Last updated: January 11, 2026
Introduction
Every October, we mark Dyslexia Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on one of the most common learning differences. Dyslexia affects about 1 in 5 people, which means it touches countless classrooms and families.
This year feels especially meaningful for me. It’s my very first Dyslexia Awareness Month as a Certified Orton-Gillingham Practitioner and Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. Over the past year, Structured Literacy and dyslexia have grown incredibly close to my heart. I’ve seen firsthand how the right instruction can transform frustration into confidence, and how kids who once doubted themselves can discover they are capable readers and writers.
In this post, I’ll walk you through what dyslexia really is (and what it isn’t), the signs parents and teachers should look for, and the supports that truly make a difference. My hope is that it helps families and educators feel more informed, more empowered, and more hopeful—because with the right support, every child can succeed.
What Dyslexia Is (and Isn’t)
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, but it’s still widely misunderstood. Simply put, dyslexia affects how the brain processes written language, making reading, spelling, and sometimes writing more challenging. It’s not about intelligence, effort, or motivation—many students with dyslexia are incredibly bright, creative thinkers.
Here’s something I wish more teachers felt confident about: they can recognize dyslexia in their own classrooms and have the tools to provide instruction that meets their students’ unique learning needs. Structured Literacy—or the Orton-Gillingham approach—is an evidence-based method that does exactly that. And here’s the amazing part: it benefits all learners, not just students with dyslexia. Every child in your classroom can gain from explicit, systematic, multisensory instruction.
I’ve seen this in action firsthand. I think back to my practicum student, who joined me as a second grader with almost no phonics skills. We truly started from the bottom, but over just under two years, the transformation has been incredible. We’ve moved from foundational phonics work all the way to reading novels together and exploring Latin roots and morphology. Watching her read with confidence now—and seeing her joy in discovering words independently—is exactly why this work has become so close to my heart.
Signs of Dyslexia by Age
Dyslexia can show up differently depending on a child’s age—and knowing what to look for makes a huge difference. Based on my experience working with students, here’s a breakdown that’s easy to reference for both parents and teachers:
Preschool / Early Childhood (Ages 4–6)
- Difficulty learning letter names and sounds
- Trouble recognizing rhymes or remembering simple nursery rhymes
- Struggles with sequencing songs or stories
- Avoidance of activities involving letters or writing
Even at this age, early intervention is key. Teachers noticing these signs can introduce structured literacy supports early, and parents can reinforce letter-sound connections at home in playful ways.
Elementary Years (Ages 6–10)
- Slow, effortful, or inaccurate reading
- Frequent spelling errors, even in common words
- Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words
- Trouble remembering instructions or sequences (like days of the week or math facts)
- Signs of frustration or anxiety around reading and writing tasks
In my tutoring practice, I’ve seen the difference early structured literacy makes. Students who start with very minimal phonics skills can, with consistent, targeted instruction, progress to reading novels and tackling more complex word structures within a couple of years. That kind of growth is empowering for both students and teachers.
Older Students (Ages 10+)
- Reading avoidance or fatigue
- Spelling and writing challenges persist
- Strong oral skills, but difficulty expressing thoughts in writing
- Exceptional creativity, problem-solving, or “big-picture” thinking
At this stage, it’s never too late. Structured literacy can still close gaps and build confidence. I often see older students light up when they finally understand a pattern in words or can decode a tricky passage—moments that completely shift their relationship with reading.
What Works: Evidence-Based Support
If you’re wondering what really helps kids who struggle with reading, the answer is structured, explicit instruction—what we call Structured Literacy. At its core, it’s about teaching reading in a clear, step-by-step way, showing exactly how letters, sounds, and words work together. Nothing is left to guesswork, which is especially important for kids with dyslexia—but here’s the thing: these strategies benefit all learners, not just those with reading difficulties.
One of the most well-known ways to deliver Structured Literacy is the Orton-Gillingham approach. It’s highly personalized, and it’s multisensory—meaning kids don’t just see and hear the letters, they also touch, move, and say them. This might look like tracing a letter in sand while saying its sound aloud, or tapping out syllables with their fingers. Engaging multiple senses like this helps the brain make strong, lasting connections, making reading feel more concrete and less frustrating.
Structured Literacy is also explicit, systematic, and individualized—every skill is taught directly, in a logical sequence, and at a pace that matches your child’s needs. (Imagine a diagram showing: Structured Literacy = Explicit + Systematic + Multisensory + Individualized.) This combination is what makes it so powerful—and why it works.
How to Support Your Child at Home or in the Classroom
The good news is, you don’t need to be a reading specialist to help your child—or your students—succeed. Small, intentional steps can make a big difference.
At home, reading aloud together every day is a simple but powerful tool. Pause to talk about words, letters, and sounds. Ask questions like, “What sound do you hear at the beginning of this word?” or “Can you find the part that looks like ‘-ing’?” These small moments mirror the structured approach used in tutoring and reinforce skills naturally.
In the classroom, structured routines and multisensory activities make learning stick. Teachers can use letter tiles, sand trays, or finger-tapping to help students connect letters and sounds. Breaking lessons into clear, manageable steps and giving immediate feedback ensures that no child is left guessing.
The key is consistency and encouragement. Celebrate effort as much as accuracy, and remember that every child benefits from these strategies, not just those with dyslexia. Over time, these small, steady supports build confidence and help reading—and learning in general—feel less like a struggle and more like a skill your child can master.
Encouragement and Next Steps
Supporting a child who struggles with reading can feel overwhelming at times—but it doesn’t have to be. With structured, explicit, multisensory approaches like Orton-Gillingham, children gain the tools they need to succeed, and parents gain confidence in helping them along the way.
Every child learns differently, and finding the right strategies early can make a lasting difference. If you’ve noticed your child struggling with reading, spelling, or writing—or if you just want to give them a strong foundation—Orton-Gillingham tutoring offers individualized support that works.
I work with students one-on-one to provide structured, multisensory instruction that meets each child’s unique needs. Together, we can help your child build reading skills and confidence, so learning becomes a source of pride, not frustration.
If you’re ready to explore how OG tutoring can help your child thrive, send me a message today—let’s discover the strategies that make reading click.
