whenever I observe a lesson he is always engaged in a new literacy game or activity. And even when he hits moments of frustration, Tova is able to bring him out of a negative mindset and guide him in a way that builds his confidence. We are so grateful that our son gets to learn with Tova.

Our son has been working with Tova twice a week for 3 months. In that time Tova has proven herself to be patient, compassionate, creative, and flexible. She has completed baseline assessments and a few follow-ups with our son and created a very detailed report for us to share with the school - which was described as the most detailed report from a tutor they had seen. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Tova and wish we had encountered her earlier in our son’s learning journey.

We have been clients of Tova at Phenomenal Kids for three years, and I cannot recommend her enough! I have two children with different forms of dyslexia, one of whom also faces the added challenge of ADHD. Tova has an incredible ability to connect with each of my kids, capturing their attention and keeping them engaged with individualized, multisensory lesson plans. Thanks to her expertise and dedication, we have seen significant improvement in both of our children over the course of their tutoring. Tova’s support has been instrumental in building their confidence and skills, and we are so grateful for the positive impact she has had on their education and overall development.

Our daughter has been going to Tova for a couple months now and she absolutely loves her. She is always eager and happy to go. And to top it all off we’ve already seen huge improvements in her reading and confidence. Thanks Tova!

Different Brains, Same Brilliance.

Why Choose
Phenomenal Kids?

SERVICES

STEP 1: BEGIN WITH AN ASSESSMENT