Dyslexia Teaching Methods That Empower Struggling Readers

Want to help students with dyslexia read better? Here's what works:

Here's the thing: 30-50% of students with dyslexia don't improve with regular reading methods. But using the right approach changes everything.

What you'll learn:

• Proven teaching methods that work
• Step-by-step reading instruction
• Digital tools that help
• Ways to track progress
• Quick classroom tips

Want the #1 tip that works? Start with multi-sensory learning. Mix what students see, hear, and touch. It's that simple.

Remember: Dyslexia isn't about intelligence - it's about how the brain processes words. The right teaching methods make all the difference.

Using Multiple Senses to Learn

When teaching dyslexic students to read, combining sight, sound, touch, and movement gets better results. Here's how each sense helps them learn.

Learning Through Sight

Visual tools boost reading skills. Check out these proven methods:

Quick tip: Big, bold text on flashcards makes words easier to remember.

Learning Through Sound

Sound-based learning helps kids match letters with their sounds:

Learning Through Touch and Movement

Getting physical with reading helps the brain learn better. Here's what works:

1. Sand Writing

Kids get sand on paper plates and:

• Write letters in sand
• Say letter names
• Make letter sounds

2. Blending Boards

Using letter cards, students:

• Look at one letter
• Make its sound
• Combine sounds into words

3. Arm Tapping

Students learn words by:

• Looking at word cards
• Tapping arm for each letter
• Sliding hand down arm to say the word

"If a child is not learning in the way you teach, change your teaching strategy and teach the child in the way he learns!" - Praveen A.V

These hands-on methods work because they give kids multiple ways to learn each concept. Using eyes, ears, and hands together helps students remember letters and words better.

Step-by-Step Reading Methods

Teaching Letter Sounds

Here's how to teach letters to students with dyslexia - one or two at a time:

"My job is to make letters NOT confusing." - Linda Farrell, Educator

Two methods that work:

Orton-Gillingham Method

• Look at letter s
• Name it
• Make its sound
• Write in shaving cream

Wilson Reading System

• Tap sounds with fingers
• Mix sounds together
• Say the word

Reading Words More Easily

Here's what works, step by step:

What Works:

• Start simple
• Master each step
• Pick texts that match what you've taught

"Phonics instruction means going step-by-step through phonics skills." - Laura Phillips, PsyD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Child Mind Institute

Daily Practice:

• Use letter tiles to sound out words
• Make words that match patterns
• Read practice texts
• Play word games

The Barton Reading Program shows this in action:

• Yellow tiles = vowels
• Blue tiles = consonants
• Build words piece by piece
• Read out loud to check

Using Digital Tools

Here's the thing about digital tools: They're not just fancy add-ons. They're game-changers for students with dyslexia.

How Lesson Bud Helps Teachers

Let me show you what LessonBud's AI can do:

It creates reading passages about stuff kids ACTUALLY care about (like sports and space). Plus, it pumps out word lists and practice sheets that match exactly what each student needs.

Think about it: Instead of spending hours making materials, teachers can focus on what matters most - teaching.

Reading Tools with AI

Want to know what makes AI reading tools different? Check this out:

"AI can finally give students with dyslexia and other learning differences the personalized lessons needed to help them work with - instead of work around - their disability." - Landmark School Teacher

Top Tools That Get Results:

• Readability: Text highlighting + fluency practice
• Nessy: Reading skills through games
• Dyslexia Gold: Built-in progress tracking

Want to Get Started? Here's How:

1. Pick ONE tool (don't overwhelm yourself)
2. Play with different text colors
3. Find the right reading speed
4. Keep notes on what works best

The key? Start small. Test what works. Then build from there.

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Putting Methods into Practice

Here's exactly what you need to do in your classroom:

Setting Up Your Classroom

Must-Have Items:

• Phonics cards showing mouth positions
• Colored overlays (they cost less than £1)
• Word mats in clear folders

Making Learning Work

Simple Changes That Make a Big Impact:

• Give printed notes (no copying from board)
• Keep lessons short (15 minutes max)
• Don't force students to read out loud

"I use SOS method for spelling - students repeat the word, then spell it with their finger or tap out the sounds. It's part of the Orton Gillingham approach." - Amy Yacoub, Speech-Language Pathologist

Daily Flow:

1. Phonics (10 min)
2. Blending practice (15 min)
3. Sand tray writing (10 min)
4. Move around between tasks

Look at ideas and content when grading - not spelling or grammar.

Tech Tools That Help:

• Programs that read text
• Voice recording tools
• Reading pens for solo work

Checking Student Progress

Here's what works to track how well your students are learning:

Want to know if your teaching methods are working? Do these quick checks each week:

• Test how students break down sounds
• Check if they read words correctly
• Look at spelling progress
• Time their reading speed

Here's what to do when you spot common problems:

Make Your Testing Count:

• Keep it SHORT (5 minutes max)
• Test at the same time each day
• Focus on ONE skill at a time
• Write down exact scores

"Research shows that identifying dyslexia and starting research-supported interventions early - in kindergarten or 1st grade - can enable children with dyslexia to make fewer reading mistakes, increase the speed of word recognition, and improve their phonological and phoneme-blending skills." - International Dyslexia Association

Monthly Game Plan:

1. Start with a baseline test
2. Check specific skills
3. Look at last month's scores
4. Fix your teaching plan
5. Talk to parents about progress

Test after finishing each Orton-Gillingham level. Keep everything in a student binder - it helps during parent meetings.

Key Points to Remember

Here's what works for teaching students with dyslexia to read:

Core Teaching Tools:

Daily Must-Do's:

• Split words into sounds
• Work on letter patterns
• Read simple texts
• Use hands-on tools
• Check progress

"Systematic phonics instruction... means moving step-by-step through a progression of phonics skills." - Laura Phillips, PsyD, Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute

Quick Facts:

• 5-10% of people have dyslexia
• 60-100% need math help too
• Students need 25% more time on tasks

What Works vs What Doesn't:

"By using specialized teaching strategies for dyslexia students, teachers can significantly enhance the academic success and overall well-being of the students." - Amy Yacoub, Speech-Language Pathologist

The Orton-Gillingham method works because it uses ALL your senses to learn reading. Start with basic sounds, then move up. Keep track of how students do, and adjust your teaching based on their needs.

FAQs

What are 3 interventions that can help students with dyslexia?

What are multisensory methods for dyslexia?

Here's how to teach reading using multiple senses at once:

These methods work because they connect:

• What kids see (the letters)
• What they hear (the sounds)
• What they do (the movements)
• What they feel (the materials)

Mix 2-3 methods in each lesson. Start with simple sounds, then move to harder words.

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