Teachers use structured approaches to build reading skills step by step. They combine explicit phonics programmes with multisensory techniques to help struggling readers gain confidence and competence.
Structured literacy forms the foundation of effective dyslexia teaching. Teachers present reading through systematic, explicit instruction in phonemes, phonics patterns, and language structure.
The Orton-Gillingham method leads the way in structured literacy. This method breaks down reading into small steps and teaches one concept at a time.
Students learn sounds, blend them into words, and then build to sentences and paragraphs.
Key components include:
Michelle Connolly, an expert in educational technology, explains that structured programmes work because they match how children with dyslexia process language.
Teachers follow a sequence: they introduce sounds, show visual representations, use kinaesthetic practice, and then apply the new skill. This step-by-step approach helps prevent gaps in learning.
Evidence-based programmes use structured literacy principles. They offer clear guides for daily lessons.
Multisensory teaching uses visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic activities together. This approach helps dyslexic learners remember information better.
Visual techniques include:
Auditory strategies involve:
Kinaesthetic activities feature:
Research shows that using multiple senses creates stronger memory connections. When students see, hear, and feel the letter ‘b’, they remember it better.
Teachers rotate between sensory approaches in lessons. Effective teaching approaches combine these techniques for best results.
Teachers provide explicit phonics instruction by teaching sound-symbol relationships directly and step by step. They demonstrate each phonics rule with clear examples and guided practice.
Begin with single sounds before moving to blends. Teach short vowels before long vowels.
Introduce consonant-vowel-consonant words before complex patterns. This order helps students build confidence.
Essential phonics sequence:
Teachers model each new pattern. They show students how to segment sounds, blend them, and read the whole word.
Practice includes reading and spelling activities. Dyslexia teaching strategies focus on repetition and extra practice.
Students with dyslexia need more practice to read automatically. Teachers use decodable texts featuring current phonics patterns.
These books let students apply new skills and build confidence through achievable reading.
Effective dyslexia programmes use structured, multisensory approaches that teach phonics step by step. These research-based curricula provide clear instruction in phonemic awareness, decoding, and spelling through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.
The Orton-Gillingham approach forms the basis of many successful dyslexia interventions. This method teaches reading with structured, sequential lessons that use multiple senses.
Michelle Connolly, an educational technology expert, explains that Orton-Gillingham programmes teach children how language works instead of asking them to memorise words.
Key Orton-Gillingham Features:
Popular programmes include All About Reading, Logic of English, and the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Each offers comprehensive Orton-Gillingham instruction with guides and lesson plans.
The Barton System gives intensive support for severe dyslexia. Logic of English combines phonics with spelling rules, while All About Reading uses colourful materials for young learners.
Blast Off to Reading uses a rocket theme to motivate struggling readers. The programme combines systematic phonics with engaging activities to help children remember letter sounds and blending patterns.
Programme Structure:
The rocket theme makes reading lessons exciting and helps children who have negative feelings about reading. Each lesson includes movement and hands-on activities for kinesthetic learners.
Teachers say the programme’s structure makes it easy to use, even without special dyslexia training. The built-in review system helps children master each skill before moving on.
Several other programmes support dyslexic learners. Reading Horizons at Home offers systematic phonics instruction with online progress tracking.
Touch-type Read & Spell combines typing with phonics, helping children develop muscle memory for spelling patterns. This method helps children who struggle with handwriting.
Additional Effective Options:
Pride Reading Program includes comprehension strategies along with phonics. Teachers can adapt lessons for different learning styles and needs.
These programmes succeed because they teach how English works, not just through exposure.
The best dyslexia resources combine expert strategies with practical tools. These resources focus on evidence-based teaching and direct support for families.
The International Dyslexia Association is a leading source for dyslexia information. You can find fact sheets on dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD that explain research in simple terms.
Their advocacy resources help you understand your child’s educational rights. The association provides reading lists for parents and teachers who want evidence-based approaches.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, says that access to reliable information helps parents create effective support strategies.
The organisation’s directory connects you with qualified practitioners. Their training programmes prepare teachers for dyslexia instruction.
“Overcoming Dyslexia” by Sally Shaywitz explains the science of dyslexia. This book offers practical techniques for reading problems at any level.
“The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan” by Ben Foss gives a blueprint for building confidence in struggling readers. The author’s own journey offers hope and practical strategies.
For teachers, “Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills” gives guidance on evidence-based approaches. It covers structured literacy methods that work in classrooms.
Essential Books for Different Audiences:
| For Parents | For Teachers | For Children |
|---|---|---|
| Parenting the Struggling Reader | Multisensory Teaching Basics | Fish in a Tree |
| A Mind at a Time | Orton-Gillingham Methods | Thank You, Mr Falker |
| Dyslexia Empowerment Plan | Reading Intervention Strategies | Here’s Hank Series |
Reading Rockets is a comprehensive website for dyslexia support. You can find classroom strategies, professional materials, and expert advice in one place.
Understood.org helps families learn about learning differences with interactive simulations. Their parent toolkit offers resources for supporting children with dyslexia at home.
The University of Michigan Dyslexia Help centre shares programme comparisons and book lists. Their research-based approach keeps you up to date.
Key Online Features:
Learning Ally provides human-narrated audiobooks for dyslexic learners. Bookshare offers e-books with accessibility features for schools and students.
Teachers create an inclusive learning environment by using targeted approaches that support every child with dyslexia. They adapt instruction to individual needs and provide appropriate accommodations during assessments.
Differentiating instruction means changing how you teach based on each student’s needs. This approach helps struggling readers access the same content as their peers through different methods.
Start by offering multiple ways to present information. Use visual aids, audio recordings, and hands-on activities for the same lesson.
A child with dyslexia might struggle with written instructions but excel when you present information through diagrams or verbal explanations.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole with 16 years of classroom experience, says, “When teaching children with dyslexia, I’ve found that providing multiple pathways to learning the same concept makes all the difference.” She adds, “It’s about finding their strengths and building from there.”
Key differentiation strategies include:
Create flexible groups that change depending on the skill you teach. Sometimes, a child with dyslexia works with advanced students on creative writing and receives extra phonics support in another group.
Adjust your pacing to allow extra processing time. Present a question, pause, and then return to the student after a moment to give them “think time.”
Assessment accommodations help struggling readers show what they know without dyslexia getting in the way. These changes make tests fairer, not easier.
Essential assessment accommodations:
| Accommodation Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Time adjustments | Extended time, frequent breaks |
| Format changes | Larger print, different paper colours |
| Response methods | Oral answers, word processors |
| Environment | Quiet room, individual testing |
Allow extra time to complete tests as a standard practice. Many children with dyslexia need 50% more time to process written information.
Offer alternative ways to respond to questions. Let students dictate answers, use speech-to-text software, or show their knowledge through presentations instead of written work.
Consider the assessment environment carefully. Some students benefit from taking tests in a quiet room with minimal distractions.
Read questions aloud when appropriate, especially for subjects where reading isn’t the main skill being assessed. This way, you test maths understanding rather than reading ability.
Supporting struggling readers means using systematic approaches that build confidence and develop essential literacy skills. Focus on phonics instruction and meaning-making strategies.
Use multisensory teaching methods that engage sight, sound, and movement at the same time. Teach prefixes, suffixes, and root words to improve spelling, decoding, and comprehension.
Daily support strategies:
Choose rhyming books with high repetition of words and phrases for beginning readers. This builds pattern recognition and phonological awareness.
Create successful reading experiences every day. Pair struggling readers with confident buddies, use echo reading, and celebrate attempts at spelling unfamiliar words.
Implement systematic phonics instruction that follows a logical sequence. Teach letter-sound relationships explicitly, then give plenty of practice in real reading situations.
Helping struggling readers succeed takes a team effort beyond school hours. Building strong partnerships between home and school and accessing specialised support can transform a child’s reading journey.
Parents play a crucial role in their child’s reading development. Effective communication with parents creates a consistent support network between home and school.
Daily Reading Routines
Set up a comfortable reading space at home with good lighting and minimal distractions. Choose books slightly below your child’s reading level to build confidence.
Make reading together enjoyable. Alternate paragraphs or let your child read dialogue while you handle narration.
Practical Home Activities
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole with 16 years of classroom experience, says, “Parents often underestimate their power to support reading at home. Simple activities like reading recipes together or playing rhyming games make a real difference.”
Building Confidence
Celebrate small victories and focus on effort, not perfection. When your child struggles with a word, wait a few seconds before helping. This patience builds independence.
Professional tutoring gives struggling readers intensive, structured support. Look for tutors trained in evidence-based approaches like Orton-Gillingham or structured literacy methods.
Choosing the Right Tutor
Find tutors with specific dyslexia training. They should understand multisensory learning approaches and explain their methods to you.
Online Resources and Tools
Many digital tools support students with dyslexia outside the classroom. Text-to-speech software and audiobooks help children access content while they develop decoding skills.
Support Groups
Connect with local dyslexia associations or parent support groups. These networks offer emotional support and practical advice from families facing similar challenges.
Consider summer reading programmes or holiday clubs for struggling readers. These intensive periods help prevent the “summer slide” when reading skills decline during breaks.
Focusing on a child with dyslexia’s unique strengths builds the foundation for lifelong success. Empowerment begins when you help children recognise their abilities and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.
You can build confidence for a child with dyslexia by changing the narrative from “can’t” to “can.” Highlight their creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and visual-spatial abilities so they see beyond reading difficulties.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole with 16 years of classroom experience, says, “Children with dyslexia often possess remarkable talents in areas like art, engineering thinking, and storytelling. When we celebrate these strengths first, reading becomes just one skill among many, not the measure of their worth.”
Give children opportunities to succeed outside traditional reading tasks. Let them demonstrate knowledge through:
Set achievable daily goals that build momentum. Instead of “read this chapter,” try “find three words you recognise” or “tell me what the picture shows.”
Use positive language that acknowledges effort. Replace “That’s wrong” with “You’re thinking hard about this” or “What else could we try?”
Quick confidence boosters:
Dyslexia empowerment grows when you identify and celebrate what each child does well. Many children with dyslexia excel in areas traditional education often overlooks.
Watch for these common strengths and make them visible:
| Strength Area | How to Celebrate |
|---|---|
| Creative thinking | Share their innovative solutions with the class |
| Spatial awareness | Let them lead map reading or building activities |
| Empathy | Recognise their kindness and peer support |
| Determination | Praise their persistence when tasks get difficult |
Document their progress in ways they can see and touch. Create a Success Portfolio with:
Share real success stories that match their experiences. Tell them about:
Connect their interests to possible future careers. If they love building with blocks, discuss architecture or engineering. If they enjoy helping others, explore teaching or counselling.
Create regular opportunities to showcase their talents to parents, classmates, and school leadership. This visibility shows their value extends far beyond reading scores.
Technology can transform learning for students with dyslexia by offering personalised support tools and removing barriers to reading and writing. Modern assistive technology tools help struggling readers access content more effectively and build confidence.
Text-to-speech software forms the backbone of dyslexia support technology. Programs like Microsoft Immersive Reader, built into Word and Teams, let students customise text spacing, font size, and background colours while providing high-quality speech output.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole with 16 years of classroom experience, says, “Technology isn’t about replacing traditional teaching methods – it’s about creating multiple pathways to learning. When we give children with dyslexia the right tools, we see their confidence soar.”
For Chrome browsers, Read&Write by Texthelp offers support including text highlighting, picture dictionaries, and vocabulary simplification. The BeeLine Reader extension uses coloured gradients to help students track lines more easily.
Key assistive features to look for:
Digital audiobooks give children with dyslexia access to age-appropriate content without reading barriers. Bookshare provides thousands of accessible ebooks including textbooks and novels, combining audio narration with text highlighting.
Learning Ally offers human-narrated audiobooks for children who struggle with robotic voices. Epic! provides a large library of children’s books with “read-to-me” features that teachers can assign.
Popular text-to-speech tools:
These tools help struggling readers access the same curriculum content as their peers. Students can listen at their own pace, replay difficult sections, and follow along with highlighted text.
Specialist dyslexia apps combine learning with games and interactive activities. Nessy targets phonics, fluency, and comprehension through structured, bite-sized lessons for dyslexic learners.
Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS) helps students build typing skills and phonics knowledge. This approach strengthens technical skills and boosts reading confidence.
Writing support apps include:
Organisation apps such as digital calendars and to-do lists help students manage schoolwork and deadlines. Mercury Reader simplifies web pages by removing distractions, making online research easier for students.
Start with one or two tools to avoid overwhelming students. Choose apps that fit your classroom systems and offer clear learning benefits.
Many teachers and parents find powerful dyslexia support through free online materials and community-driven platforms. These resources range from printable worksheets that reinforce phonics skills to educational videos that explain teaching strategies.
You can access thousands of free dyslexia worksheets from organisations like the American Dyslexia Association. These materials focus on phonics, letter recognition, and reading comprehension.
This Reading Mama offers printable reading activities. Their worksheets target challenges like letter reversals and sound blending.
The site provides materials for different reading levels. Beginner worksheets cover single sounds, while advanced activities use complex phonograms.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, says, “Many teachers find that having a bank of printable resources saves valuable preparation time. You can quickly adapt these materials to suit individual student needs.”
Reading Works offers over 2000 leveled reading passages with comprehension questions. The content includes science, social studies, and fiction topics aligned with curriculum standards.
Educational videos help you learn about dyslexia teaching methods and student perspectives. Many platforms provide free content from dyslexia specialists and experienced teachers.
Good Sensory Learning features video series about dyslexia support. Their content covers assistive technology, teaching strategies, and parent guidance.
YouTube channels from dyslexia organisations show practical classroom demonstrations. You can watch real teaching techniques with student examples.
Podcasts provide professional development during commutes or planning time. Many podcasts feature interviews with dyslexia researchers, teachers, and successful adults with dyslexia.
These audio resources keep you updated on research and teaching innovations. You can learn about new methods without attending conferences.
The International Dyslexia Association runs local chapters across the UK and internationally. Their websites offer fact sheets, teaching guides, and referral services.
Decoding Dyslexia leads parent support networks in many regions. These groups share local resources and connect families with similar challenges.
Made By Dyslexia provides downloadable factsheets and classroom materials. These resources help schools build dyslexia awareness for all students.
Online forums connect teachers and parents around the world. You can ask questions about teaching strategies or share successful interventions.
Facebook groups like “Homeschooling With Dyslexia” offer daily support and resource sharing. Members recommend tutors, share materials, and celebrate student achievements.
Building awareness about dyslexia starts with action in schools and communities. Effective advocacy ensures students get proper support and removes barriers to learning.
Educating all staff about learning differences creates dyslexia-friendly schools. Move beyond basic awareness to practical understanding of how dyslexia affects learning.
Key awareness strategies include:
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, says, “When teachers understand that dyslexic students often think creatively and solve problems differently, they start seeing strengths rather than just challenges.”
The International Dyslexia Association advocacy toolkit provides resources for implementing literacy practices. These tools help you advocate for effective teaching methods based on reading science.
Practical school initiatives:
Use specific language like “dyslexia” instead of general terms such as “learning difficulties.” This helps others understand what support students need.
Community awareness extends support beyond schools and helps families access resources. Reach parents, employers, and community leaders to create inclusive environments.
Effective community outreach includes:
Many dyslexia resources are available to help parents, educators, and advocates expand their understanding. These resources help you build stronger support networks.
Community action steps:
The British Dyslexia Association’s annual awareness week provides materials for community campaigns. The 2025 theme “Dyslexia: Raising the Volume” focuses on increasing visibility and understanding.
Share real examples of dyslexic individuals succeeding in different careers and situations. This helps challenge stereotypes and shows the value of supporting all learners.
Teachers need specialised training to support students with dyslexia. Quality professional development combines evidence-based teaching with ongoing learning to keep educators up to date.
Structured literacy programmes like Orton-Gillingham form the foundation of effective dyslexia teaching. This multisensory approach teaches reading using visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic pathways.
Professional development workshops can fit your school’s calendar and needs. Many programmes offer training sessions focused on practical classroom strategies.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, says, “Understanding the unique learning profile of each dyslexic student transforms how we approach reading instruction. It’s about matching teaching methods to how their brains process information.”
The International Dyslexia Association offers webinar series covering topics like reading comprehension support. These sessions provide strategies you can use right away.
Key training components include:
University programmes offer graduate certificates in dyslexia through online formats. These courses help you develop individualised intervention skills for dyslexic students.
Many online professional development courses serve teachers across all subjects. Whether you teach maths, science, or PE, you’ll learn how to support dyslexic learners in your classroom.
The Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit supports multiple professional learning needs, including General Teaching Council Scotland requirements and advanced dyslexia studies.
Available formats include:
Regular professional updates help you stay current with evolving dyslexia research and teaching methods.
Early identification through systematic screening helps prevent reading struggles from becoming long-term barriers. Regular progress tracking lets teachers adjust instruction and shows student growth.
Universal screening in K-2 reading identifies struggling readers before gaps widen. Screen all pupils three times a year using validated tools.
Key screening components include:
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, says, “Early screening isn’t about labelling children – it’s about giving them the targeted support they need before frustration sets in.”
Research-based screening and diagnostic tools enable faster intervention. Tools like Acadience Reading K-6 offer standardised measures across settings.
mCLASS provides comprehensive screening that combines universal and dyslexia-specific assessments. This saves time and gives detailed data for planning.
Progress monitoring helps educators measure performance throughout the year. Consistent data allows you to make informed decisions about intervention.
Essential progress measures:
The National Center on Intensive Intervention provides tools for measuring student progress. Choose tools that match your goals.
Track both accuracy and fluency gains. Show pupils their progress visually to help maintain motivation.
For example, a Year 2 pupil reads 15 words per minute in September and 35 words per minute by December. This evidence helps parents understand the effectiveness of interventions.
Teachers often ask about strategies, materials, and tools that make the biggest difference for dyslexic learners. These practical solutions address classroom challenges and help students build confidence and reading skills.
Structured literacy approaches help dyslexic students most. These methods teach reading skills in a clear, step-by-step way that matches how the brain learns to read.
Use explicit, systematic reading programs that teach phonics rules directly. Break lessons into small parts and repeat skills until students master them.
Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole, explains, “When I teach students with dyslexia, I always emphasise the importance of multisensory learning.” She says, “Students need to see, hear, and feel letters and sounds to make lasting connections.”
Try these key strategies every day:
Add writing activities that reinforce spelling rules. Review previous lessons before starting new concepts.
Multisensory techniques help students remember better. Let them trace letters in sand, use coloured pens for different sounds, or tap out syllables while reading.
Simple text changes make reading easier for dyslexic students. Use fonts like Arial or Comic Sans, increase the text size to 12-14 point, and print on cream or off-white paper.
Space out your text more than usual. Double-space between lines and leave extra space between paragraphs and words.
Use these formatting changes:
Add bullet points for lists and instructions. Include pictures or diagrams to support the text.
Coloured overlays can reduce visual stress for some students. Offer different colours like yellow, blue, or pink and let students choose what helps them most.
Create word banks for each subject. List important vocabulary with simple definitions that students can use during lessons and assessments.
Text-to-speech software lets students access written content they cannot read alone. These programs read aloud any text on screen, from worksheets to online articles.
Speech-to-text tools help students get their ideas down without struggling with spelling and writing. They speak their thoughts, and the software converts speech into written text.
Popular assistive technology includes:
Word prediction software suggests words as students type the first few letters. This reduces spelling mistakes and speeds up writing tasks.
Try audiobooks and digital texts for reading assignments. Students can follow along with printed books while listening to narration.
Evidence-based programmes designed for dyslexic learners work best. These structured approaches teach phonics step by step and include plenty of practice.
Orton-Gillingham based programmes use multisensory techniques. Students learn through visual, auditory, and tactile methods together.
Recommended programmes include:
Beat Dyslexia and Nessy Learning offer online programmes that students can use at school and home. These adapt to individual learning speeds and provide immediate feedback.
Look for programmes that teach six key areas: phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and spelling. The best programmes connect all these skills instead of teaching them separately.
Reduce the amount of text students need to process at once. Instead of full worksheets, give sections one at a time or highlight the specific parts students should focus on.
Offer alternative ways to show understanding. Students might draw diagrams, record audio responses, or create mind maps instead of writing long paragraphs.
Try these task changes:
Break assignments into smaller steps with clear deadlines. Let students choose topics so they can write about their interests.
Use graphic organisers to help students plan their writing. Story maps, sequence charts, and paragraph planners give structure before students begin.
Consider oral assessments as well as written work. Many dyslexic students can show knowledge better through speaking.
Give students access to word processors for longer writing tasks. Spell-check and editing tools help them produce better final pieces.
The British Dyslexia Association offers training courses for teachers at different levels. Their Level 5 Certificate helps teachers understand dyslexic learning differences.
Patoss (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties) runs specialist courses throughout the UK. These courses focus on assessment and teaching techniques for dyslexic students.
Teachers can choose from several professional development options.
You can take online courses from Dyslexia Action and the Helen Arkell Centre. Some universities offer modules in specific learning difficulties.
Local authorities sometimes run training sessions. Specialist organisations also provide school-based INSET sessions.
The Institute of Education Sciences shares research-based guidance on dyslexia interventions. Teachers can use this guidance to improve their classroom practice.
Many courses teach practical strategies you can use right away. Choose training that includes hands-on activities and real classroom examples.
You may also want to join professional networks like the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust. These organisations share resources, research updates, and teaching strategies throughout the year.
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