How to use an IEP for dyslexia when homeschooling your child

Homeschooling a dyslexic child after time in public school means stepping into a new rhythm, but it doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), it can serve as a flexible guide, giving you ideas for supports and strategies that worked well in the classroom and may fit naturally into your homeschool plan.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to bring key insights from an IEP into a homeschool routine that grows with your child. We’ll also share how Outschool’s live and self-paced classes can complement your lessons, offering both literacy practice and exciting subjects to explore.

Using the IEP as a helpful starting point

If your dyslexic child is moving from public school to homeschooling, their IEP can be a valuable guide as you plan next steps. At its core, this document typically contains a record of what has helped your child succeed. It shows how dyslexia affects reading and writing, highlights strengths, and lists supports such as structured literacy lessons, multisensory activities, and assistive technology.

You could also set up a simple plan at home or work with private service providers to create a Privately Developed Plan (PDP), which has similar content to an IEP but is created independently of the school district. Both options let you update strategies easily and stay focused on what truly helps your child, without the pressure of school-based timelines or formal reporting.

Key sections of an IEP to build on at home

An IEP includes details that can make planning your homeschool day much easier. Going through it with fresh eyes can help you pull out practical information that may transfer well to a home setting. These are some areas worth a closer look:

• Current learning picture – This section shows where your dyslexic child is confident and where reading, spelling, or comprehension may need extra support. It can guide the first lessons you plan and help you avoid gaps or unnecessary review.
• Teaching strategies that clicked – Notes about structured literacy, multisensory teaching, or specific phonics methods provide a ready-made list of approaches you can keep using or research further.
• Helpful supports and tools – Recommendations like extra time for written work, speech-to-text software, audiobooks, or color overlays can fit naturally into home lessons and reduce frustration.
• Assessment and progress notes – Comments on how often check-ins helped or which review methods worked best can help you choose a rhythm for revisiting skills without adding pressure.
• Environmental supports – Descriptions of how seating, lighting, or quiet spaces improved focus can help you create a comfortable learning spot at home.

Using these details as guidance means you start with strategies that have already supported your child’s success and can adapt them as their interests and abilities grow.

Deciding how much of the IEP to carry forward

As you settle into homeschooling, you’ll find that not every part of your child’s IEP will match what you do at home. That’s completely normal. Instead of feeling like you have to transfer everything, you can choose which pieces continue to be helpful and which ones no longer fit.

• Adapt goals to a new pace: The IEP might list goals with strict timeframes, like “master 20 new sight words in nine weeks.” At home, you can use those goals for inspiration, but you are free to adjust the pace so progress feels steady and positive instead of rushed.
• Simplify how you document progress: Public school IEPs require formal progress reports. At home, you can replace those with simple notes, a reading log, or saved writing samples. These lighter records keep you informed and prepared if you ever need to share growth with a specialist or apply for services.
• Update accommodations for a home setting: Some accommodations, such as small-group testing or frequent movement breaks, are already built into homeschooling. Others, like access to audiobooks or assistive technology, can be kept as written to help when you work with tutors or outside classes.

This way, the IEP remains a living reference rather than a rigid checklist. You decide what to keep, reshape, or let go, always focusing on what supports your dyslexic child’s confidence and love of learning.

How an IEP can help with ESA funding

If you plan to apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA), your child’s IEP can be more than a teaching guide; it can also help with funding. ESAs let families use state-managed funds for approved education expenses like specialized reading programs, tutoring, or therapy. In many states, an IEP can help by serving as proof of dyslexia when you apply.

Because each state sets its own rules, it’s a good idea to check what documentation your state accepts. Some will ask for an IEP, while others may also accept a recent private evaluation or a PDP created with trusted providers. Knowing these options can make applying for extra resources easier and help you confidently plan the support your child needs at home.

To learn what applies in your state, visit our ESA resources for clear, state-by-state guidance on eligibility, funding levels, and the paperwork that makes applications smoother.

Adapting IEP accommodations and strategies for homeschooling

Moving your dyslexic child's IEP accommodations from a traditional classroom to your home opens up incredible possibilities for personalized learning. The beauty of homeschooling lies in your ability to tailor every aspect of your child's education to their unique needs, creating an environment where they can flourish. Below are some tips to consider as you build daily lessons around your child’s IEP.

Strengthening phonological and decoding skills

IEPs for dyslexic learners often emphasize explicit phonics instruction because consistent work on sound–letter relationships builds the foundation for fluent reading.

• Structured phonics practice like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson-style lessons can be adapted into short, daily sessions.
• Word-building activities, such as using magnetic letters or tactile blocks, help connect sounds to written symbols.
• Regular review cycles (for example, revisiting tricky sound patterns weekly) keep new skills solid without overwhelming your child.

Supporting written expression

Writing is another common focus in dyslexia IEPs, and those recommendations can guide how you teach and assess writing at home.

• Graphic organizers and mind maps break down assignments into manageable steps and give your child a visual plan before starting.
• Speech-to-text tools let them capture ideas verbally, shifting effort away from spelling and handwriting so creativity shines.
• Short, targeted practice in spelling or sentence structure helps build accuracy over time without turning writing into a stressful task.

Building reading confidence and comprehension

Comprehension strategies listed in an IEP can help your dyslexic child enjoy books and tackle more complex texts.

• Pre-reading supports, such as previewing vocabulary or using story maps, make new material less intimidating.
• Audiobooks combined with print copies let your child follow along visually and aurally, reinforcing word recognition and understanding.
• Access to decodable readers versus traditional books for book reports, independent reading, etc. helps build confidence
• Guided discussion and reflection after reading strengthen comprehension and critical thinking in a relaxed setting.

Drawing from these supports can help you design lessons that fit your homeschool day while giving your dyslexic child the tools they need to grow. Because you set the pace and environment, each of these strategies can flex as your child’s skills and interests evolve.

IEP for Dyslexia: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Parents often wonder how an IEP fits into a new homeschool routine. These answers can help you move forward with confidence while keeping your child’s unique learning needs in focus.

Is there a benefit to requesting an IEP evaluation after we’ve left public school?

Sometimes, yes. Having an IEP for dyslexia may help your family access certain learning supports, like speech-language services or ESA funding, that require formal documentation. However, it's important to note that the availability of these services for homeschoolers may vary by state.

Can I request an IEP evaluation for my dyslexic child even if we’re already homeschooling?

Yes. Under the Child Find mandate of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public school districts are responsible for locating and evaluating all children who may have a disability, including homeschooled children. 

Each district may follow its own timeline and steps for handling requests, so it’s best to contact your district’s special education office directly for detailed guidelines.

How do I adapt my child's IEP for dyslexia when switching to homeschooling?

Begin by reading through the IEP and highlighting parts that have been most effective, whether that’s specific phonics methods, technology tools, or recommended supports like small-group reading practice. Then think about how those pieces can fit naturally into your homeschool day.

For example, a goal about improving reading fluency could become a daily routine of structured phonics lessons or a weekly progress check with a reading specialist. You can keep the helpful ideas and adjust the pace and format so they suit a home environment without needing to follow school-based timelines.

What accommodations and strategies work best for homeschooling a dyslexic child?

Multisensory learning techniques that engage touch, sight, and sound simultaneously prove most effective for dyslexic learners at home. Break lessons into shorter segments with frequent movement breaks, use visual aids and hands-on activities, and allow extra time for reading and writing tasks.

Where can I find resources and support for homeschooling with an IEP for dyslexia?

Online communities, local homeschool support groups, and specialized dyslexia organizations offer valuable guidance and curriculum recommendations for families. Many parents find success with structured literacy programs and specialized curricula designed specifically for dyslexic learners.

Professional tutors, educational therapists, and online learning platforms like Outschool can also provide additional support when you need expert guidance or want to supplement your home instruction.

Creating a homeschool plan that feels right

Shifting from school-based learning to homeschooling is a significant transition. An IEP can help by highlighting strategies and accommodations that worked in the past, but it doesn’t replace the insight you have as a parent. You get to decide how to blend those supports with your child’s natural pace and interests.

Adding Outschool classes is an easy next step to keep things engaging. Our live and self-paced lessons can strengthen reading skills or open up new interests, all while fitting comfortably into the personalized plan you’ve built at home.