Homeschooling a child with dyslexia can be difficult, but it also offers a powerful opportunity: the chance to shape learning around how your child’s brain actually works. Many children with dyslexia need instruction that looks different from conventional, one-size-fits-all approaches, and homeschooling allows you to meet those needs intentionally. At home, you can choose specialized methods, build in accommodations, and adjust instruction to what helps your child learn best, creating an environment that supports confidence, understanding, and long-term growth.
For many families, this means looking for lessons or curricula that use activities, games, movement, and hands-on projects rather than relying on worksheets or rote memorization. These kinds of lessons can make learning more fun and easier to understand, especially for children who learn best by doing. By choosing materials that support areas of difficulty while also highlighting your child’s strengths, you can help build confidence, reduce stress, and create a learning environment where your child feels capable and understood.
How Homeschooling a Child With Dyslexia Works
When a child has dyslexia, learning with a one-size-fits-all instructional model can feel overwhelming or discouraging. Programs built around a single teaching method, standardized testing, or rigid expectations don’t usually reflect how dyslexic children process language. Homeschooling can offer a supportive alternative that allows families to use alternative approaches and accommodations that more closely align with your child’s learning style.
Homeschooling invites you, as a parent, to learn more about evidence-based multisensory reading instruction designed specifically for dyslexic learners. Programs and methods, including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, or Lindamood Bell, focus on explicit, structured instruction best suited for dyslexic thinkers. Exploring these approaches can help you better understand how your child processes language and choose strategies that support reading development in an intentional way.
How dyslexia can impact learning
As a parent of a dyslexic child, you know that learning can look different from the start. Dyslexia primarily affects how the brain processes written language, which can make decoding, spelling, and written expression more challenging. These difficulties exist independently of intelligence. In fact, many children with dyslexia have average or above-average IQs, and a significant number are twice-exceptional (2E), meaning they are both dyslexic and gifted in one or more areas.
Dyslexia can also affect skills such as working memory, organization, and sequencing. This may influence areas beyond reading, including math, note-taking, or following multi-step instructions. These challenges are not a measure of ability, but they can make traditional, text-heavy instruction particularly frustrating without appropriate support.
Where homeschooling can help
Homeschooling allows you to teach in ways that reduce unnecessary barriers to learning. Lessons can be broken into smaller steps, taught using multisensory methods, and revisited as often as needed without pressure or comparison to peers.
You can choose materials that emphasize hands-on learning, movement, audio support, and real-life application. This flexibility helps children feel understood and supported, often leading to increased confidence, reduced anxiety, and a more positive relationship with learning overall.
Techniques Used in Homeschooling a Student With Dyslexia
Children with dyslexia learn best when instruction is clear, structured, and engaging. Homeschooling allows parents to use teaching techniques that reduce frustration, build confidence, and support how a child processes language. The strategies below are commonly used in dyslexia-friendly instruction and can be adapted to fit a wide range of ages and learning styles.
Orton-Gilligham approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach is a structured, systematic method for teaching reading that is widely used with students who have dyslexia. It teaches language skills in a clear sequence, starting with simple concepts and gradually building toward more complex ones. Lessons explicitly connect letters and sounds, reinforce patterns through repetition, and revisit skills regularly to support long-term retention.
In practice, this might look like teaching one sound pattern at a time, practicing it through reading, spelling, and writing activities, and only moving on once the child shows understanding. Many dyslexia-specific reading programs incorporate structured, multisensory literacy principles commonly taught in formal Orton-Gillingham training. It’s helpful to note, however, that true Orton-Gillingham instruction involves extensive certification, and not all programs that use similar strategies are the same.
Multisensory instruction
Activating the five senses helps a child move information from the page to memory, helping children form stronger connections between sounds, letters, and meaning. This approach is especially effective for students with dyslexia because it allows information to be processed in multiple ways.
For example, a child might say a sound aloud while tracing a letter in sand, forming it with clay, or writing it in shaving cream. Using sight, sound, and touch together helps reinforce learning and makes abstract concepts more concrete.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology can be a powerful tool for supporting independence and reducing barriers to learning. Tools like speech-to-text allow children to express ideas without being limited by spelling or handwriting challenges. Audiobooks and text-to-speech tools make grade-level content more accessible while still building vocabulary and comprehension.
For instance, a child might listen to an audiobook while following along with the printed text or dictate a writing assignment using speech-to-text before revising it together. These tools help students focus on understanding and ideas rather than getting stuck on mechanics.
Visual aids
Visual supports can reduce strain and improve readability for students with dyslexia. Colored overlays may help some children experience less visual stress while reading, especially when working with worksheets or dense text. Dyslexia-friendly fonts and increased spacing can also make reading feel more manageable.
Visual aids like charts, graphic organizers, and timelines help students organize information and see relationships between ideas, which supports comprehension and memory.
Whole-to-part instruction
Whole-to-part instruction helps children understand the bigger picture before focusing on details. For students with dyslexia, context matters. Starting with meaning first can make it easier to grasp specific skills later.
In reading, this might mean discussing the overall story, characters, or topic before breaking words into sounds or patterns. In other subjects, it could involve introducing a concept visually or through discussion before working on individual facts or steps. This approach supports working memory and helps information stick.
Hands-on activities
Hands-on activities give students a physical way to interact with ideas, which can deepen understanding. Manipulatives like letter tiles support spelling and word-building, while models, drawings, or timelines help make abstract concepts tangible.
For example, building a model of an animal cell, acting out a historical event, or mapping a story sequence allows children to engage with content in meaningful ways. These experiences help students move from concrete understanding to abstract thinking and apply what they’ve learned in new contexts.
Topics Typically Covered in a Homeschool Curriculum for a Student With Dyslexia
When looking into a curriculum, use these guidelines to help you make a wise choice.
- Explicit, direct instruction in every subject. For example, when introducing a longer word, students should be taught to say it, write it, and build it using manipulatives. This step-by-step approach gives children a reliable strategy for decoding multisyllabic words when they encounter them later.
- Clear scope and sequence that shows how skills build over time. Students need to master short vowel sounds in consonant–vowel–consonant words before moving on to more complex vowel patterns or longer words.
- Multisensory activities that reinforce learning through multiple pathways. This might include using chants to remember spelling rules, forming letters with Play-Doh, or tracing words while saying sounds aloud.
- Align with local homeschooling laws and academic expectations. Be sure to review your state’s requirements for subject coverage, documentation, and progress tracking to ensure your curriculum meets those standards.
With these guidelines in mind, let’s explore subjects you will find in a homeschool curriculum for students with dyslexia.
Reading
When choosing a reading curriculum, pay attention to how new skills are introduced and reinforced. Effective programs teach words and word parts using a whole-to-part approach, helping students understand a word's meaning before breaking it into sounds and patterns.
For younger learners, multisensory activities, such as writing letters on a dry-erase board while saying the sounds aloud, make lessons more engaging and memorable. Building on previously learned skills helps students approach more challenging concepts with confidence.
For older learners, effective reading instruction continues to emphasize explicit teaching of syllable types, morphology (prefixes, suffixes, and roots), and advanced decoding strategies. These skills support accurate reading of longer, more complex words and help students build fluency and comprehension as academic demands increase.
Spelling
Spelling instruction works best when it is closely connected to writing.
For younger learners, look for a curriculum that teaches handwriting strokes and letter sounds together, rather than treating them as separate skills. In a multisensory approach, students say each sound as they write the letter, connecting movement, sound, and visual memory. This process helps children form a clear mental picture of letters and words, making accurate spelling more achievable over time.
In the upper grades, spelling instruction often expands to include morphology and word structure, helping students understand how meaning and spelling connect across related words. This approach supports more accurate spelling in longer written assignments and reinforces skills needed for academic writing across subjects.
Math
Multisensory techniques are especially important in math instruction for students with dyslexia. Manipulatives such as blocks, counters, or fraction tiles allow students to see and feel mathematical concepts as they solve problems.
Auditory learners may benefit from learning math facts through movement and chants, such as counting by fives while jumping. Tracing numbers or forming them with tactile materials also supports number recognition while strengthening gross motor skills.
Popular Homeschool Curricula for Students With Dyslexia
When choosing a homeschool curriculum for a student with dyslexia, parents often look for programs that offer structured instruction, flexibility, and strong multisensory support. Below are several commonly used options families research when building a dyslexia-friendly homeschool plan.
Outschool’s online curricula and classes
Outschool offers a wide range of live, small-group, and one-on-one classes that can support students with dyslexia. Families can select classes based on specific needs, such as reading support, writing instruction, or subject-area tutoring. You can even find Orton-Gillingham-trained teachers to support your child.
The flexibility of online learning allows parents to supplement their homeschool curriculum without committing to a full program, making it easier to target areas where a child needs extra help while maintaining a personalized learning pace.
Orton-Gillingham method
Some families prefer to use structured reading programs or curriculum packages designed specifically for students with dyslexia, like the Orton-Gillingham method. These options often focus on systematic instruction, repeated practice, and multisensory learning techniques. You can also find teachers who use these methods on Outschool’s platform.
Parents may combine these curricula with hands-on activities, assistive technology, or online support to create a well-rounded homeschool experience that meets both academic and emotional needs.
Barton Reading
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is an Orton-Gillingham-based program designed specifically for students with dyslexia. It provides scripted, step-by-step lessons that guide parents through instruction without requiring a background in education.
The program emphasizes mastery before moving on and uses consistent routines and multisensory techniques to help students build strong foundational reading and spelling skills over time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschool Curriculum for Students With Dyslexia
You may have many questions about designing a homeschool curriculum for a student with dyslexia. Here are some answers to common questions.
What should you consider if you’re homeschooling a middle schooler with dyslexia?
When homeschooling a middle schooler with dyslexia, it’s important to consider both academic needs and growing independence. At this stage, students often benefit from targeted, one-on-one instruction in reading and writing while also having opportunities to apply skills through hands-on projects and interest-based learning. Pay attention to whether your child needs continued foundational support or is ready to focus more on comprehension, organization, and written expression.
Middle schoolers may also respond well to assistive tools such as audiobooks, speech-to-text, and structured online classes that allow them to work more independently. Just as important, consider your child’s confidence and motivation. Choosing approaches that respect their strengths and give them a sense of ownership over their learning can make a significant difference.
Is there a national curriculum for teaching students with dyslexia?
No, there isn’t a single national curriculum for teaching students with dyslexia.
However, many states are adopting the Structured Literacy and Science of Reading standards, which are widely recognized as effective for supporting dyslexic learners.
Structured Literacy emphasizes explicit, sequential instruction that builds skills from simple to complex, while the Science of Reading focuses on foundational reading components such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Together, these approaches provide a research-based framework that benefits all learners, especially students with dyslexia.
How do you choose a math class for a student with dyslexia?
When choosing a math class for a student with dyslexia, look for instruction that builds concepts gradually, starting with simple skills before moving on to more complex ones.
A strong math curriculum uses multisensory strategies, such as manipulatives, movement, and discussion, to help students visualize problems and create meaning that supports long-term retention. Lessons should be taught in short, focused segments with frequent review, recognizing that working memory can affect how well math facts stick. Flexible pacing and visual supports like charts or models help students progress with confidence rather than feeling overwhelmed.
What’s Next?
Taking time to research your options can help you choose a curriculum that truly supports your child with dyslexia. As you explore different approaches and tools, involve your child in the process whenever possible so learning feels collaborative rather than overwhelming. Using the right mix of structure, flexibility, and support can make learning more engaging and sustainable over time. With thoughtful planning and the right resources, your child can build confidence, develop strong skills, and continue growing as a capable learner.
Sources
- International Dyslexia Association. “Common Core State Standards and Students with Disabilities.” 2020, dyslexiaida.org/common-core-state-standards-and-students-with-disabilities/.
- International Dyslexia Association. “What Is Structured Literacy?” 2020, dyslexiaida.org/what-is-structured-literacy/.
- International Dyslexia Association. “Why Homeschool a Student with Dyslexia?” Homeschooling Fact Sheet, 2020, dyslexiaida.org/homeschooling-fact-sheet/.
- Morin, Amanda. “8 Multisensory Techniques to Teach Reading.” International Dyslexia Association, 2018, socal.dyslexiaida.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/08/MS-Reading-Tech-aug-18.pdf
- National Center on Improving Literacy. “The Science of Reading: An Overview.” 2022, improvingliteracy.org/resource/the-science-of-reading-an-overview.
- Orton-Gillingham Academy. “What Is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?” Orton-Gillingham Academy, www.ortonacademy.org/resources/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/.
- Woodin, Christopher. “Math Introduction.” The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, dyslexia.yale.edu/resources/educators/instruction/math-introduction/.
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