A Guide to Homeschooling a Child with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, write, and spell. It is not a result of a lack of intelligence or motivation, but rather a difference in the way the brain processes written language. Homeschooling with dyslexia can be a great way to give students the individual attention and education they need to be successful.
Types of Dyslexia
There is a common misconception that dyslexia is simply when the letters in words appear to be jumbled up on a page. However, dyslexia is not quite this simple! It can also have different presentations. When homeschooling with online dyslexia programs, it can be helpful to understand the type of Dyslexia your student has.
- Stealth dyslexia: Stealth dyslexia is a term used to describe individuals who have difficulty with phonics and decoding, despite having above average reading comprehension. Students with this presentation are often overlooked when considering a dyslexia diagnosis.
- Surface dyslexia: Surface dyslexia refers to challenges with words that are pronounced differently than they are spelled. This can also result in readers struggling to remember the “shape” of a word after seeing it.
- Phonological dyslexia: Phonological dyslexia is a type of dyslexia characterized by difficulty manipulating the sounds in words. This results in challenges with spelling and word decoding.
- Double deficit dyslexia: Double deficit dyslexia refers to an individual who experiences more than one type of dyslexia.
- Rapid Automatic Naming Dyslexia: Rapid Automatic Naming Dyslexia refers to difficulty in quickly recognizing and naming letters, which slows down the reading process and affects reading fluency.
How Does Dyslexia Affect Learning?
Dyslexia affects a person’s ability to process and understand written language. This can make reading, writing, and spelling difficult. Students with dyslexia may also struggle with phonological awareness, decoding, and fluency. These difficulties can impact their overall academic performance.
However, with appropriate instruction and accommodations, individuals with dyslexia can learn to read, write, and spell at a high level. Students with dyslexia can be successful throughout their academic career!
Identifying and understanding the traits of dyslexia can help you find the best homeschool curriculum for dyslexia for your student. Dyslexic learners often need support with…
- Recognizing words, sounding out words, and understanding what is read
- Spelling and writing
- Identifying and manipulating sounds in words
- Breaking down words into their individual sounds
- Reading fluently and accurately
- Understanding what is read
- Remembering facts, sequences, or lists
- Understanding mathematical operations and concepts
It’s worth noting that some of these traits may also be present in other learning and attention diagnoses. It is important to have a professional assessment to accurately identify a child’s disability.
Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculum for Dyslexia
A dyslexia homeschool curriculum can be a great option as it allows for an individualized and flexible learning environment. Home educators can work with their child to create a customized curriculum that is tailored to their specific needs and learning style.
When looking for the best homeschool curriculum for dyslexia, look for a program that:
- Uses a multisensory approach to help students understand and retain information
- Provides a structured, systematic curriculum
- Incorporates assistive technology, like text-to-speech technology
- Allows for modifications to the learning environment, such as extra time for assignments or the use of a calculator
- Helps learners achieve measurable goals and can be used to track their progress
- Incorporates hands-on activities
Miacademy’s flexible accredited curriculum is perfect for the differentiation needed to create a successful learning environment for students homeschooling with dyslexia. We also provide modifications and accommodations that can support students homeschooling with dyslexia. Plus, our customizable curriculum helps homeschooling families meet each child’s unique needs!
How Miacademy Can Help Students Homeschooling with Dyslexia
Miacademy is an online learning platform that offers a comprehensive learning program. With Miacademy’s online homeschool curriculum, your student can work at their own pace. Our curriculum is designed to be accessible and appropriate for all students, including those with learning disabilities.
Miacademy’s homeschool curriculum for dyslexia and MiaPrep’s online high school curriculum allow for the flexibility and individual attention that allow students of all ages to succeed. Our online language arts program is the perfect solution for a homeschool reading curriculum for dyslexia, providing a research-based curriculum that builds reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills.
If you have any questions about how Miacademy can support your child with dyslexia on their reading journey, reach out to our amazing customer service team! We’d be happy to help you find the best resources to support your child.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can dyslexic students be successful academically?
Yes, dyslexic students can be successful academically! With appropriate instruction and accommodations, individuals with dyslexia can learn to read, write, and spell at a high level.
How do dyslexic students learn best?
Dyslexic students have unique learning needs that require a tailored approach to education. One of the most effective ways to teach these students is through a multisensory approach. Additionally, a structured, systematic curriculum can help dyslexic students develop their reading skills. Finally, assistive technology and accommodations can be very helpful for students with dyslexia.