#12: Dyslexia Support Strategies – Tips & Tricks That Work
Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 students, making it one of the most common learning differences in classrooms today. While it presents unique challenges, the good news is that science-backed dyslexia support strategies can make reading and writing more accessible for struggling students. With the right approach, teachers and parents can help dyslexic learners build confidence and fluency.
What Is Dyslexia?
The term dyslexia was coined in the late 1800s, and its roots mean “difficulty with words.” It is a neurobiological learning difference that primarily affects word recognition, spelling, and decoding. Dyslexia is not linked to intelligence or vision problems, despite common myths. Instead, it stems from difficulties with phonological processing, which means students struggle to hear, identify, and manipulate the sounds in words.
Common Signs of Dyslexia in the Classroom
Dyslexia looks different at various ages, but there are key signs to watch for:
Preschool and Kindergarten:
- Difficulty recognizing rhyming words
- Struggles with letter recognition and naming
- Trouble remembering nursery rhymes
Early Elementary:
- Difficulty blending sounds to decode words
- Slow, labored reading with frequent guessing
- Ongoing struggles with sight word recognition
Upper Elementary and Beyond:
- Poor spelling despite repeated practice
- Reading fluency remains slow and choppy
- Avoidance of reading and frustration with written tasks
Recognizing these signs early is critical to providing the right interventions before reading struggles impact confidence and motivation.
Effective Dyslexia Support Strategies for the Classroom
1. Provide Explicit, Systematic Phonics Instruction
Dyslexic students need direct instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics. A structured, sequential approach ensures they build skills step by step rather than relying on memorization.
- Focus on phoneme-grapheme mapping to connect sounds to letters
- Use decodable texts instead of leveled readers to reinforce skills
- Follow a research-backed phonics scope and sequence
2. Focus on Phonemic Awareness
Dyslexia primarily affects phonological processing, making it difficult for students to identify and manipulate sounds within words. Explicit phonemic awareness practice is essential.
Strategies:
- Have students tap out words on their fingers to connect sounds to letters.
- Use sound blending and segmentation activities daily.
3. Incorporate Multisensory Learning Techniques
Engaging multiple senses helps dyslexic students strengthen their reading and spelling skills.
- Tactile learning – Have students trace letters in sand or shaving cream while saying the sound
- Kinesthetic learning – Use arm motions or tapping to break words into syllables
- Auditory learning – Encourage students to repeat words and segment sounds aloud
These approaches activate different areas of the brain, making learning more effective and memorable.
4. Swap Sight Word Flashcards for Sound Mapping
Instead of rote memorization, use orthographic mapping to help students decode high-frequency words.
- Break the word into individual sounds (said → /s/ /e/ /d/)
- Draw sound boxes for each phoneme and have students fill them in
- Reinforce the spelling pattern by connecting it to similar words
This method strengthens word recognition while reinforcing phonics skills.
5. Provide Accommodations to Reduce Reading Frustration
Dyslexic students benefit from classroom adjustments that allow them to access learning without unnecessary barriers.
- Audiobooks – Enable students to engage with grade-level content while developing decoding skills separately
- Extra time on assessments – Helps students process text without time pressure
- Alternative response formats – Allow verbal responses instead of written assignments when appropriate
These small shifts ensure that reading struggles don’t prevent students from fully participating in learning.
6. Encourage Self-Advocacy and Growth Mindset
Students with dyslexia often experience frustration and self-doubt. Teaching them how to advocate for themselves and develop a growth mindset is key.
Strategies:
- Praise effort and persistence rather than just accuracy.In This Episode, You’ll Discover
- Help students understand what dyslexia is and how it affects their learning.
- Encourage them to ask for accommodations when needed.
In This Episode, We’ll Talk About…
- The biggest myths about dyslexia and what science actually says.
- How to use multisensory instruction to strengthen reading skills.
- Why phonemic awareness and phonics are critical for dyslexic students.
- The best accommodations and classroom strategies to help struggling readers succeed.
Bringing It All Together
Supporting students with dyslexia doesn’t require a complete classroom overhaul—it’s about using evidence-based strategies that align with how their brains learn best. With explicit phonics instruction, multisensory techniques, and the right accommodations, dyslexic students can develop the skills they need to become successful readers.
Inside The Science of Reading Formula, you’ll find step-by-step lesson plans, phonics-based teaching tools, and decoding activities designed to help struggling readers—including those with dyslexia—make real progress.
Join the Science of Reading Formula right here!
LINKS
1-hour dyslexia training on The Science of Reading Formula
Accommodations and Modifications (International Dyslexia Association)
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
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