If you’ve ever watched a child guess at words using pictures or context clues, you’ve seen a common reading strategy taught in many classrooms. For a child with dyslexia, this approach can be incredibly frustrating and ineffective. It’s like asking them to solve a puzzle without giving them the right pieces. Students with dyslexia don’t need to guess; they need to be taught the code of the English language directly and systematically. This is where specialized instruction makes all the difference. Understanding this fundamental contrast is the first step in finding the best reading program for dyslexia—one that replaces guesswork with a clear, logical, and empowering path to literacy.
Key Takeaways
- Shift your perspective on reading struggles: Dyslexia isn’t about a lack of effort; it’s a common learning difference in how the brain processes language. Knowing this helps you move from frustration to finding effective, targeted support for your learner.
- Look for a research-based structure: The most effective programs follow the Science of Reading. Prioritize curricula built on the Orton-Gillingham approach, which uses explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction to teach the code of language directly.
- Choose a program that fits your life: The best curriculum works for both the learner and the teacher. Evaluate how a program aligns with your child’s specific needs, your teaching environment, and your need for easy-to-follow lessons to ensure long-term success.
What is Dyslexia and How Does It Affect Reading?
If you’ve noticed a child struggling to read, you know how frustrating it can be for everyone involved. You see their potential, but something just isn’t clicking. Often, the underlying cause is dyslexia, a common learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. Understanding what
Defining dyslexia
At its core, dyslexia is a specific learning disability that makes it difficult to read, write, and spell. This challenge stems from trouble processing the individual sounds in language, which is a key skill for decoding words on a page. It’s a common misconception that dyslexia is about seeing letters backward. While some children might mix up letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’, the issue is much more complex. It’s a language-based difference that can make reading feel like a constant puzzle, affecting a child’s ability to read fluently and accurately. With the right instruction, however, these challenges can be overcome.
How dyslexia impacts the ability to read
You might be surprised to learn how common dyslexia is. It affects about one in five people, making it the most prevalent learning disability. This means that in a typical classroom, several students are likely navigating these reading challenges every day. Without targeted support, students with dyslexia can fall behind, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence. The good news is that research has shown us what works. Students who receive instruction through a Structured Literacy framework show significant improvement in their reading skills. This proves that with the right approach, every child can learn to read successfully.
Key signs of dyslexia by age
The signs of dyslexia can show up at different ages, and they go beyond simply struggling with reading. If you’re wondering what to look for, here are a few common indicators.
In preschoolers, you might notice:
- Difficulty recognizing the letters in their own name
- Trouble learning and remembering the alphabet
- Mispronouncing familiar words or using “baby talk”
- Struggling to recite nursery rhymes
In elementary school students, signs can include:
- Difficulty sounding out simple words
- Trouble remembering sight words
- Reading slowly and with a lot of effort
- Avoiding reading aloud in class
If a child is still struggling significantly with reading by age eight despite consistent effort, it can be a strong indicator. Noticing these signs is the first step toward getting them the help they need to build confidence and find joy in reading.
What Makes a Reading Program Work for Dyslexia?
When you’re looking for a reading program for a child with dyslexia, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. The good news is that decades of research have shown us exactly what works. The most effective programs aren’t just about practice; they are built on a specific structure that directly addresses how the dyslexic brain learns. These methods are grounded in the Science of Reading, which has identified the core components needed to teach reading successfully.
Instead of asking a child to memorize whole words or guess from context—methods that often fail students with dyslexia—these programs teach the fundamental code of the English language in a way that makes sense. They are designed to be clear, logical, and empowering for students who have struggled with other approaches. The key is to find a program that incorporates a few non-negotiable elements: the Orton-Gillingham approach, multisensory learning, and a systematic, cumulative structure. When these pieces are in place, you create a powerful learning environment where your student can finally build the skills and confidence they need to become a successful reader.
The Orton-Gillingham approach
If you’ve been researching dyslexia, you’ve likely come across the term Orton-Gillingham. There’s a good reason for that—it’s widely considered the gold standard for teaching students with dyslexia. The Orton-Gillingham approach isn’t a specific curriculum but a teaching framework that is structured, sequential, and explicit. It was designed from the ground up to help students who struggle with language processing.
Instead of leaving things to chance, this method breaks reading and spelling down into their smallest components and teaches them directly. It connects sounds to letters in a logical order, ensuring students master one skill before moving to the next. This systematic process helps build a solid foundation, giving learners the tools they need to decode words accurately and fluently.
Why multisensory learning is key
Multisensory learning is a game-changer for students with dyslexia. It simply means teaching with activities that engage more than one sense at a time—typically sight, sound, touch, and even movement. For example, a student might see the letter ‘b’, say its sound /b/, and trace the letter’s shape in a sand tray all at once. This approach creates multiple pathways in the brain for information to travel and be stored.
For a child whose brain has difficulty processing written language, these extra pathways make a huge difference. It helps cement the connections between letters and their sounds, making retrieval easier and more automatic. Engaging the senses also makes learning more memorable and fun, which is a welcome change for students who have found reading to be a frustrating experience.
The importance of systematic, explicit instruction
For a reading program to be effective for dyslexia, instruction must be both systematic and explicit. This is a core principle of any Structured Literacy framework. “Systematic” means that skills are taught in a logical, carefully planned sequence that builds from simple to complex. Students learn predictable letter-sound relationships before moving on to more complicated spelling rules.
“Explicit” means that the instruction is direct and unambiguous. The teacher explains concepts clearly and provides students with plenty of guided practice and immediate feedback. Nothing is left for the student to figure out on their own. This direct approach ensures there are no gaps in a child’s understanding and gives them a clear roadmap for learning to read.
Building skills with a cumulative design
A cumulative design is the final piece of the puzzle. It means that every lesson builds directly upon the concepts that came before it. Students are never introduced to a new skill without having mastered the prerequisite ones. For example, they won’t be asked to read a word with a consonant blend until they have a firm grasp on individual consonant sounds.
This structure also includes constant review and repetition of previously learned material. This continuous reinforcement is essential for moving skills from short-term to long-term memory. By building on a solid foundation and consistently practicing, students gain mastery and confidence. They feel successful at each step, which motivates them to keep learning and tackling more complex reading and spelling challenges.
How Dyslexia Reading Programs Compare to Traditional Methods
If you’ve ever felt like conventional reading instruction just isn’t clicking for your child, you’re not alone. The methods used in many classrooms are often not designed for the way a dyslexic brain processes language. It’s not about a lack of effort or intelligence; it’s about needing a different key to open the door to reading. Programs designed for dyslexia move away from guesswork and memorization, focusing instead on a direct, structured, and multisensory path to literacy. They teach the “how” and “why” behind reading, building a solid foundation that traditional methods can sometimes miss. This targeted approach directly addresses the specific challenges a student with dyslexia faces, making reading less of a puzzle and more of a skill they can master with confidence.
Explicit phonics vs. the whole language approach
Many traditional classrooms have used a “whole language” approach, which encourages children to use context clues and pictures to guess unfamiliar words. While this can work for some, it often leaves students with dyslexia feeling lost. They need a more direct map to decode language. This is where explicit phonics instruction comes in. Instead of guessing, students are taught the specific relationships between letters and the sounds they make. A program grounded in the Science of Reading teaches students to look at a word, break it into its sounds, and put those sounds together to read. It’s a systematic method that removes the ambiguity and provides clear rules for reading and spelling.
A focus on sequential skill building
Another key difference is the structure of the lessons. Effective dyslexia programs are built on the principles of Structured Literacy, where concepts are taught in a logical, sequential order. Each lesson builds directly on the skills learned in the previous one, creating a strong, interconnected web of knowledge. Think of it like building with LEGOs—you need to connect the bottom pieces securely before you can add the next layer. This cumulative approach ensures there are no gaps in a child’s understanding. They master foundational skills like identifying individual sounds before moving on to blending sounds, reading words, and eventually, understanding sentences and paragraphs. This prevents students from becoming overwhelmed and helps build their confidence at every step.
The role of individualized support
In a busy classroom, it’s nearly impossible for one teacher to provide the consistent, one-on-one attention a student with dyslexia needs. Dyslexia reading programs are designed to be delivered in a more personalized way, allowing the instruction to match the student’s unique pace. This is why many parents find success with a dedicated homeschool curriculum that allows them to provide that focused support. Methods like the Orton-Gillingham approach are inherently diagnostic and prescriptive, meaning the lessons are tailored to address the child’s specific areas of difficulty. This individualized support ensures the student truly masters a concept before moving on, which is essential for long-term reading success.
How the PRIDE Reading Program Can Help
When you’re looking for a program that truly understands the needs of a learner with dyslexia, you need something built on a proven foundation. The PRIDE Reading Program is designed from the ground up to provide explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction that helps children make real, lasting progress. It’s not just about teaching reading; it’s about building a new foundation for literacy, one skill at a time, in a way that makes sense to the dyslexic brain.
Our curriculum aligns with the Science of Reading and is designed to be incredibly easy to implement, whether you’re a classroom teacher or a parent teaching at the kitchen table. You don’t need any special training to get started. The program is fully scripted, guiding you through every step of every lesson. This means you can focus on what matters most: connecting with your learner and celebrating their success. Let’s look at how our program provides the specific support your child needs.
Our research-based structured literacy framework
At the heart of our program is the Orton-Gillingham approach, a method that has been trusted for decades and is scientifically recognized for its effectiveness with all learners, especially those with dyslexia. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all curriculum. It’s a structured, sequential system that introduces concepts in a logical order, ensuring a student masters one skill before moving on to the next. This cumulative process prevents gaps in learning and builds a strong, reliable framework for reading and spelling. By focusing on this explicit instruction, we help students understand the rules of the English language instead of just memorizing words.
Using multisensory tools and decodable books
Children with dyslexia learn best when they can engage multiple senses. That’s why our program is packed with multisensory activities. Students don’t just see letters; they trace them, say their sounds aloud, and use letter tiles to build words. This combination of seeing, hearing, and touching helps create strong neural pathways that make learning stick. To put these new skills into practice, students read our engaging decodable books. These stories are carefully written using only the phonetic skills the child has already learned, allowing them to experience real reading success and build the confidence they need to keep going.
Flexible solutions for schools and homeschools
We know that effective reading instruction needs to work in different environments. That’s why we offer tailored curriculum solutions for both school districts and families. For schools, our program provides a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum that can be implemented classroom-wide or as a targeted intervention. For parents, our homeschool curriculum offers the same powerful, Orton-Gillingham-based instruction in a format that’s easy to follow at home. The scripted, step-by-step teaching guides ensure you can deliver high-quality instruction with confidence, regardless of your background.
Get extra support with reading specialists and summer programs
Even with the best curriculum, sometimes you need a little extra help. We want every family and educator to feel fully supported on their journey. If you’re looking for one-on-one instruction, our trained PRIDE Reading Specialists can work directly with your child online. For those who want to give their learner an intensive boost, our Accelerated Summer Program offers a fantastic opportunity to strengthen skills and prevent learning loss over the break. These options provide an extra layer of support, ensuring your child has everything they need to become a confident, capable reader.
A Look at Other Orton-Gillingham Reading Programs
The PRIDE Reading Program is a comprehensive, out-of-the-box solution, but it’s one of several effective programs built on the Orton-Gillingham approach. Understanding the landscape can help you make the most informed choice for your student. Many programs share the core principles of structured, multisensory instruction, but they often differ in their format, pacing, and intended setting. While they all aim for the same goal of literacy success, their methods and materials can vary quite a bit. Here’s a look at a few other well-regarded Orton-Gillingham programs that you might come across in your research.
Wilson Reading System
The Wilson Reading System is a structured literacy program known for being highly effective for students with dyslexia. It is an intensive program often used in schools for students in grades 2-12 and adults who struggle with decoding and encoding. The curriculum is organized into 12 steps, which cover everything from basic letter sounds to complex word structures. It places a strong emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, making it a popular choice among educators who need a thorough, research-based intervention tool. Wilson requires extensive teacher training and certification to implement with fidelity, so it’s typically found in a school setting rather than for at-home use by parents.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is another Orton-Gillingham-based program that is great for one-on-one tutoring. It’s designed to be used by parents, tutors, or teachers and is known for its scripted, easy-to-follow lessons. The system is broken down into 10 levels that systematically build reading and spelling skills. Because it uses many senses and has ready-to-use lessons, it has become a very accessible option for homeschool use. The program’s explicit instruction and structured format provide a clear path for students who need a methodical approach to literacy. It’s a solid choice for families looking for a program they can implement themselves with minimal guesswork.
All About Reading
All About Reading is an Orton-Gillingham-based curriculum that employs a multisensory approach and frequent review, which is particularly effective for children with dyslexia. This program is especially popular with homeschool families because of its engaging, hands-on activities and lightly scripted lessons that are easy to teach. The program is designed to make reading a positive and successful experience, with a “go-at-your-own-pace” philosophy that ensures mastery before moving on. It’s important to note that it separates reading and spelling into two different programs, allowing you to place your child at the appropriate level for each skill, but this also means purchasing two separate curricula for a complete language arts education.
Take Flight Curriculum
Developed at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Take Flight is a comprehensive reading program specifically designed for students with dyslexia. It is a two-year curriculum that can be used in a small group setting. Take Flight incorporates the Orton-Gillingham approach and focuses on the five essential components of effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. It’s a very thorough and intensive program intended for use by highly trained academic language therapists, ensuring a well-rounded literacy education for students with significant reading difficulties. Because of the training required, it’s most often found in clinical or specialized school environments.
Your Checklist for Choosing a Reading Program
Finding the right reading program can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to look for makes the process much clearer. The most effective programs for students with dyslexia share several core features grounded in research. They are designed not just to teach reading, but to rewire the brain’s approach to language. Think of this as your essential checklist. As you evaluate different options, you can measure them against these criteria to see how they stack up.
A truly effective program moves beyond traditional methods to provide explicit, structured, and multisensory instruction that meets your child where they are. It should be systematic, with each lesson building on the last, ensuring no gaps are left in your child’s understanding. The goal is to build a solid foundation of literacy skills that will support them for a lifetime. Use these points to guide your search and find a program that empowers your learner to become a confident, capable reader.
Strong phonics and phonemic awareness instruction
This is the non-negotiable foundation of any effective reading program for dyslexia. The most helpful programs are based on strong research and follow the Science of Reading, which explains how our brains learn to read. This means the curriculum must explicitly and systematically teach phonics—the relationship between letters and sounds. It also needs to build phonemic awareness, which is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. A program that masters these skills gives students the essential tools they need to decode words accurately and automatically.
Tools to track progress
How do you know if the program is actually working? You need clear, consistent ways to measure your child’s progress. A quality reading program should include built-in assessments, whether they are simple checks for understanding after a lesson or more formal evaluations. This allows you and your child’s teacher to see growth over time, identify areas where they might be struggling, and celebrate their successes along the way. Having access to this data is crucial for ensuring the instruction remains targeted and effective, making it a key feature of any homeschool curriculum or school-based program.
Integrated spelling and writing practice
Reading and spelling are two sides of the same coin. A comprehensive program won’t treat them as separate subjects. Instead, it will integrate spelling and writing directly into the reading lessons. This approach reinforces the phonics patterns a child is learning. For example, after learning the “sh” sound, a student should practice reading, spelling, and writing words with that sound. This multisensory reinforcement helps solidify the connection between sounds and letters, which is a core principle of the Orton-Gillingham approach. When spelling is taught alongside reading, students develop a much deeper understanding of language structure.
A flexible pace for your learner
Every child learns differently, and a one-size-fits-all pace simply doesn’t work for students with dyslexia. The right program allows you to move at your child’s speed, ensuring they achieve mastery at each step before moving on to the next concept. This mastery-based approach prevents frustration and builds confidence. Look for a program that offers short, manageable lessons that can easily fit into your schedule. The ability to tailor the pacing to your learner’s individual needs is critical for long-term success and helps keep them engaged and motivated throughout their reading journey.
How to Choose the Right Program for Your Child
Picking a reading program is a significant decision, and it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the options. The goal isn’t just to find a program, but to find the right one that clicks with your child and fits into your life. When you know what to look for, you can make a confident choice that sets your child up for success. Thinking through your child’s specific needs, your teaching setup, and the practical side of things like cost and time will help you find the perfect match.
Assess your child’s unique needs
Every child learns differently, and children with dyslexia require very specific teaching methods to build strong reading and spelling skills. A generic program just won’t cut it. The most effective reading programs for students with dyslexia are grounded in solid research and designed to address their unique learning profile. Look for a curriculum that is explicit, systematic, and multisensory. This isn’t just about finding a program that’s “dyslexia-friendly”; it’s about finding one that was built from the ground up with the principles of structured literacy in mind, ensuring every lesson directly targets the skills your child needs to develop.
Consider your teaching environment
Where will the learning happen? The right program should work for you, whether you’re a parent teaching one-on-one at the kitchen table or an educator managing a classroom. Homeschooling can be a fantastic option for children with dyslexia, as it allows for the focused, individualized instruction they often need. In a school setting, teachers need a program that is easy to implement and adaptable for different learners. The best curricula are scripted and straightforward, removing the guesswork so you can focus on teaching. The PRIDE Reading Program, for example, is an easy-to-use structured literacy curriculum designed for children of all ages, making it a great fit for any environment.
Evaluate the cost and commitment
A reading program is an investment of your time, energy, and money, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for. Look at the full scope of the program. For instance, the PRIDE Reading Program includes multiple levels that build on each other, from pre-reading to reading comprehension. This structure gives you a clear path forward. Before you commit financially, see if you can try the program out. We’re so confident that our approach will work for you that we offer a free introductory course for you to experience it firsthand. This lets you see the materials and teaching style, ensuring it’s a good fit for both you and your child before you make a purchase.
Helpful Resources for Parents and Educators
Finding the right reading program is a huge step, but the support doesn’t have to stop there. A wealth of resources is available to help you create a comprehensive and encouraging learning environment. From professional development to community support, these tools can make a real difference for you and your learner.
Professional training and certifications
Diving into the world of dyslexia-specific instruction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to be an expert overnight. Many organizations offer training on structured literacy methods. The Orton-Gillingham approach, for example, is a scientifically-backed method that forms the foundation of the PRIDE Reading Program. Understanding the principles behind this approach can give you more confidence in your teaching. Pursuing training can equip you with the strategies and deeper knowledge needed to effectively support a student with dyslexia, ensuring they receive the systematic and explicit instruction they need to succeed.
Assistive technology and digital tools
Technology can be a fantastic partner to your core reading curriculum. Digital tools and apps offer new ways to practice skills in an engaging, interactive format. Programs that use a Structured Literacy approach can be particularly effective, providing students with immediate feedback and personalized learning paths that adapt to their pace. These assistive technology tools are not meant to replace direct instruction but can be a powerful supplement for reinforcing phonics, building fluency, and keeping your learner motivated. They offer another avenue for practice that can make learning feel fresh and fun.
Dyslexia screening and assessment info
If you suspect your child has dyslexia, getting a formal evaluation is one of the most helpful steps you can take. While signs and screeners can point you in the right direction, a professional assessment provides a clear diagnosis and a detailed profile of your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. This information is invaluable for tailoring instruction to their specific needs. Understanding the full picture empowers you to advocate for your child effectively and choose the right interventions. You can learn more about the signs and characteristics by exploring what dyslexia is and how it impacts learning.
Find support and advocacy groups
You are not alone on this journey. Connecting with other parents and educators who understand dyslexia can provide incredible emotional support and practical advice. Advocacy groups and online communities are wonderful places to ask questions, share successes, and find encouragement from people who get it. Organizations like the International Dyslexia Association offer a treasure trove of resources, from webinars and articles to local chapters where you can connect with others. Building a support network makes the process feel less isolating and reminds you that you’re part of a strong, knowledgeable community.
Related Articles
- Choosing the Right Science of Reading Curriculum – Structured Literacy | Pride Reading Program
- Reading Programs for Dyslexia: What You Need to Know – Structured Literacy | Pride Reading Program
- The Ultimate Guide to Reading Programs for Dyslexics – Structured Literacy | Pride Reading Program
Frequently Asked Questions
My child sometimes mixes up letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’. Is this a sure sign of dyslexia? While letter reversals can be one indicator, they are also a very normal part of early childhood development. Many young children mix up letters as they learn to read and write. Dyslexia is much more than just seeing letters backward; it’s a language-based learning difference that primarily affects a child’s ability to process the sounds within words. It’s more helpful to look at a broader pattern of signs, such as difficulty rhyming, trouble sounding out words, or avoiding reading altogether.
What makes an Orton-Gillingham program different from other phonics programs I see in stores? Think of it this way: while most phonics programs teach the sounds letters make, an Orton-Gillingham program provides a complete blueprint for how to put them all together. It’s a highly structured and sequential framework, meaning it teaches skills in a logical order and ensures a child masters one concept before moving to the next. It also uses multisensory techniques—engaging sight, sound, and touch—to help cement learning in the brain. This systematic approach leaves no room for guessing and builds a truly solid foundation for reading.
I’m a busy parent with no teaching background. Can I realistically use a program like this at home? Absolutely. Many of the best Orton-Gillingham programs, including the PRIDE Reading Program, are designed specifically for parents to use at home. They come with scripted, step-by-step lesson plans that guide you through every activity, so you don’t need any prior teaching experience. The most important thing you can provide is consistent, one-on-one support, and these programs give you the exact tools you need to do that with confidence.
How do I know if my child needs a special program? Shouldn’t school be enough? Schools do their best to support all students, but classroom instruction often can’t provide the intensive, individualized, and specific type of teaching that a child with dyslexia needs. If you notice your child is working incredibly hard but still falling behind, or if conventional reading methods just aren’t clicking for them, it’s a strong sign they could benefit from a different approach. A specialized program directly targets their challenges in a way that a general curriculum simply can’t.
Is there a specific age when it’s best to start a dyslexia reading program? The simple answer is that the earlier you can start, the better. Early intervention can help a child build a strong foundation before frustration and self-doubt set in. However, it is truly never too late to help someone learn to read. Because Orton-Gillingham programs teach the structure of language in such a direct and logical way, they are effective for learners of all ages, from young children just starting out to teenagers and even adults who have struggled for years.