Top Dyslexia Reading Programs for Kids: A Review of What Works

Starting treatment for dyslexia can be both an exciting endeavor and a daunting task for students and families. That’s why it is so important to put your trust in a tried and true reading program that has proven to be successful. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities; students who struggle with reading and writing deserve the right kind of support to help them with skills like comprehension and fluency. There are so many approaches and methodologies when it comes to help for dyslexia, but dyslexia therapy has truly emerged as one of the most powerful ways to empower students. Read on to learn about the top dyslexia reading programs for kids. 

Evidence-based programs are effective. When it comes to finding the right programs to use for your student with dyslexia, you will want to choose a program that has been tested and researched. The best reading programs are grounded in scientific research; the science of reading is foundational for students’ literacy achievement. At Dyslexia on Demand, we use an evidence-based curriculum that has been specifically created for learners with dyslexia and language disorders. 

Structure is key. Dyslexia is a disorder that stems from language processing issues in the brain. When dyslexia reading programs break down language into smaller, structured parts like sounds, syllables, patterns, and conventions, it helps to build knowledge, skills, and strength. The reading program that is primarily used at Dyslexia on Demand is a comprehensive solution that addresses all the areas of need including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. A structured literacy program focuses on components like phonology, syntax, semantics, sound-symbol association, morphology, and orthography. As parents, you don’t have to be skilled in all of these areas; the experts at Dyslexia on Demand can help your child with mastering language skills and create new neural pathways in their brain. 

A closer look at reading programs: Families will find several different options available when it comes to selecting the right dyslexia reading program for their child. It can be helpful to take note of a few different programs, but there is a clear gold standard for choosing the best one. 

• • Orton-Gillingham: This isn’t actually a program but a methodology One of the leading programs for students with dyslexia, Orton-Gillingham, is a highly effective reading program. It is a diagnostic, direct, explicit, multisensory, sequential, structured, and prescriptive approach to literacy, reading, writing, and spelling. Orton-Gillingham programs engage multiple senses and use a structured, systematic approach that follows a sequential progression. These reading programs can be tailored to individual needs. The researched-based foundations of Orton-Gillingham are associated with long-term gains for students’ reading and writing abilities. When looking for an Orton-Gillingham tutor, verify the tutor is certified through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.

• Basic Language Skills by Neuhaus Education Center: Basic Language Skills (BLS) is a comprehensive and intensive structured literacy program that meets all the criteria for an evidence-based dyslexia program that will result in long-term success. Neuhaus Education Center also has many excellent programs to work on targeted language skills, such as spelling and comprehension. You can learn more about their programs on the Neuhaus Education site.
• Dyslexia programs developed by Scottish Rite for Children. The Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders has developed a wide array of evidence-based curriculum that is tailored to students with dyslexia of various ages and stages. The program that is most often implemented through Dyslexia on Demand is called Take Flight. It’s a therapeutic curriculum for dyslexia that can work for students from mid-first grade to adult. Take Flight, an Orton Gillingham-based program, represents the gold standard of dyslexia reading programs. The team at Dyslexia on Demand can individualize this curriculum according to students’ needs. The program can take an average of about two years to complete. Students usually work for 4 hours per week, one-on-one with a Certified Academic Language Therapist. Build, the precursor program to Take Flight, is used for early intervention (students ages 5-7) to build letter recognition, sight word reading, and foundational phonological awareness skills. For high school and adult students, the Jet program offers an accelerated approach to the Take Flight curriculum to allow all skills to be explicitly taught over the course of one year, as well as incorporate higher-level vocabulary and comprehension selections.

In addition to the what behind each program, it is also important to identify the who behind the curriculum to ensure a qualified interventionist with proper training is delivering the instruction. Also, it is important to consider the elements behind dyslexia intervention to ensure your child’s program meets the mark.

Find a CALT. Certified Academic Language Therapists—also known as CALTs—are highly trained therapists who complete a rigorous education and certification process. Many evidence-based programs can only be utilized by a CALT due to the extensive prescriptive and diagnostic nature of instruction required for effectiveness. At Dyslexia on Demand, we use CALTs exclusively.  

Multisensory is a must. The importance of engaging multiple senses in dyslexia reading programs is undeniable. For the virtual sessions at Dyslexia on Demand, students and CALTs employ the use of tactile materials, an interactive whiteboard, and different camera angles to achieve the best results. 

Early intervention is possible. When it comes to dealing with dyslexia, some families are ready to help students as soon as they have a diagnosis. Students as young as kindergarten or 1st grade can work on an early intervention program called Build at Dyslexia on Demand. This systematic, cumulative, multisensory approach can be a game changer for kindergarteners and first graders who are struggling with reading. 

Convenience and consistency can lead to success. Dyslexia on Demand is the best available option for families who want the best dyslexia help. The expertise of CALTs paired with individualized, therapeutic programming is so powerful that it sets Dyslexia on Demand apart. Sessions take place online at consistent times, which produces great results. 

Are you ready to learn more about Dyslexia on Demand? Contact us by phone at 888-292-3906, or head to our website to discover the power of dyslexia therapy.