Homeschooling a child with dyslexia is a wild, beautiful ride—equal parts rewarding and exhausting. It’s filled with tiny victories, surprising detours, and a lot of self-doubt if we’re being honest. You might head into it thinking a structured curriculum and some phonics flashcards will do the trick… but pretty quickly you learn there’s a whole lot more to it.
Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches, here are 25 things no one really tells you about homeschooling a child with dyslexia—but you’ll probably nod your head to every single one.
1. Phonics Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
Explicit, systematic phonics instruction is non-negotiable. And not just any program will do. You’ll likely become an Orton-Gillingham evangelist by week two.
2. It Takes Longer (That’s Not a Failure)
Dyslexic learners often need more time to process, practice, and master skills. That doesn’t mean they’re behind—it means they’re learning differently.
3. Reading Aloud to Them is Still Learning
Even if they can’t read independently yet, you’re growing vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of story every time you read aloud. That counts. Big time.
4. Their Self-Esteem Might Need More Attention Than Their Reading Level
The emotional weight of struggling to read can hit hard. Building confidence is just as important as decoding words.
5. You’ll Question Yourself Constantly
Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Is this the right program? Welcome to the club. Doubt shows up, but you learn to keep going anyway.
6. Progress Isn’t Linear
Some days will feel like magic. Others like molasses. Celebrate the upward trend, not just the pace.
7. Dyslexia Often Comes with Friends
Many dyslexic kids also have ADHD, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, or other learning differences. Be ready to pivot, adapt, and advocate.
8. Teaching Writing Might Feel Harder Than Teaching Reading
Spelling, grammar, organizing ideas—it can be a lot. Tools like dictation, sentence frames, and scribing can help lighten the load.
9. Audiobooks Are Lifesavers (and Not Cheating)
Say it with me: listening to audiobooks is real reading. They give access to rich language, complex stories, and grade-level content.
10. You’ll Learn to Spot Overwhelm Before It Explodes
Frustration builds fast when the brain is working overtime. You’ll get good at seeing it coming and making space for a break.
11. Your Homeschool Will Not Look Like Anyone Else’s
And it shouldn’t. Your child’s learning path is uniquely theirs. Comparison only adds pressure that no one needs.
12. You May Need to Deprogram Public School Expectations
Let go of timelines, grade levels, and test anxiety. Focus on connection and progress, not performance.
13. Dyslexic Learners Can Be Brilliant Thinkers
They often shine in big-picture thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Don’t let their reading struggles define their intelligence.
14. You’ll Learn More About the English Language Than You Ever Wanted To
Morphology, etymology, phonemes—you’ll geek out over why sign has a silent g and how magic e works.
15. Support Groups Can Save Your Sanity
Whether online or in-person, connecting with other dyslexia homeschooling parents helps you feel seen and supported.
16. You’ll Find Strengths in Unexpected Places
Maybe your child’s a gifted storyteller, an artistic genius, or a math whiz. Dyslexia doesn’t mean lack of brilliance—it just shows up differently.
17. Some Days, You’ll Both Cry
This work is personal. And hard. Give yourself (and your child) room to feel it, regroup, and keep going.
18. There Will Be Wins That No One Else Sees—But You’ll Feel Them Deeply
That first time they read a full sentence out loud? It’s magic. You’ll carry it with you forever.
19. Assistive Technology is Your Friend
Text-to-speech, dictation tools, color overlays, audiobooks—don’t wait to start using them. They’re game-changers.
20. Burnout is Real—Build in Breaks
Plan for mental health days. Play days. Nature days. Breaks help everyone recharge and show up better.
21. You’ll Become Your Child’s Fiercest Advocate
In conversations with therapists, tutors, family, or future schools—you’ll speak up because you know your child best.
22. You’ll Redefine What “Success” Means
It’s not about reading at grade level by a certain age. It’s about confidence, independence, and finding joy in learning.
23. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Be Effective
You just need to be willing to learn, adapt, and love your kid through the process. That’s more powerful than any credential.
24. You’ll Start Spotting Dyslexia in Other Kids
Once you know what to look for, you’ll see it everywhere—and you’ll want to tell every parent, teacher, and librarian you know.
25. You’re Doing Something Amazing
It might feel messy and slow and hard some days, but you’re giving your child something incredibly rare: the chance to learn in a way that honors who they are.
Your Child’s Path in Your Child’s Time
Homeschooling a child with dyslexia isn’t the easiest path—but it can be one of the most meaningful. The connection you build, the confidence you nurture, and the skills you unlock will ripple far beyond the classroom.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep showing up, one imperfect, intentional day at a time.
Brandi Jordan is a former classroom teacher turned homeschooler. She’s also a certified youth and adult yoga instructor, personal trainer, and youth exercise specialist. When not creating things for her sites, she can be found hanging out with her three kids, hubby, and a menagerie of pets.
