The Science of Reading and Dyslexia: What Every Parent and Teacher Needs to Know
Reading is not a natural process. Unlike learning to talk, which happens organically for most children, learning to read requires explicit instruction. And for children with dyslexia, that instruction needs to be even more structured, systematic, and based on decades of research about how the brain processes written language. This is where the Science of Reading comes in. But despite all the research we have, too many schools are still using methods that don’t align with what we know works for struggling readers, especially those with dyslexia.
What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is a body of research from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and education that explains how people learn to read. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about phonics, though phonics is a crucial piece. It also includes phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Research has shown that all children, including those with dyslexia, benefit from explicit, systematic instruction in these areas.
When schools implement programs based on the Science of Reading, they see dramatic improvements in literacy. For example, in Mississippi, a state once ranked near the bottom in reading scores, fourth-grade reading scores jumped significantly after the state implemented Science of Reading-based policies. Mississippi’s success story is proof that structured literacy instruction works.
Dyslexia and the Science of Reading
Dyslexia is a neurobiological condition that affects a person’s ability to read, spell, and decode words. It is not a reflection of intelligence or effort. Students with dyslexia struggle with phonemic awareness (the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in words), which makes decoding new words extremely difficult. The Science of Reading aligns perfectly with the needs of dyslexic students because it emphasizes phonics, structured literacy, and multi-sensory instruction.
Unfortunately, many schools still rely on methods rooted in Balanced Literacy, an approach that encourages guessing strategies, memorization, and context clues instead of direct phonics instruction. This method does a disservice to all students but is particularly harmful to those with dyslexia. Research has shown that structured literacy, the approach aligned with the Science of Reading, is the best way to teach reading to all students, but especially to those with dyslexia. Programs based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, for example, provide the kind of explicit instruction dyslexic students need to succeed. This article explains why structured literacy is essential for struggling readers.
Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Dyslexia
If a child is struggling with reading, they need an approach that is grounded in science, not guesswork. Effective reading instruction for dyslexic students should include:
1. Phonemic Awareness Instruction
- Teaching students how to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in words.
- Engaging in activities that focus on blending, segmenting, and rhyming.
2. Systematic Phonics Instruction
- Explicitly teaching letter-sound relationships.
- Using decodable books that reinforce phonics patterns in a controlled way.
- Resources like these provide structured decodable texts that align with research-based instruction.
3. Fluency Practice
- Encouraging repeated readings of texts to develop automaticity.
- Using audiobooks to model fluent reading.
4. Vocabulary Development
- Explicitly teaching word meanings.
- Using visual supports and morphology instruction (breaking down words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes).
5. Reading Comprehension Strategies
- Teaching students how to summarize, ask questions, and make inferences.
- Using graphic organizers to help structure their thinking.
Why Decodable Books Matter
One of the biggest mistakes schools make is giving struggling readers books that are too difficult for them. Leveled readers, often used in Balanced Literacy classrooms, contain too many words that students have not been explicitly taught to decode. This forces children to rely on pictures, guessing, and memorization—strategies that do not build real reading skills.
Decodable books, on the other hand, align with a phonics scope and sequence, allowing students to apply the skills they’ve learned. Research shows that when struggling readers use decodable books, they make much greater gains in literacy. Check out this guide to find high-quality decodable texts.
Supporting a Dyslexic Child at Home
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s literacy development. If your child has dyslexia, here are some things you can do to help:
- Read aloud daily. This builds vocabulary and comprehension while allowing your child to enjoy books without the stress of decoding.
- Use audiobooks. Listening to books while following along with the text can improve fluency and comprehension.
- Practice phonemic awareness activities. Play word games, rhyming games, and sound-matching activities.
- Use multi-sensory learning techniques. Have your child trace letters in sand, use magnetic letters, or tap out syllables.
- Advocate for structured literacy at school. If your child’s school is using Balanced Literacy, ask about Science of Reading-based instruction and interventions.
The Path Forward
The good news is that we know how to help struggling readers. The Science of Reading provides a clear roadmap to literacy success, and when schools follow it, students—including those with dyslexia—thrive. But there’s still a long way to go. Too many teacher training programs do not equip educators with the knowledge they need to teach reading effectively. Parents and educators must work together to push for research-based instruction in schools.
If your child is struggling with reading, don’t wait. Seek out structured literacy programs, advocate for Science of Reading instruction, and most importantly, celebrate every small victory along the way. Learning to read is a journey, but with the right support, every child can succeed.