Academic Therapy Publications

Established in 1965, Academic Therapy Publications (ATP) was one of the first publishers to meet the needs of teachers, parents, and students in the field of special education and learning disabilities. The company was founded by John Arena, a pioneer in the field of learning disabilities who began his career as an elementary school teacher and then as a teacher for the orthopedically handicapped. He then joined the innovative Dewitt Reading Clinic in San Rafael, California. It was during this time that Mr. Arena became publisher and editor of the journal Academic Therapy. In 1968 he founded the Arena School and Learning Center, of which he was Director until 1977. Mr. Arena had a close relationship with the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA, formerly ACLD), for which he served various functions including International Conference Program Chairman in 1985. He continued to be a consultant to colleagues, parents, and teachers until his death in 1989. Over the years, ATP has extended the range of assessments and supplementary educational materials to include publications that can be used by regular classroom teachers, special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, educational therapists, ESL teachers, parents, and specialists in all fields working with persons with reading, learning, and communication disabilities. ATP's main publishing divisions include: Academic Therapy: standardized tests and reference books, curriculum materials, teacher/parent resources, and visual/perceptual training aids. Popular titles include the Expressive and Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Tests, the Test of Auditory Processing Skills, and the Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills. High Noon Books: high interest, low level books written on a 1st through 4th grade reading level for struggling readers in primary and secondary grades with reading difficulties. Visit High Noon Books.com Ann Arbor Publishers: produces the Ann Arbor line of Visual Perceptual Materials, that are designed primarily to improve letter recognition and eye movement skills required for reading.