guide to overcoming dyslexia

A Comprehensive Resource Guide for Teachers and Students

Introduction

Dyslexia, a learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading, is the most common learning disorder that affects both children and adults — including Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, and Anderson Cooper, among many others. Because it is so common, there is a high level of understanding about dyslexia and plenty of strategies for surmounting the challenges it presents. And that’s why we put together this guide that is packed with 40 individual resources for anyone affected by dyslexia. Read on to discover resources for students and teachers, as well as games, activities, and more.

General Dyslexia Resources

This section is for anyone interested in learning more about the resources available to those with dyslexia, including parents and teachers. The links below include organizations focused on dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and other general resources related to dyslexia.

The International Dyslexia Association

IDA works for greater understanding and support for the dyslexic community. The website includes background information, resources for families and teachers, and related publications.

Understood.org

This website is a fantastic resource for anyone hoping to get a better understanding of dyslexia. It is especially useful for parents of dyslexic children and provides lots of helpful articles and hints.

Dyslexic Advantage

Dyslexic Advantage is a worldwide online network for dyslexic individuals, parents, and teachers, with a mission “to foster positive identity, community, and strength for every dyslexic child and adults.”

Eye to Eye

Eye to Eye is a national learning disability movement dedicated to mentoring. It brings adults with learning disabilities (including dyslexia) to schools to develop one-on-one relationships with students with similar disabilities.

Headstrong Nation

This movement aims to empower adult dyslexics to develop new ways of learning and working based on their abilities. The website contains tons of helpful information for adults and parents, including insightful videos and a robust list local community resources.

Dyslexia Reading Well

A “virtual well of dyslexia resources,” this is a great place to get an understanding of dyslexia and find plans, programs, and resources to help.

Dyslexia Resources for Students

Dyslexia can make being a student extra challenging, no matter the age. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to help students of all ages reach their full potential at school and beyond.

Learning Ally

Learning Ally is a nonprofit that seeks to help students with print disabilities like dyslexia. As well as in-school programs, the organization provides a library of audiobooks, an online community just for students, and a college success program.

Get Ready to Read

An initiative from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, this website provides free early learning resources. It has games and webinars for children, and toolkits and information for parents.

Neuhaus Academy

Developed for adolescent and adult learners, these short videos aim to increase students’ ability to read, pronounce, and understand word meanings.

Independent Schools

Here is a long list of independent schools across the US that specialize in educating students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

We Connect

This network unites and encourages college students with disabilities to succeed in their studies. The site offers information and support, as well as a robust online community.

Dyslexia Resources

Head to this site for free advice, resources, and strategies made to help dyslexic students overcome their challenges through mindful and multisensory materials and strategies.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Students with Learning and Attention Issues

For students looking for help paying for college, here is a list of scholarships just for scholars with learning and attention issues.

Tips from Dyslexic Students for Dyslexic Students

Worried about how to succeed in college with dyslexia? Here is a helpful article of hints, tips, and advice from current college students on how they made it through higher education.

Tips from Dyslexic Students for Dyslexic Students

Worried about how to succeed in college with dyslexia? Here is a helpful article of hints, tips and advice from current college students on how they made it through higher education.

How to Help Your Dyslexic Teen Do Their Best in Exams

With one out of every ten persons suffering from dyslexia, millions of parents across the world are concerned about providing their kids with the necessary help. This piece offers helpful strategies for parents with dyslexic teenagers.

Dyslexia Resources for Teachers

Teachers of dyslexic students will benefit from the many resources below that include curricula, teaching strategies, and activities to ensure that dyslexic students’ unique needs are met in the classroom, no matter the grade.

Dyslexia in the Classroom

This handbook was developed to help educators better understand dyslexia and support children in reaching their fullest potential. It includes classroom strategies and components of effective reading instruction.

Reading Resource

This website has lots of worksheets and teaching tips to aid teachers in incorporating extra practice reading in the classroom for dyslexic learners.

The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity

Head here for a wealth of information for both teachers and parents. There are articles for educators, reading lists, technology tools, and more.

iTeach Special Education

A great tool for anyone in special education, this is a Facebook group where educators share their recommendations and tips for iOS devices or apps that aid in education.

Strategies for Teachers

Teaches can review this useful article for recommendations that can enrich learning for beginning readers and writers.

10 Teaching Tips for Dyslexia

This is a straightforward list of 10 tips to help any teacher with dyslexic students in their classroom.

A Dyslexic Child in the Classroom

Check out this in-depth article that covers ways to approach the different areas of learning in a way that accommodates the needs of dyslexic students.

Homeschooling Curricula

Parents who teach their dyslexic children at home have unique challenges and opportunities. This site lists some of the best curricula available to teach from home.

Support for Dyslexic Pupils

Written for teachers, this guide provides a wealth of information on teaching and supporting dyslexic students and strategies for approaching their various needs.

Overcoming Dyslexia with Games and Exercises

Especially for younger children with dyslexia, games can be one of the most useful tools to improve literacy and enrich the learning experience. Here are a few games for a variety of ages that can make learning more fun.

Inky the Octopus and Gus the Bunny

These characters from PBS’s Between the Lions star in online games that bring young readers into stories and activities that dive into early literacy skills.

Storyline Online

Great for kids struggling to read on their own, this website has a big collection of books read aloud by actors.

Starfall

This bright website offers many free stories and web activities to help students get excited about reading.

Silent Invaders

This game by the BBC helps students recognize silent letters, often a challenge for dyslexic readers. The website has lots of other free reading games as well.

Fun & Games for Dyslexics

Head to the University of Michigan's Dyslexia Help site for a range of fun reading games, websites, and apps.

Finger Play

Little kids will get such a kick out of these fun activities that combine word and rhyme with simple finger movements to develop memory and recall skills (think “Itsy Bitsy Spider”). Visit RIF’s YouTube page for more videos.

BBC Skillswise

Not all games are for children — these games, quizzes, and worksheets help students and adults over the age of 16 practice the skills they will need at college and in the workplace.

Free Rice

Want to build your vocabulary, strengthen reading skills, and do something good for the world all at the same time? That’s what Free Rice offers. This vocabulary quiz donates a small amount of rice to hungry people for every question you answer.

Understanding Dyslexia Resources

Browse the links below to discover basic and more in-depth research on dyslexia. From fact sheets to scientific papers, these resources provide greater insight into this fairly common but often misunderstood learning disability.