Your child is bright, creative, and intelligent, but their struggles with reading might be hiding that from the world—and even from themselves. The frustration of not being able to make sense of the words on a page can take a toll on their confidence. But a learning difference like dyslexia doesn’t define their potential. The right support can change everything. It provides them with the tools to decode language, turning confusion into clarity and frustration into pride. Your search for the best reading program for dyslexia is about finding the key that helps them succeed. This guide will help you find that key.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on research-backed methods: The most successful reading programs for dyslexia are grounded in the Science of Reading. Look for a curriculum that uses an explicit, systematic, and cumulative approach, like Orton-Gillingham, to build a solid foundation.
- Prioritize multisensory learning: Children with dyslexia learn best when they engage multiple senses. An effective program must include hands-on activities that use sight, sound, and touch to make abstract concepts like letter-sound connections concrete and memorable.
- Ensure the program is adaptable and supportive: Every child is different, so the right program must be diagnostic to meet their unique needs. It should also be practical for your environment and provide clear, easy-to-follow lessons for the person teaching, whether that’s a parent or a classroom teacher.
What is Dyslexia and How Does It Affect Reading?
Let’s start with a clear definition. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, write, and spell. It’s not a reflection of intelligence; instead, it’s rooted in how the brain processes written and spoken language. People with dyslexia often have a tough time with accurate and fluent word recognition, which can make reading feel like a constant struggle.
These challenges come from neurological differences in the brain. Think of it this way: for a person with dyslexia, the part of the brain that connects letters to their corresponding sounds doesn’t work as automatically as it does for others. This can make decoding words a slow and frustrating process. Understanding this is the first step toward finding the right support and interventions that teach reading in a way that makes sense for their unique brain wiring. It’s about providing the right tools to build a bridge between letters on a page and the meaning they represent.
Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia
Spotting the signs of dyslexia early can make a world of difference. A child with dyslexia might struggle to recognize words accurately, even ones they’ve seen many times. You may also notice significant challenges with spelling and decoding (sounding out) new words. One of the core difficulties is often with phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and work with the individual sounds in words. For example, they might find it hard to identify the first sound in the word “cat” or blend the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/ together. These hurdles can understandably lead to frustration and a dip in confidence when it comes to reading.
How Dyslexia Affects the Brain
The challenges of dyslexia aren’t about a lack of effort; they’re about brain function. Research shows that individuals with dyslexia have differences in the structure and activity of brain areas responsible for language processing. Specifically, these differences can make it difficult to connect letters to sounds, a foundational skill for reading. This neurological basis is why simply trying harder or practicing more of the same isn’t always effective. Instead, effective reading interventions work by explicitly teaching these connections in a structured, multisensory way that helps build new neural pathways for reading.
Common Dyslexia Myths, Busted
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about dyslexia. Let’s clear up a few common myths:
- Myth: Reversing letters and words is the main sign of dyslexia. Fact: While some children with dyslexia do reverse letters, many young children do this as they learn to read and write. It’s not a definitive sign on its own.
- Myth: Every child who struggles with reading has dyslexia. Fact: Dyslexia is a very common reason for reading difficulties, but other issues can also cause a child to struggle. A proper evaluation is key to understanding the root cause.
- Myth: If a child with dyslexia doesn’t learn to read by age 9, it’s too late. Fact: It is absolutely never too late to help someone with dyslexia become a confident reader. With the right instruction, individuals of any age can make significant progress.
What Makes a Reading Program Truly Effective for Dyslexia?
When you’re searching for a reading program to support 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 successful programs aren’t built on guesswork; they share a specific set of core components designed to help the dyslexic brain build new pathways for reading. Let’s walk through the essential features you should look for.
The Power of Structured Literacy
At the heart of any effective dyslexia program is an approach called Structured Literacy. This isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a research-backed framework that explicitly and systematically teaches all the essential components of language, including phonology, sound-symbol association, and syntax. Because dyslexia often involves challenges with how the brain processes language, Structured Literacy provides a clear, logical roadmap for students. It leaves nothing to chance, ensuring learners build a solid foundation of language skills one step at a time. This method is widely recognized as the most effective way to teach students with reading difficulties how to read successfully.
Why Multisensory Teaching is Key
Children with dyslexia learn best when they can engage multiple senses at once. This is where multisensory teaching comes in. Instead of just seeing and hearing, students also touch and move, which helps cement learning in the brain. An effective program will incorporate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile activities to reinforce concepts. For example, a student might see the letter ‘b’, say its sound, and trace its shape in the sand all at the same time. This is a core principle of the Orton-Gillingham approach, which uses these multisensory techniques to build and strengthen neural pathways for reading.
The Importance of Explicit Phonics
For a dyslexic learner, being told to “sound it out” without the right tools is frustrating and ineffective. That’s why explicit phonics instruction is non-negotiable. This means the program directly teaches the relationships between letters and sounds in a clear, unambiguous way. Students learn how to decode words systematically rather than relying on memorization or guessing from context. Research-backed methods like Orton-Gillingham place a strong emphasis on phonics to make the rules of the English language accessible. This direct instruction empowers students with the skills they need to approach new words with confidence and accuracy, which is fundamental to the Science of Reading.
A Step-by-Step, Systematic Approach
Learning to read is a cumulative process, and for students with dyslexia, the order of instruction matters immensely. The best programs deliver lessons sequentially, starting with the simplest concepts and gradually building toward more complex ones. For instance, a student will master single letters and their sounds before moving on to blending those sounds into one-syllable words, and only later advancing to longer, multisyllabic words. This systematic and cumulative design ensures there are no gaps in a child’s learning. Each new skill builds directly on the one before it, creating a logical and manageable path to literacy that prevents students from feeling overwhelmed.
Tracking Progress with Ongoing Assessment
A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work for dyslexia. An effective reading program must include continuous assessment to monitor a student’s progress and adapt to their specific needs. This doesn’t mean constant high-stakes testing. Instead, it involves regular, informal checks for understanding that are built right into the lessons. These assessments allow the teacher or parent to see exactly which concepts the student has mastered and which ones need more review. This data-driven approach ensures that instruction is always targeted to the individual learner’s needs, making the entire process more efficient and effective.
Why is the Orton-Gillingham Approach So Effective for Dyslexic Learners?
If you’ve spent any time researching reading support for dyslexia, you’ve likely come across the term “Orton-Gillingham.” It’s often called the gold standard, and for good reason. This approach isn’t just another reading program; it’s a powerful teaching philosophy designed to work with the way a dyslexic brain processes language, rather than against it. Its effectiveness lies in its structure, its multisensory methods, and its ability to be tailored to each individual learner.
The Orton-Gillingham approach breaks reading and spelling down into their smallest components and teaches them in a logical, step-by-step way. It leaves no room for guessing, which is exactly what students with dyslexia need to build a solid foundation for literacy. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, learners can build confidence as they master one skill before moving on to the next. This methodical process helps create new neural pathways, making the connection between letters and sounds stick.
The Core Principles of Orton-Gillingham
At its heart, the Orton-Gillingham approach is methodical and multisensory. It uses a combination of learning pathways—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile (touch and motion)—to help students forge strong connections in their brains between letters and sounds. A student might see the letter ‘b’, say its sound, and trace its shape in the air all at once. This layering of senses helps solidify learning in a way that simply looking at a letter on a page cannot.
Instruction is also systematic and cumulative, meaning it follows a specific, logical sequence. Students start with the most basic concepts and gradually build upon them. Each lesson reinforces previous learning while introducing a new skill, ensuring a deep and lasting understanding of the language structure.
How Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy Work Together
It’s helpful to think of Orton-Gillingham as the framework and structured literacy as the house built upon it. Orton-Gillingham provides the core principles of instruction—how to teach—while a structured literacy curriculum provides the content—what to teach. A quality reading program grounds its lessons in the Orton-Gillingham method to deliver a scientifically proven curriculum that meets students exactly where they are.
This powerful combination ensures that every component of language, from phonology (sounds) to syntax (sentence structure), is taught explicitly and systematically. For a struggling reader, this clarity is everything. It creates a predictable and reliable path to follow, removing the confusion that often comes with less structured reading instruction and empowering students to become confident, capable readers.
The Research Behind the Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach isn’t just a good idea; it’s backed by decades of research. Its methodology aligns perfectly with the large body of evidence known as the Science of Reading, which explains how our brains learn to read. An effective reading program for dyslexia uses these specific, research-backed methods to make language clear and accessible for every learner.
While this approach is essential for students with dyslexia, its principles benefit all children. The explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction is a fantastic way for any child to learn to read. For students with dyslexia who may struggle with other reading programs, however, this approach is often the key that finally makes reading click. It provides the direct, structured support they need to succeed.
What Role Does the Science of Reading Play in Dyslexia Programs?
When you’re looking for a dyslexia program, you’ll hear the term “Science of Reading” a lot. It’s not a curriculum or a specific teaching style, but rather a vast body of research from cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, and educational psychologists. This research explains how our brains learn to read and identifies the most effective methods for teaching reading. For students with dyslexia, this isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
The most effective reading programs are built on this solid foundation of evidence. They don’t rely on guesswork or outdated methods. Instead, they use proven, research-backed strategies that align with how the brain actually processes written language. Think of it as the blueprint for literacy instruction. Programs that follow the science of reading give students with dyslexia the explicit, systematic instruction they need to build neural pathways for reading, turning a challenging process into an achievable skill. It’s about working with the brain’s learning process, not against it.
Following the Evidence
Choosing a program based on strong research means you’re giving your child or student the best possible chance at success. These programs aren’t just following trends; they’re following decades of evidence about what truly works. When a program is grounded in the science of reading, it means every lesson, activity, and strategy has a purpose backed by data. This evidence-based approach is critical for learners with dyslexia because it moves away from whole-language or balanced literacy methods that often leave them behind. Instead, it focuses on the specific, foundational skills they need to decode words and comprehend text, ensuring that instruction is both efficient and effective.
Building Phonological Awareness
One of the most critical findings from the science of reading is the importance of phonological awareness—the ability to recognize and work with the sounds in spoken language. For many children with dyslexia, this is a major hurdle. A strong program will explicitly teach students to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds, or phonemes. This skill is the bedrock of learning to read. Before a child can connect a letter to a sound, they first need to be able to hear that sound in a word. This focus on phonemic awareness is a non-negotiable component of any effective dyslexia intervention.
Connecting the Dots to Structured Literacy
So, how does all this research translate into a classroom or homeschool lesson? The answer is Structured Literacy. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) confirms that a Structured Literacy approach is the most effective way to teach students with reading difficulties because it is the application of the science of reading. This approach is systematic, cumulative, and explicit, leaving no room for confusion. It directly teaches concepts like sound-symbol association, syllable types, and morphology. The Orton-Gillingham Method is a perfect example of Structured Literacy in action, providing the multisensory, step-by-step instruction that helps dyslexic learners finally connect the dots and become confident, capable readers.
Comparing the Top Reading Programs for Dyslexia
Choosing a reading program for a child with dyslexia can feel overwhelming, but the good news is there are several excellent, research-backed options available. You don’t have to sort through this alone. All the programs on this list are grounded in the principles of Structured Literacy and use a multisensory, systematic approach to teaching reading—the gold standard for helping dyslexic learners succeed. The best fit for your child or student often comes down to the learning environment, your teaching style, and your learner’s specific needs. Some programs require extensive teacher training and are typically used in schools as a Tier 3 intervention for students who need intensive support. Others are designed to be picked up and taught by a dedicated parent at the kitchen table, with clear instructions that guide you every step of the way. To help you find the right path, we’ll compare five of the top-rated programs: PRIDE Reading Program, Wilson Reading System, Barton Reading & Spelling System, All About Reading, and Take Flight. We’ll look at what makes each one unique so you can make an informed choice for your learner.
PRIDE Reading Program
The PRIDE Reading Program is an Orton-Gillingham-based curriculum that stands out for its incredible ease of use. It provides parents and teachers with scripted, step-by-step lessons that are simple to follow, which means you don’t need a background in education to teach it effectively. The program is broken down into short, engaging, multisensory activities that help maintain a child’s focus and make learning feel more like play. Because it’s designed to be taught one-on-one, you can move at your child’s pace, ensuring they master each concept before moving on. This makes the PRIDE homeschool curriculum a fantastic choice for families who need a comprehensive, open-and-go solution that truly works.
Wilson Reading System
The Wilson Reading System is a highly respected and intensive program often used in schools for students in grades 2-12 and adults with significant word-level deficits. As a Tier 3 intervention, it’s designed for students who need more focused support than they might get in the regular classroom. Wilson provides a structured, sequential curriculum that covers everything from phonemic awareness to fluency and comprehension. It’s a very thorough program, but it requires extensive training and certification for instructors. This makes it a powerful tool in the hands of a certified teacher but less accessible for parents looking for a program to implement at home on their own.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is another Orton-Gillingham-influenced program designed for one-on-one tutoring, and it’s popular with parents, tutors, and schools alike. The system is known for its explicit instruction and multisensory techniques that help students build strong connections between sounds and letters. Before teaching, the instructor needs to watch training videos to understand the methodology. Barton is very structured and moves sequentially through different levels, making sure there are no gaps in a student’s learning. It’s a great option for learners who benefit from a very systematic approach and can work consistently with a dedicated tutor or parent.
All About Reading
All About Reading is a favorite in the homeschool community for its gentle, multisensory approach. While influenced by the Orton-Gillingham method, it’s designed to be fun and engaging, with colorful materials and hands-on activities. The lessons are scripted and easy to teach, removing the guesswork for parents. The program includes fluency practice with phonics-based readers and uses letter tiles to help children see how sounds combine to form words. It’s a solid choice for younger learners or those who may be intimidated by more intensive programs, as it builds confidence through lighthearted, mastery-based lessons.
Take Flight
Developed at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Take Flight is a comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia. It is a two-year curriculum designed for children ages seven and older. This program is intended for use by highly trained academic language therapists and is typically offered in a clinical or specialized school setting. Take Flight provides intensive, systematic instruction in the five key components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Because it requires a certified instructor, it’s not a program parents can purchase and implement themselves, but it is a highly effective intervention for students with significant reading challenges.
Your Checklist: Must-Have Features in a Dyslexia Program
When you’re searching for a reading program, the options can feel overwhelming. How do you know which one will truly make a difference for your child? An effective program for dyslexia isn’t just about reading practice; it’s about a specific, research-backed structure designed to build the brain’s reading pathways from the ground up. To help you find the right fit, here is a checklist of the non-negotiable features every high-quality dyslexia program should have.
Strong Phonological Awareness Training
This is the foundation of reading. Before a child can connect letters to sounds, they need to be able to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken words. A strong program will explicitly teach skills like rhyming, segmenting words into syllables, and identifying individual sounds (phonemes). Because dyslexia is a language-based learning difference, building this phonological awareness is the critical first step. This training helps rewire the brain for reading success, making it an essential component of any curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading. Look for programs that dedicate significant, direct instruction time to these auditory skills before and during phonics instruction.
Hands-On, Multisensory Methods
Children with dyslexia learn best when they can engage more than just their eyes and ears. Multisensory instruction uses sight, sound, touch, and even movement to create stronger, more lasting connections in the brain. This is a core principle of the highly effective Orton-Gillingham approach. Instead of just looking at the letter ‘b’, a student might trace it in sand, say its sound out loud, and sky-write it with their arm. By involving multiple senses, the learning becomes more concrete and memorable. This hands-on approach helps solidify concepts that can otherwise feel abstract, building a solid foundation for reading and spelling that sticks.
A Path for Every Learner
Dyslexia affects every child differently, so a one-size-fits-all curriculum simply won’t work. The best programs are diagnostic and prescriptive, meaning they meet students exactly where they are and guide them forward at their own pace. Look for a program with a clear placement assessment to ensure your child starts at the right level. The curriculum should be systematic and cumulative, but flexible enough to allow for mastery of one skill before moving to the next. Whether you’re using a homeschool curriculum or implementing a program across a school, this individualized path ensures that no student is left behind or pushed ahead before they are ready, building confidence along with skills.
Decodable Books and Practice
What good is learning phonics if you can’t apply it to actual reading? That’s where decodable books come in. These are specially designed stories that only use the letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught. This controlled text allows students to practice their new skills and experience success, which is a huge motivator. Instead of guessing or relying on pictures, they learn to sound out words confidently. An effective program will include a library of engaging decodable books that directly align with the lessons, turning practice into a rewarding experience and building a bridge to fluent reading.
Support for Teachers and Parents
You don’t have to be a reading specialist to teach a child with dyslexia, but you do need the right tools and support. A great program is designed to be open-and-go, with scripted lessons, clear instructions, and all the materials you need right at your fingertips. This empowers parents and teachers to deliver high-quality, effective instruction without extensive training. Look for programs that offer guidance, training videos, and access to experts if you get stuck. Having a support system, like the one provided by PRIDE Reading Specialists, can make all the difference, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to help your student succeed on their reading journey.
Common Challenges When Choosing a Reading Program
Finding the right reading program can feel like a monumental task. You’re not just picking a curriculum; you’re making a critical decision that will shape a child’s relationship with reading for years to come. The path is often filled with confusing information, logistical hurdles, and the pressure to get it right. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the options and the stakes. Let’s walk through some of the most common challenges parents and educators face, so you can feel more prepared and confident in your search for the perfect fit.
Cutting Through the Noise
The internet is filled with myths and misconceptions about reading difficulties, making it tough to separate fact from fiction. For example, many people believe that reversing letters is a sure sign of dyslexia. While it can be a symptom, it’s also a very common and normal phase for young children learning to write. Believing this myth could cause you to either panic unnecessarily or, worse, delay seeking help for a child who truly needs it. The best way to cut through this noise is to ground your search in proven, research-based methodologies. Look for programs explicitly aligned with the Science of Reading, as this ensures the approach is based on what we scientifically know about how the brain learns to read.
Meeting Your Child’s Unique Needs
It’s easy to assume that every child who struggles with reading has dyslexia. While dyslexia is the most common learning disability associated with reading, it’s not the only reason a child might have a hard time. Other challenges, like auditory or visual processing disorders, can also impact a child’s ability to decode words and comprehend text. This is why a one-size-fits-all program rarely works. You need a curriculum that is diagnostic and adaptable, allowing you to meet your child exactly where they are. The right program will be structured enough to build a strong foundation but flexible enough to address the specific hurdles your learner is facing, ensuring they get the targeted support they need to succeed.
Considering Cost and Accessibility
Let’s be practical: specialized reading programs can be a significant investment. The cost of curriculum, materials, and potential tutoring can add up, and it’s a major factor for both families and school districts. Beyond the price tag, you also have to consider accessibility. Is the program designed for a classroom teacher with 25 students, or is it better suited for a one-on-one homeschool setting? Some programs are rigid, while others offer flexible solutions. For example, PRIDE offers distinct curriculum paths for both homeschoolers and school districts, ensuring the tools and lesson plans are tailored to the specific teaching environment. It’s important to find a program that fits not only your child’s learning needs but also your budget and context.
The Search for a Qualified Instructor
A great curriculum is only as effective as the person teaching it. Unfortunately, finding a well-trained instructor can be one of the biggest hurdles. Many university teacher-prep programs still don’t adequately teach the science of reading, which means many educators enter the classroom without the knowledge needed to support struggling readers effectively. An Orton-Gillingham-based program, for instance, requires an instructor who understands its principles and can implement them with fidelity. When evaluating a program, look at the training and support it provides. Does it offer clear, easy-to-follow lesson plans? Are there resources available if you get stuck? Some organizations even offer access to their own trained PRIDE Reading Specialists, which can be an invaluable resource for ensuring your child gets the expert instruction they deserve.
How to Choose the Right Reading Program for Your Child
Finding the right reading program can feel like a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to be. When you know what to look for, you can confidently select a curriculum that truly supports your child’s learning journey. The key is to move beyond marketing claims and focus on the core components that make a program effective for struggling readers. By breaking the decision down into a few manageable steps, you can find the perfect fit for your child, your family, or your classroom.
Start by Assessing Your Child’s Needs
Before you can choose the right solution, you need a clear picture of the problem. Every child’s reading journey is unique, and a one-size-fits-all program rarely works, especially for a child showing signs of a learning difference. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, it’s important to understand that they need more than just extra reading practice. They need a program specifically designed to build foundational skills in a structured way. Consider a formal evaluation to identify specific areas of weakness, whether it’s phonological awareness, decoding, or fluency. This assessment will give you a roadmap, helping you find a program that targets their exact needs from day one.
Check for Program Compatibility
Once you understand your child’s needs, look for a program built on a methodology proven to work for them. For dyslexic learners, this means finding a curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading. Don’t just take a program’s word for it—check that its approach is explicit, systematic, and cumulative. The Orton-Gillingham method is the gold standard for this, as it was designed specifically for students who struggle with reading. A compatible program will use these evidence-based principles to teach reading and spelling step-by-step, ensuring no gaps are left in your child’s understanding. This alignment is the difference between a program that works and one that just causes more frustration.
Evaluate Instructor Training
A powerful curriculum is only as effective as the person teaching it. Unfortunately, many educators never receive adequate training in evidence-based reading instruction during their college programs. When looking at schools or tutoring services, always ask about the instructor’s qualifications. Are they certified in the specific program you’re considering? Do they have experience with the Orton-Gillingham approach? If you’re a parent planning to teach at home, look for a program with scripted, easy-to-follow lessons. The best homeschool curriculum will empower you to become a confident and effective instructor, even without a teaching degree. You can also find support from certified PRIDE Reading Specialists who are trained to deliver high-quality instruction.
Know What Implementation Requires
Finally, think about the practical side of things. A program might look great on paper, but will it fit into your daily life? Consider the time commitment required for lessons each day and how much prep work is involved. An effective Orton-Gillingham program is methodical and multisensory, incorporating visual, auditory, and hands-on activities. Make sure you have the space and resources to implement these lessons effectively. Look for a program that provides all the necessary materials, like decodable books and practice workbooks, so you aren’t left scrambling for supplies. The right program should feel manageable and sustainable for both you and your child.
How to Know if a Dyslexia Program is Working
Once you’ve chosen a reading program, the next step is to pay close attention to how your child is responding. It’s not just about sticking with it; it’s about making sure it’s the right fit and that it’s truly making a difference. So, how can you tell if the program is actually working? It comes down to observing a few key indicators that show your child isn’t just going through the motions, but is genuinely building new skills and confidence.
You know your child best, and your observations are a critical part of this process. Look for shifts not only in their reading ability but also in their attitude toward learning. A truly effective program will create positive changes you can see and measure. Here are the signs to watch for.
Look for Measurable Progress
Progress in reading isn’t always about jumping up multiple grade levels overnight. Instead, look for small, consistent wins. An effective reading program for dyslexia uses specific, research-backed methods to make language accessible, and you should be able to track this progress through assessments. Is your child starting to recognize sound-symbol relationships they struggled with before? Are they decoding simple words more accurately? These are the building blocks. A good program will have built-in ways to measure these specific skills, showing you tangible proof that your child is moving forward, step by step.
Is Your Child Engaged and Motivated?
This one is huge. If reading lessons feel like a constant battle, something might be off. While learning to read can be challenging, the right program should build confidence, not frustration. When a child feels successful, their motivation naturally grows. The PRIDE Reading Program is designed to be comprehensive and easy to follow, which helps keep students engaged. Notice your child’s attitude. Are they more willing to participate in lessons? Do they seem proud of themselves when they master a new concept? A positive shift in their engagement is a clear sign that the program’s approach is clicking with them.
Focus on Mastery, Not Just Memorization
A common pitfall is when a child memorizes words for a test but can’t apply that knowledge elsewhere. True reading intervention focuses on mastery—ensuring the child deeply understands the why behind the rules of language. The Orton-Gillingham approach emphasizes mastery of skills through a structured, multisensory method. This ensures students understand concepts rather than just memorizing them. You’ll know it’s working when you see your child applying a learned phonics rule to a completely new word or correcting their own mistakes because they understand the underlying principle.
Access to Family and Educator Support
You shouldn’t have to go it alone. A high-quality dyslexia program recognizes that the person teaching the lessons—whether that’s a teacher, tutor, or parent—needs support, too. Having access to clear instructions, resources, and experts you can turn to with questions is essential for success. PRIDE Reading Program offers tailored curriculum solutions for both school districts and homeschoolers, ensuring that families and educators have the necessary support. When you feel confident and equipped to teach the material, your child will feel that, too. This partnership is a key ingredient for a program to work effectively.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My child reverses letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’. Does this automatically mean they have dyslexia? Not necessarily. It’s very common for young children to mix up letters as they learn to read and write, and it’s not a definitive sign of dyslexia on its own. Dyslexia is a much broader pattern of challenges that includes difficulty with decoding words, spelling consistently, and hearing the individual sounds in spoken words. While letter reversals can be one piece of the puzzle, you should look at the bigger picture of their reading development before jumping to conclusions.
What’s the real difference between “Orton-Gillingham” and “Structured Literacy“? That’s a great question because the terms are closely related. Think of Structured Literacy as the “what”—it’s the entire body of knowledge and content that needs to be taught, including phonics, syllable patterns, and sentence structure. The Orton-Gillingham approach is the “how”—it’s the specific, multisensory teaching method that delivers that content in a systematic, step-by-step way that is ideal for a dyslexic learner’s brain. A great program uses the Orton-Gillingham method to teach a Structured Literacy curriculum.
Do I need to be a certified teacher to use an effective reading program at home? While some intensive clinical programs require extensive training and certification, many highly effective programs are designed specifically for parents to use at home. The key is to find a curriculum with scripted, open-and-go lessons that guide you through every activity. This removes the guesswork and empowers you to provide high-quality instruction, even without a background in education. You can absolutely be your child’s best teacher with the right tools.
My child is in middle school. Is it too late to help them with their reading? It is absolutely never too late. The brain is capable of learning and building new neural pathways at any age. An older student with dyslexia can make incredible progress with the right kind of instruction. A systematic, Orton-Gillingham-based program will meet them where they are, fill in any foundational gaps they have, and build their skills logically. The journey might look different for an older learner, but becoming a confident reader is always a possible and worthwhile goal.
How is a program based on the Science of Reading different from what my child’s school might be doing? A program grounded in the Science of Reading teaches reading explicitly and systematically. It focuses on directly showing a child how to connect sounds to letters to decode words, leaving nothing to chance. Some other reading approaches may encourage students to use pictures or context to guess at words, a strategy that often fails students with dyslexia. The core difference is that a research-backed program builds skills from the ground up, ensuring a child has the tools to read any word, not just the ones they’ve memorized.