Our History
In 2000, Claire Nissenbaum, F/AOGP. M.A., CAT founded ASDEC to help dyslexic children and adults overcome barriers to learning. Along with the clinical psychologist Betty Levinson, with whom she had partnered since 1974, Ms. Nissenbaum developed the only training center in the Washington, DC region that offers IMSLEC accredited, IDA endorsed evidence-based structured, multisensory techniques in language skills (decoding, fluency, spelling, writing, vocabulary, and comprehension) and math.
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Educators, parents and psychologists recognize ASDEC for our highly effective instructional practices that prepare early educators, classroom teachers and specialists to end academic failure for all students.
Our Founder
Claire Nissenbaum, M.A., C.A.T Emeritus, who passed away in 2021, was the Founder of the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC). Ms. Nissenbaum had over 30 years of experience working in the field of language-based learning differences. She was a principal in the TRI-Services National Institute of Dyslexia for 15 years. She was a founding Board Member of the International Multisensory Structured Language Association (IMSLEC) and a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the 32 Scottish Rite Masons Children's Learning Centers.
​​​​Mrs. Nissenbaum founded ASDEC in 2000 after a long career in learning disabilities education, and led the organization until she retired in 2009. She was a founding Board Member of the International Multisensory Structured Language Association (IMSLEC) and a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the 32 Scottish Rite Masons Children's Learning Centers.
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Born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Claire started her career as an elementary school teacher. She moved to the Washington, DC area in the 1950’s where she first taught reading in a public school then pursued her dream of investigative journalism. As a journalist, she frequently returned to themes of childhood poverty, abuse and poor educational opportunities. In the 1970’s Claire returned to her work in education when she met Dr. Betty Levinson, a ground-breaking child psychologist who co-founded Tri-Services Center for children and adults with learning differences.
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In 1980, Claire and Betty opened TRI-Services Center/National Institute of Dyslexia with her long-time friend and business partner, Dr. Betty Levinson, a clinical psychologist. They later founded the Center School in Chevy Chase, Maryland for children with dyslexia and related learning disabilities, which included a summer camp and a graduate training program. She played a leadership role in The International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council as well as the International Dyslexia Association and was a practitioner in the Academy of Orton-Gillingham. Claire received several major awards, including the American Federation of Teachers' John Dewey lifetime educator award. In 1987, the Center School was recognized by the White House Office of Education as a model educational program, and in 1977, Tri-Services was honored by the President's Commission on Mental Health.
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ASDEC stands on the shoulders of a giant in the practice of Dyslexia Education, Claire Nissenbaum. The outstanding clinicians she has trained continue her legacy, trained hundreds of experts who commit to Claire’s high standards of training plus clinical residency.