Dyslexia Support: What Really Matters for Students
Every teacher has seen it… the student who works hard but still struggles with reading, writing, or spelling.
Too often, these students are misunderstood, mislabeled, or left behind. Dyslexia is not rare—it impacts 5–20% of students, yet schools and engaged parents continue to wrestle with how to effectively support it
So what actually matters when it comes to helping students with dyslexia?
Here are 4 ideas and then a practical step you can take to make it a reality.
1. Translate Research Into Practice
We know more about dyslexia than ever before. Decades of research confirm it is a neurobiological difference with specific challenges in phonological processing, word recognition, and fluency. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. Teachers need usable tools that connect the science to the classroom. Without that bridge, students are left waiting while schools debate.
2. Focus on Both Skills and Confidence
Dyslexia impacts decoding and fluency—but it also affects self-esteem and motivation. The right interventions (like Repeated Reading or Lightning Cards) build academic growth. Just as important is creating a classroom culture where mistakes are seen as part of learning, not proof of failure. Both skill and confidence must grow together.
3. Measure What Matters
It’s not enough to “hope” interventions work. Curriculum-Based Measures (CBMs) give teachers a quick, reliable way to track progress in reading and writing. These measures allow schools to set goals, monitor growth, and make instruction responsive—all while avoiding “ed-speak” and focusing on student outcomes.
4. Build Inclusive Learning Environments
Labels don’t teach kids. Learning environments do. Shifting from “What’s wrong with this child?” to “How can I design a space where they can succeed?” changes the game. This is the heart of universal best practices—approaches that help all students, not just those with a diagnosis.
Dive Deeper
If this resonates with you, I’ve built The Dyslexia Playbook to give educators and engaged parents a deeper dive into these principles—plus hands-on strategies and evidence-based tools that actually work in classrooms.
Explore The Dyslexia Playbook Training HERE.
