Learning to read is like building a house. You need a solid foundation before you can put up the walls and the roof. For children with dyslexia, some of those foundational blocks, like connecting sounds to letters, are harder to put in place. A quality reading program for dyslexics acts as the blueprint, ensuring every skill is taught explicitly and in the right order, leaving no gaps in the foundation. It provides a structured, step-by-step plan that makes the complex code of written language logical and accessible. Here, we’ll walk you through what that blueprint should look like, from phonological awareness to multisensory learning, so you can choose a program that builds a lifetime of reading success.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize research-backed methods: The most effective support for a child with dyslexia comes from a curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading. Look for programs that use a Structured Literacy or Orton-Gillingham approach to teach reading skills systematically and explicitly.
- Select a program with a complete support system: A great curriculum is more than just lessons. It should include easy-to-follow teaching guides, built-in progress tracking, and essential resources like decodable books that allow your child to practice their skills with confidence.
- Build confidence beyond the curriculum: The right program is essential, but so is a positive learning environment. You can help your child succeed by celebrating small wins, praising their effort, and creating a consistent, supportive space for them to practice and grow.
What is Dyslexia?
If you’ve noticed your child struggling with reading and spelling, you might have come across the term dyslexia. It’s a word that can feel intimidating, but understanding what it means is the first step toward getting your child the right support. Dyslexia is a very common learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. It has nothing to do with a child’s intelligence or how hard they try; in fact, many people with dyslexia are incredibly bright and creative.
The core challenge for individuals with dyslexia lies in phonological processing, which is the ability to recognize and work with the sounds in language. This can make it tough to match letters to their sounds, decode words, and spell accurately. It’s not a phase a child will simply grow out of, and it requires specific, targeted instruction to build the neural pathways for reading. Recognizing the signs early and using an effective, research-based reading approach can make all the difference. With the right tools and instruction, children with dyslexia can absolutely become confident, successful readers.
Defining Dyslexia
At its core, dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It’s characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities. These challenges typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language. In simpler terms, the brain has a harder time processing the individual sounds (phonemes) that make up words. This isn’t a problem with vision; a common myth is that dyslexia is about seeing letters backward, but it’s really about how the brain interprets the language it sees and hears.
How Dyslexia Affects Learning
Dyslexia is more common than many people realize, affecting about one in five individuals and accounting for the vast majority of all learning disabilities. For students, this means that learning to read is possible, but it often requires much more effort and a different kind of instruction. When a child struggles to decode words, their reading becomes slow and labored. This lack of fluency can directly impact their ability to understand what they’re reading, as all their mental energy is spent just trying to figure out the words on the page. This is why an approach grounded in The Science of Reading is so critical for their success.
Common Signs of Dyslexia
The signs of dyslexia can appear at different ages, but they often revolve around language. It’s important to remember that many children may show one or two of these signs occasionally, but a consistent pattern is worth paying attention to.
Some common signs include:
- In Preschool: Difficulty with rhyming words, learning the alphabet, or recognizing the letters in their own name.
- In Elementary School: Trouble connecting letters to the sounds they make, sounding out new words, and spelling words phonetically. They may also confuse letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’ or misread small, common words.
Recognizing these difficulties is the first step. The next is finding a program that uses a systematic and multisensory approach, like the Orton-Gillingham method, to directly teach these foundational skills.
What Makes a Reading Program Work?
When you’re trying to find the right support for a struggling reader, it can feel like every program promises the world. But what actually makes a difference? The truth is, effective reading programs, especially for students with dyslexia, aren’t built on fads or flashy gimmicks. They’re built on a solid foundation of research and a deep understanding of how the brain learns to read. The most successful approaches share a few key ingredients: they are evidence-based, highly structured, and engaging for multiple senses. They also include a clear way to measure progress, so you know exactly what’s working and where your child might need a little extra help. Let’s look at what each of these components means for your child’s reading journey.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Methods
The most effective reading programs for dyslexia are based on strong research. They aren’t just a collection of activities that seem like a good idea; they are rooted in what’s known as the Science of Reading. This body of research explains exactly how our brains learn to process written language. For a child with dyslexia, whose brain is wired a bit differently for reading, using a program grounded in this science is essential. It ensures that the instruction directly addresses the core challenges of dyslexia, rather than just skimming the surface. An evidence-based program provides a reliable, proven path forward, giving you confidence that the time and effort you’re investing will lead to real, lasting skills.
Why a Structured Approach is Key
Imagine trying to build a house without a blueprint. That’s what learning to read can feel like for a dyslexic student without a structured approach. Structured Literacy provides that essential blueprint. It’s an evidence-based teaching method that organizes instruction in a way that is explicit, systematic, and cumulative. Lessons are taught in a logical order, starting with the simplest concepts and building from there. This approach breaks down the complexities of language into manageable pieces, covering everything from individual sounds (phonology) and their corresponding letters to word parts (morphology) and sentence structure (syntax). This clear, step-by-step process helps students make connections and build a solid foundation for confident reading.
Engaging the Senses with Multisensory Learning
Children with dyslexia often learn best when they can engage more than just their eyes and ears. This is where multisensory learning comes in. The Orton-Gillingham approach, a cornerstone of effective dyslexia instruction, uses techniques that simultaneously involve visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile (touch and motion) pathways. A student might see the letter ‘b’, say its sound /b/, and trace its shape in the air or with their finger in sand. By involving multiple senses, we create stronger neural pathways in the brain, which helps anchor information and make it easier to retrieve later. This hands-on method makes abstract concepts like letter sounds feel more concrete and memorable.
How to Track Progress Effectively
How do you know if a reading program is truly working? Consistent and meaningful progress tracking is the answer. An effective program doesn’t just deliver lessons; it includes built-in assessments to monitor a student’s progress every step of the way. This isn’t about high-stakes testing. Instead, it’s about regularly checking for understanding to see which skills have been mastered and which ones need more practice. This ongoing feedback allows for truly individualized instruction, ensuring that teaching is always targeted to the student’s specific needs. It helps you and the instructor pinpoint exact areas of difficulty and adjust the plan accordingly, making sure no gaps are left behind and celebrating every bit of progress.
What to Look For in a Dyslexia Reading Program
When you’re searching for a reading program to support a child with dyslexia, the options can feel overwhelming. How do you know what actually works? The key is to look for programs built on proven, research-backed principles. An effective program isn’t about flashy games or quick fixes; it’s about a systematic, structured approach that builds a solid foundation for literacy, one skill at a time.
A truly effective dyslexia reading program will be explicit, sequential, and cumulative, meaning it teaches concepts directly, in a logical order, and builds upon previously learned skills. It should also be multisensory, engaging sight, sound, and touch to create strong neural pathways for learning. Let’s walk through the essential components you should look for.
Building Phonological Awareness
Before children can read words, they need to be able to hear the sounds within them. This is called phonological awareness, and it’s a foundational skill for all readers, especially those with dyslexia. A strong program will dedicate significant time to helping students identify and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. This includes activities like rhyming, clapping out syllables, and isolating the first, middle, and last sounds in a word. According to Dyslexia Help at the University of Michigan, effective programs explicitly teach these skills. This isn’t something most children just pick up; it requires direct instruction, which is a core component of the Science of Reading.
Connecting Sounds to Letters
Once a child can hear the individual sounds in words, the next step is connecting those sounds to the letters that represent them. This is the heart of phonics. A quality dyslexia program will teach these sound-symbol relationships in a systematic and explicit way. It won’t ask students to guess or memorize whole words. Instead, it provides direct instruction on letter sounds and the rules that govern them. This approach, a key element of Structured Literacy, empowers students by giving them a reliable code to unlock words. They learn that reading isn’t a mystery but a system they can master. The program should introduce letters and sounds in a logical sequence, ensuring the child feels successful at every step.
Breaking Down Words: Syllables and Morphology
As students begin reading longer words, they need strategies to break them into manageable chunks. An effective program teaches students to identify the six basic syllable types in English. This skill helps them decode multisyllabic words with confidence. Beyond syllables, the program should also introduce morphology—the study of word parts. By learning the meanings of common prefixes, suffixes, and root words, students can figure out the meaning of new vocabulary. For example, understanding that “re-” means “again” and “view” means “to see” helps them understand the word “review.” This approach not only improves decoding but also builds a strong foundation for reading comprehension.
The Need for Individualized Instruction
Dyslexia affects every child differently, so a one-size-fits-all curriculum simply won’t work. The best reading programs are designed to be diagnostic and prescriptive, allowing the instructor to tailor lessons to the student’s specific needs. The Orton-Gillingham approach, for example, is well-known for its individualized instruction. A program should allow students to move at their own pace, spending as much time as needed to master a concept before moving on. This ensures that gaps in learning are addressed immediately and that the child builds a solid, unshakable foundation. Look for a curriculum that provides flexibility for educators and parents to adapt the instruction to the learner in front of them.
Measuring Success with Assessments
How do you know if the instruction is working? A quality reading program must include regular assessments to track progress. These aren’t high-stakes tests but rather quick, frequent check-ins to see which skills the student has mastered and which require more practice. This data-driven approach allows the teacher or parent to adjust instruction in real-time, ensuring the student is always working on skills that are challenging but achievable. Consistent monitoring helps you celebrate every bit of progress and provides clear evidence that the program is effective. It also ensures that instruction remains targeted and efficient, making the most of every learning session with your PRIDE Reading Specialist or at home.
What is the Orton-Gillingham Method?
If you’ve been researching reading support for a child with dyslexia, you’ve likely come across the term “Orton-Gillingham.” It’s not a specific brand or curriculum, but rather a powerful, evidence-based approach to teaching literacy. Think of it as a philosophy and a set of tools that have been helping struggling readers for decades. The Orton-Gillingham approach is highly structured and designed to be flexible, allowing educators and parents to tailor instruction to a child’s specific needs. It moves away from the one-size-fits-all model and instead focuses on a diagnostic and prescriptive plan for each learner. This method is especially effective because it directly addresses the way a dyslexic brain processes language, building a solid foundation for reading one step at a time.
Its Core Principles
At its heart, the Orton-Gillingham method is about making language logical and understandable. It breaks reading and spelling down into their smallest components—the individual sounds and the letters that represent them. From there, it builds on these skills systematically over time. The instruction is always direct, explicit, and cumulative, meaning each new lesson builds on the one before it. This creates a clear path for learning without gaps. The approach empowers educators to develop an individualized, structured plan to teach reading and vocabulary skills, ensuring that the pace and content are just right for the student. It’s a personalized journey, not a race.
A Focus on Systematic Phonics
A key reason Orton-Gillingham is so effective is its emphasis on systematic phonics. This is a core component of Structured Literacy, an evidence-based teaching approach highly recommended for students with dyslexia. Instead of asking children to memorize whole words, systematic phonics teaches the relationships between letters and sounds in a logical, sequential order. Students learn reliable patterns and rules of the English language, which helps them decode (read) and encode (spell) words accurately. This method removes the guesswork from reading, giving students the tools they need to confidently tackle new words. It’s a foundational skill that supports a lifetime of reading.
How It Integrates Multisensory Learning
Orton-Gillingham instruction engages students by using multiple senses at once. This multisensory approach helps forge stronger connections in the brain, making learning more memorable and effective. A lesson might involve seeing a letter (visual), saying its sound out loud (auditory), and tracing the letter’s shape in sand or with a finger (kinesthetic-tactile). By incorporating sight, sound, and touch, the method caters to different learning styles and helps solidify concepts that might otherwise be abstract. This active, hands-on engagement makes the learning process more dynamic and helps students internalize the connections between letters and sounds more deeply.
The Research Behind Its Success
The Orton-Gillingham method isn’t just a good idea; it’s a scientifically proven approach that is grounded in the Science of Reading. Decades of research have shown its effectiveness in improving reading skills, particularly for learners with dyslexia and other language-based learning difficulties. Because the approach is diagnostic and prescriptive, it allows instructors to pinpoint exactly where a student is struggling and provide targeted support. This research-based foundation is why so many successful reading programs, including the PRIDE Reading Program, use Orton-Gillingham as the basis for their curriculum. It provides a reliable framework for helping all children become confident, capable readers.
How to Choose the Right Reading Program
With so many options available, picking the right reading program can feel like a huge task. But it doesn’t have to be. When you know what to look for, you can confidently choose a program that will give your child the tools they need to succeed. The goal is to find a curriculum that is not just effective but is also a good fit for your child’s specific learning style and your teaching environment, whether that’s in a classroom or at your kitchen table.
Think of this as a checklist. As you explore different programs, you can see how they measure up against these key criteria. This process is about finding the right match to help your reader build skills and confidence, one step at a time. Let’s walk through the most important factors to consider.
Non-Negotiable Program Components
First, let’s talk about the absolute must-haves. The most effective reading programs for students with dyslexia are built on a solid foundation of research. You’ll often hear this referred to as the Science of Reading, which is simply our understanding of how the brain actually learns to read. A program rooted in this research will use a Structured Literacy approach.
This means the instruction is explicit, systematic, and cumulative—each lesson builds directly on the one before it. It should also be multisensory, engaging sight, sound, and touch to create strong connections in the brain. An Orton-Gillingham based curriculum is the gold standard here, as it was specifically designed with these principles in mind for dyslexic learners.
Evaluating Teacher Training and Support
A great curriculum is only as effective as the person teaching it. That’s why it’s so important to look at the training and support that come with a program. Some programs require extensive, costly certifications, while others are designed to be open-and-go with clear, scripted lessons that anyone can follow. Consider what works best for your situation.
If you’re a parent, you’ll want a program with easy-to-implement lesson plans that don’t require a degree in education to understand. For educators, look for programs that offer professional development and ongoing support. Having access to experts, like PRIDE Reading Specialists, can make a world of difference when you have questions or need guidance on tailoring a lesson to a specific student’s needs.
Finding the Best Support Resources
Beyond the core lessons, what other materials does the program provide? A strong reading program should come with a full suite of resources designed to reinforce learning. This includes things like practice workbooks, flashcards, and, most importantly, decodable books.
Decodable books are essential because they contain only the phonetic patterns a child has already learned. This allows them to practice their new skills and experience reading success, which is a huge confidence builder. Having these materials readily available saves you time and ensures your child gets the consistent, targeted practice they need to master each concept before moving on to the next one.
Does the Program Fit Your Needs?
Ultimately, the best program is the one that works for your child. Every learner is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. Look for a program that offers a placement assessment to ensure your child starts at the right level. The instruction should be individualized and flexible enough to move at your child’s pace—spending more time on concepts they struggle with and moving more quickly through those they grasp easily.
Whether you’re looking for a homeschool curriculum or a solution for an entire school district, the core components remain the same: it must be structured, systematic, and multisensory. By keeping your child’s unique needs at the center of your decision, you can choose a program that will truly help them thrive.
The PRIDE Reading Program: How We Help
Finding the right program can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At PRIDE, we’ve designed our curriculum to be comprehensive, easy to follow, and, most importantly, effective for learners with dyslexia. Our approach is built on the proven principles of the Orton-Gillingham method, ensuring every lesson is structured, multisensory, and targeted. We provide all the tools and support you need to guide your student toward reading success, whether you’re teaching in a classroom or at your kitchen table. Let’s look at exactly how our program works.
Our Step-by-Step, Structured Curriculum
We believe that teaching a child to read shouldn’t require you to be a reading specialist. Our program is designed to be open-and-go, with a clear, step-by-step structure that guides you through every lesson. Each kit, whether for homeschool or a school district, includes an Online Teaching Guide, a student workbook, and other materials that work together seamlessly. This scripted, explicit approach removes the guesswork and ensures you’re teaching concepts in the proper sequence. You can feel confident knowing you are delivering a consistent and effective lesson every single time, building a strong foundation for your reader one skill at a time.
How We Assess and Track Progress
How do you know if a program is actually working? Consistent progress monitoring is a core component of any effective structured literacy approach. It’s not about high-stakes testing; it’s about understanding exactly where a student is and what they need next. Our program has ongoing assessment built right in, allowing you to track your student’s progress and adapt instruction as needed. This data-driven method ensures that you can identify and address any areas of difficulty before they become major roadblocks. It helps you celebrate every bit of progress and make informed decisions to keep your learner moving forward on their reading journey.
Our Multisensory Teaching in Action
Children with dyslexia learn best when they can engage with material using more than just their eyes and ears. That’s why our program is deeply rooted in multisensory teaching. Each lesson incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile activities to help concepts stick. Your student won’t just see the letter ‘b’; they will say its sound aloud, trace its shape with their finger, and write it down. This hands-on approach forges stronger neural pathways in the brain, making it easier for students to retain information and connect sounds to symbols. It makes learning more engaging and effective for students who struggle with traditional methods.
Support for Parents and Educators
You are not alone on this journey. We know that supporting a struggling reader requires more than just a great curriculum—it requires a strong support system. We provide comprehensive training and resources to empower both parents and educators. From our introductory course to direct access to PRIDE Reading Specialists, we are here to answer your questions and offer guidance whenever you need it. We also believe in empowering you to be a strong advocate for your child. By giving you the tools and knowledge you need, we help you ensure your student gets the right interventions and support to thrive.
Set Your Child Up for Reading Success
Choosing the right reading program is a huge step, but the support you provide at home or in the classroom is just as important. Creating a nurturing environment can make all the difference in your child’s journey. Think of these strategies as the foundation upon which a great reading program can build. By focusing on the learning space, mindset, tools, and emotional support, you can help your child feel confident and capable as they develop their skills.
Create a Positive Learning Space
A calm and consistent environment is key for effective learning, especially for a child with dyslexia. Structured literacy programs often work best in one-on-one or small group settings where distractions are minimal. Find a quiet, comfortable spot for your reading sessions and try to stick to a regular schedule. This predictability helps reduce anxiety and allows your child to focus their energy on learning. The goal is to create a safe space where your child feels supported and knows it’s okay to make mistakes. This is especially true when using a dedicated homeschool curriculum designed for this kind of focused, patient instruction.
Foster a Growth Mindset
It’s important for children with dyslexia to understand that while reading may require more effort, it is a skill they can master. This is the core of a growth mindset. Instead of praising a child for being “smart,” praise their effort, persistence, and the strategies they use to sound out a tough word. Remind them that their brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice. When a child understands that challenges are opportunities to grow, they are more likely to stay motivated. Framing their learning journey this way helps them build resilience and see themselves as capable learners, which is essential for overcoming the hurdles dyslexia can present.
Incorporate Helpful Technology
While direct, explicit instruction is irreplaceable, technology can be a fantastic ally. Assistive technology can help reduce frustration and make reading more accessible. Tools like text-to-speech software can read digital text aloud, allowing a child to access grade-level content while their decoding skills catch up. Audiobooks are another great way to build vocabulary and foster a love of stories without the pressure of decoding. These tools don’t replace reading instruction; they supplement it. They act as a bridge, ensuring your child doesn’t fall behind in other subjects while they work on their reading with a structured literacy program.
Celebrate Small Wins to Build Confidence
Learning to read is a marathon, not a sprint. For a child who struggles, it’s crucial to acknowledge and celebrate every small step forward. Did they correctly identify all the letter sounds in a lesson? Did they read a sentence more smoothly than last week? Celebrate it! These small victories build momentum and reinforce a sense of accomplishment, which is a powerful motivator. Confidence is a huge part of reading success. When children feel successful, they are more willing to take on the next challenge. Working with trained PRIDE Reading Specialists can also be a great way to ensure your child experiences consistent, confidence-building success.
Your Toolkit for Reading Success
A strong, evidence-based reading program is the foundation of your child’s literacy journey, but having a few extra tools can make all the difference. Think of these resources as the supporting cast to your main curriculum—they provide extra practice, build confidence, and offer specialized help when you need it. From books designed for new readers to one-on-one professional support, building a well-rounded toolkit ensures your child has everything they need to become a confident, successful reader.
The Power of Decodable Books
If you’ve ever watched a child struggle through a book full of words they haven’t learned yet, you understand the need for decodable books. These aren’t your average storybooks. Instead, they are carefully crafted to include only the phonetic patterns and sight words your child has already been taught. This intentional design allows them to practice their new skills in a real reading context, which is a huge confidence builder. By reading stories they can actually decode, children experience success, build fluency, and reinforce the explicit phonics instruction they’re receiving. Using decodable books turns reading practice from a frustrating task into a rewarding one.
Effective Digital Learning Tools
Technology can be a fantastic partner in teaching a child with dyslexia to read. The best digital tools offer interactive and engaging ways for students to get the extra practice they need. Look for programs that follow a Structured Literacy approach, covering everything from phonological awareness to comprehension. Many of these digital platforms provide immediate feedback and can adapt to your child’s specific needs, making learning feel more like a game. While they shouldn’t replace direct, multisensory instruction, these tools are an excellent way to supplement learning and keep your child motivated to practice their skills independently.
Where to Find Practice Materials
Consistent practice is essential for cementing new reading skills, and having the right materials on hand makes it much easier. A comprehensive curriculum should come with its own integrated materials, like workbooks and activities, to ensure the practice aligns perfectly with the lessons. PRIDE Reading Program, for example, offers Practice Books designed to reinforce each new concept. You can also find great resources from organizations dedicated to literacy and dyslexia. The key is to find materials that are systematic and cumulative, building on skills in a logical order rather than presenting concepts randomly. This consistency helps your child master one skill before moving on to the next.
When to Call in a Professional
As a parent or educator, you are your child’s best advocate, but you don’t have to do it all alone. If your child continues to struggle significantly despite consistent instruction with a high-quality program, it might be time to bring in a specialist. A reading tutor or educational therapist with experience in dyslexia can provide intensive, one-on-one support tailored to your child’s unique challenges. These professionals can identify specific areas of difficulty and implement targeted strategies to address them. Think of them as a valuable member of your child’s support team. Our PRIDE Reading Specialists are trained in the Orton-Gillingham method and are ready to provide that extra layer of expert help.
Related Articles
- Reading Programs for Dyslexia: What You Need to Know – Structured Literacy
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- How to Get Your Dyslexic Child to Read Challenging Books
Frequently Asked Questions
My child often reverses letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’. Does this mean they have dyslexia? While letter reversals are a common sign associated with dyslexia, they aren’t an automatic diagnosis. Many young children reverse letters as they learn to read and write. The key difference is that for a child with dyslexia, these reversals are part of a larger pattern of difficulty with language processing. The issue isn’t just visual; it stems from trouble connecting the correct sound to the letter’s shape. It’s more important to look for a consistent pattern of challenges, such as difficulty rhyming, sounding out words, or spelling, rather than focusing on one single sign.
Is Orton-Gillingham a specific curriculum I can buy? That’s a great question, and it’s a common point of confusion. Orton-Gillingham is not a single, branded curriculum you can purchase off a shelf. Instead, it’s a highly effective teaching approach or methodology. Think of it as a blueprint for instruction that is structured, sequential, and multisensory. Many successful reading programs, including the PRIDE Reading Program, are built upon the principles of the Orton-Gillingham approach, adapting its proven methods into a complete, easy-to-use curriculum.
How long will it take for my child to catch up using a structured literacy program? Every child’s learning journey is unique, so there isn’t a set timeline for “catching up.” Progress depends on several factors, including the individual child’s needs and the consistency of the instruction. The goal of a program like this is to build a solid foundation, which means moving at the child’s pace to ensure they truly master each skill before moving on. The focus should be on steady, consistent progress and celebrating the small victories along the way, rather than rushing toward a finish line.
I’m a parent, not a reading specialist. Can I really teach this kind of program effectively at home? Absolutely. Many modern, Orton-Gillingham-based programs are designed specifically for parents and educators who may not have a background in literacy instruction. The best programs are “open-and-go,” with scripted, step-by-step lesson plans that guide you through exactly what to say and do. This removes the guesswork and ensures you are providing high-quality, effective instruction without needing years of specialized training.
Why is a structured, multisensory program so important if my child’s school uses a different reading method? Many general reading methods work well for children who learn to read intuitively, but students with dyslexia need something more direct. Their brains are wired differently for processing language, so they don’t absorb reading skills implicitly. A structured, multisensory program is essential because it explicitly teaches the rules and patterns of language in a logical order. By engaging sight, sound, and touch, it helps build and strengthen the neural pathways necessary for reading, providing a direct route to literacy that other methods may not offer.