Our Program


We offer diagnostic asssessment and learning sessions in San Francisco, Lodi, and Valley Springs, CA

Diagnostic Assessment: We offer a simple diagnostic assessment that tests visual processing, auditory processing, memory skills, and visual motor integration, as well as reversals tendencies and basic academic placement. The assesment takes 30-45 minutes and results are offered directly after the assessment. Students are invited to start classes immediately.


The Harp Learning Integration Program:

• Level 1: Gross Motor~Memory~Basic Academics
• Level 2: Visual Processing~Memory~Increased Academics
• Level 3: Perceptual and Spatial Skills~Memory~More Academics
• Level 4: Auditory Processing~Memory~Independent Academics
• Level 5: Higher Level Processing~Working Memory~Grade Level Academics

Level 1: Orange
The Orange Level starts at the beginning of the learning process and builds gross motor skills through large muscle movement activities and exercises. Also included in the orange level are eye/hand coordination and rudimentary spatial skills as well as beginning visual recall activities and visual motor integration. Academics are presented in a multi-sensory fashion concentrating on basic learning elements. For instance, poor readers concentrate on phonemic units while math facts are emphasized for students weak in math.

Level 2: Red
Red is our visual processing level, where we work on eye muscle movement, tracking across a page, visual discrimination, visual closure, visual memory, and visual processing. This is one of the most important levels of our program since 75-90% of the information we take in is visual. Visual memory grows, and students are expected to hold 4 images in memory. Academic instruction increases and students are now reading multi-syllabic words or performing basic math skills.

Level 3: Purple
Purple is an introduction to auditory processing as well as spatial and perceptual skills. The Purple Level is a transitional level for students where auditory processing is just beginning to be added to the list of activities. This prevents students from shutting down when too much auditory stimulaiton is presented to them. Spatial and perceptual skills are added so that students can perceive information correctly. Auditory and visual memory skills are both emphasized. Academic instruction continues to build on previous skills that were attained. Reading comprehension and fluency can be refined. Multi-step math skills can now be performed.

Level 4: Blue
Blue is our auditory processing level. Students learn to take in information in an auditory fashion and process it. Students work on auditory discrimination, auditory memory, following directions, and auditory processing. The multi-sensory approach to academics begins to taper off at this level so that students are prepared to succeed in a traditional classroom setting. Math and reading skills continue to become more difficult and challenging now that students are gaining a learning foundation.

Level 5: Green
The Green Level focuses on processing information at a higher level than before. The material is similar to the other levels in some ways. For instance, some of the activites are visual, spatial, and auditory, but the activities in the Green Level involve more thinking and processing. Visualization, a key component to academic success, is also presented at this level. Memory building is accentuated and taken to a higher level where students must manipulate memorized information. This is the level where students in essence learn to learn. Students are expected to perform at grade level or higher academically.

Small Group Learning Sessions:

Our students meet once or twice per week in 1 hour small groups to master each of the 5 Harp Learning Integration Program Levels. We have found that students master sensory, memory, and cognitive skills better in small groups. The typical ratio we use is one teacher/technician to two students. Students learn and get inspiration from their teacher, but also from their peers. Students in this setting also learn how to focus and self-regulate, important behaviors for academic success.

Regular Assessment:

Students are continually monitored and tested on each important sensory, memory, and academic skill that is taught. Students must master all skills in a level before moving up to the next level. This insures that a proper academic foundation is built for each student. Students are rewarded with a Certificate of Achievement when moving up to a next level. Students are able to move through each level at their own pace. Each student has a chart that monitors just his/her progress. Each skill is specific to the needs of the student. For instance, if a student does not need a specific skill, then he/she can test out of that skill right away and not waste time performing a skill not needed.

Daily Home Activities:

Parents can also supplement the Harp Learning Integration Program with easy daily exercises and activities in the Harp Learning Institute Workbook. The activities in the workbook take 15-20 minutes and enhance what was learned during sessions at the institute. The workbook is color coded to match the level the student is currently working on. For example, if a student is working at the Orange Level, then the parent has the student perform the Orange section of the workbook. This helps set in what was learned and keeps the progress moving along faster.

To make an appointment for a Free Consultation, Diagnostic Assessment, or to start attending learning sessions, please call:
San Francisco (415)350-6144
Lodi (209)365-0950
Valley Springs (209)772-3371

or email Susan Perkins: susan at harp intstitute dot com