Dyslexia tutors can help remove barriers, point out needed accommodations, and help students reach their potential. This post covers our services designed to help with this specific learning difference, concluding with a fictitious example of a reading tutor for dyslexia and online tutoring for dyslexia. Given that this learning difference is so widespread, dyslexia tutoring is a core service.
If you have any questions about dyslexia tutoring or Therapeutic Tutoring in general, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation.
Background Information
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, spell, write, and sometimes speak. It is a neurological condition that does not affect intelligence but makes it difficult for the brain to process written language. In other words, people with this learning difference have the same ability and potential as everyone else. People with dyslexia may have trouble recognizing words, decoding letter sounds, and understanding the relationship between letters and sounds. With proper interventions and accommodations, this learning difference does not have to limit possibilities and potential! We aim to be a large part of the solution with in-person and online tutoring for dyslexia.
How Dyslexia Affects Learning:
Reading Challenges – Difficulty with decoding words, reading fluency, and comprehension.
Spelling Issues – Struggles with remembering how words are spelled, even after repeated exposure.
Writing Difficulties – Trouble organizing thoughts on paper, frequent letter reversals, and difficulty with grammar.
Slow Processing Speed – It takes longer to process and respond to written or verbal information.
Difficulty with Phonemic Awareness – Struggles to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in words, making learning phonics harder.
Memory Issues – Challenges with remembering instructions, sequences, and new vocabulary.
Impact on Math (Dyscalculia) – Some individuals also struggle with number sense, remembering math facts, or word problems.
Low Confidence & Anxiety – Frustration with reading and writing tasks can lead to self-esteem issues or school-related anxiety.
Accommodations & Support:
Services like ours – see the next section!
Accommodations such as extra time on tests and assignments
Technology such as audiobooks, text-to-speech tools, speech-to-text software for writing
Self-help interventions, such as breaking down instructions into smaller steps
Whole classroom strategies such as phonics-based or multisensory learning approaches
This learning difference varies in severity, and with the right support, individuals can develop effective strategies to succeed in school and beyond.
What Dyslexia Tutors Do
We provide specialized instruction tailored to students with this learning difference, helping them improve their reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension skills. Their role goes beyond traditional services, using structured, multi-sensory, and evidence-based methods to support learning.
1. Dyslexia Tutoring Start with an Assessment
Dyslexia tutors identify strengths and weaknesses in reading, spelling, and writing.
They review past evaluations (e.g., IEPs, psychoeducational assessments).
Then, they set personalized learning goals based on student needs.
Our dyslexia tutors help students recognize and manipulate sounds in words.
They focus on letter-sound relationships, blending, and syllable division.
They use hands-on tools like letter tiles, flashcards, and tracing exercises.
4. Improve Reading Fluency and Comprehension
Our dyslexia tutors guide students through repeated reading and assisted reading exercises.
They teach visualization techniques to improve understanding.
They use graphic organizers and structured questioning for comprehension.
5. Support Spelling and Writing Skills
Our dyslexia tutors teach spelling rules and patterns explicitly.
They help with organization and sentence structure.
They encourage assistive technology (speech-to-text, spell-checkers).
6. Dyslexia Tutoring Boosts Confidence
Our dyslexia tutors provide a patient, supportive learning environment.
They celebrate progress and set achievable goals.
They use positive reinforcement and encourage self-advocacy.
7. Incorporate Assistive Technology
Our dyslexia tutors introduce audiobooks, text-to-speech apps, and dyslexia-friendly fonts.
They help students learn to use speech-to-text tools for writing.
Dyslexia Tutors and Collaboration
Aside from all of the above done directly with the student, we offer strategies parents can use at home, work with school educators to ensure consistent learning strategies, and advocate for accommodations like extra time on tests and audiobooks.
Dyslexia Tutoring Strategies
Dyslexia tutoring focuses on structured, multi-sensory, and explicit instruction tailored to the learner’s needs. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Multi-Sensory Dyslexia Tutoring
Engage multiple senses to reinforce learning:
Visual: Use color-coded letters, flashcards, and graphic organizers.
Auditory: Have students read aloud, use rhyming games, or record themselves reading.
Tactile/Kinesthetic: Use sandpaper letters, tracing, or letter tiles to form words.
2. Dyslexia Tutoring Literacy Approaches
Dyslexia tutoring follows a systematic and sequential method:
Orton-Gillingham Approach: Teaches phonics explicitly and sequentially using multisensory techniques.
Wilson Reading System: Breaks reading and spelling into structured steps with guided practice.
Lindamood-Bell (LiPS): Focuses on phonemic awareness and speech articulation.
3. Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
Teach letter-sound relationships explicitly.
Use phoneme segmentation and blending activities.
Reinforce sight words with repetition and games.
4. Decoding and Fluency Practice
Use repeated reading to build fluency.
Introduce decodable texts that match their phonics level.
Utilize paired reading (reading with a fluent reader).
These services provide positive reinforcement and celebrates small successes.
Use games and interactive learning apps (e.g., Nessy, Lexia).
Set realistic, achievable goals and track progress visually.
Reading Tutor for Dyslexia, Case Example
Name: Jake (fictional example)
Age: 8 years old
Grade: 3rd grade
Challenges:
Struggles with letter-sound recognition and blending.
Avoids reading due to frustration.
Reads below grade level and has difficulty spelling.
Difficulty remembering sight words.
Reading Tutor for Dyslexia Plan & Approach
1. Initial Assessment & Goal Setting
The reading tutor for dyslexia conducted a phonemic awareness test and a reading fluency assessment.
They identified difficulty with short vowel sounds and decoding multi-syllable words.
Then, they set a goal: Improve phonemic awareness and fluency by one reading level in 6 months.
2. Structured Literacy Instruction
The reading tutor for dyslexia used Orton-Gillingham techniques:
Multi-sensory activities (tracing letters in sand, tapping out sounds).
Systematic phonics instruction (introducing one sound pattern at a time).
Implemented Wilson Reading System lessons focusing on blending and segmenting words.
3. Multi-Sensory Learning Activities
Used magnetic letters to build words.
Played phonics-based board games.
Practiced reading aloud with finger tracking.
4. Fluency & Confidence Building
Used paired reading (reading together to model fluency).
Practiced repeated reading with controlled texts.
Encouraged audiobooks to support comprehension.
5. Writing & Spelling Support
The reading tutor for dyslexia taught spelling rules (e.g., “silent e” rule).
Used dictation exercises (Jake said a word, and he got help spelling it).
Incorporated speech-to-text software to help with writing assignments.
Results of From Working with a Reading Tutor for Dyslexia
Improved phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
Started reading early chapter books with some assistance.
Gained confidence and no longer avoided reading.
Improved spelling of common sight words.
The structured, multi-sensory approach of the reading tutor for dyslexia helped Jake make meaningful progress while keeping learning engaging and stress-free.
Online Tutoring for Dyslexia Case Example
Name: Sarah (fictional example)
Age: 14 years old
Grade: 9th grade
Challenges:
Struggles with reading comprehension and fluency.
Difficulty with spelling and written expression.
Avoids reading and feels embarrassed in class.
Low confidence in academic abilities.
Online Tutoring for Dyslexia Plan & Approach:
1. Initial Virtual Assessment & Goal Setting
Conducted an online reading fluency test via screen sharing.
Used an interactive phonemic awareness and spelling assessment.
Identified weaknesses in decoding multisyllabic words and retaining sight words.
Set a goal: Improve reading fluency by 20 words per minute and enhance written expression within 6 months.
2. Structured Literacy Instruction via Online Tutoring for Dyslexia
Used Orton-Gillingham-based digital lessons (screen annotations, letter tracing).
Taught prefixes, suffixes, and root words for decoding complex words.
Assigned Lexia Core5 and Nessy Learning activities for independent practice.
3. Multi-Sensory Learning in a Virtual Setting
Used interactive whiteboards (e.g., Jamboard) for spelling practice.
Engaged Sarah with speech-to-text software to improve writing confidence.
Utilized read-aloud software (e.g., Learning Ally, Voice Dream Reader) to support comprehension.
4. Reading Fluency & Confidence Building
Conducted paired reading in breakout rooms (Sarah read aloud and received live feedback).
Used timed reading practice to track progress and improve fluency.
Encouraged book discussions to build comprehension skills and motivation.
5. Writing & Spelling Support
Taught spelling rules explicitly using online word-sorting activities.
Used Google Docs with real-time feedback to edit written assignments together.
Integrated Grammarly and Ginger Software to support self-editing skills.
Online Tutoring for Dyslexia Progress & Results
Online tutoring for dyslexia increased reading fluency by 25 words per minute.
Improved comprehension by using visualization and annotation strategies.
Developed better spelling habits through pattern recognition.
Gained confidence and began reading for enjoyment.
This personalized, structured online tutoring for dyslexia approach allowed Sarah to improve without the pressure of in-person learning.
Summary and Our Work
We provide dyslexia tutoring to a wide range of students, from grade school through graduate school. Our services are designed for students with mild or moderate difficulties who have found their learning has been impacted by the diagnosis dispute otherwise strong skills. For some, a reading tutor for dyslexia is a perfectly tailored approach, while for others, in-person or online tutoring for dyslexia needs to be more comprehensive. If you would like more information about how our services might benefit you or your child, please contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that makes it hard for the brain to connect the letters on a page with the sounds they represent, which in turn makes reading, spelling, and sometimes speaking more difficult. According to Yale Dyslexia, it is best understood as an unexpected difficulty in reading for someone with the intelligence to be a much stronger reader, and it has no connection to overall intelligence or effort. With the right instruction, a reading tutor for dyslexia can help students build effective, lasting strategies.
What causes dyslexia, and is it genetic?
Dyslexia happens when the brain areas responsible for connecting sounds to written letters develop or function somewhat differently, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s often genetic and tends to run in families, though not everyone with a family history develops it. It isn’t caused by poor teaching, low motivation, or vision problems. Dyslexia commonly occurs alongside ADHD, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, which is one reason a thorough evaluation matters before designing a tutoring plan.
What are the signs of dyslexia at different ages?
In preschoolers, signs often include trouble recognizing letters or rhyming words; in kindergarten and first grade, children may struggle to sound out simple words or remember letters despite practice. Older children may avoid reading tasks or feel anxious before school, according to the Cleveland Clinic, while teens and adults often read slowly, need to reread text, or feel embarrassed reading aloud. Because signs shift with age, an evaluation tailored to your child’s or your own current stage is the most reliable next step.
Does dyslexia affect intelligence?
No. Dyslexia is unrelated to a person’s overall intelligence; in fact, Yale Dyslexia describes it as an unexpected difficulty in reading precisely because it occurs in people who have the intelligence to be much stronger readers, and notes that many people with dyslexia are fast, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills. The challenge lies specifically in how the brain processes written language, not in a student’s capability, which is why targeted, structured instruction rather than more general tutoring tends to make the biggest difference.
What teaching methods work best for dyslexia?
Structured literacy approaches like Orton-Gillingham, the Wilson Reading System, and Lindamood-Bell are widely considered the gold standard, teaching phonics explicitly and sequentially using multisensory techniques that engage sight, sound, and touch together. The Cleveland Clinic notes that specialized instruction combining these senses can meaningfully strengthen reading and spelling skills. Our dyslexia tutors are trained in these evidence-based methods and adapt them to each student’s specific reading profile.
How does therapeutic dyslexia tutoring differ from a standard reading tutor?
A standard reading tutor typically reviews classroom material and assigned books. Therapeutic dyslexia tutoring goes further, combining structured literacy instruction with strategies to manage the frustration, avoidance, and anxiety that often build up after years of reading being harder than it looks for everyone else. Because the same professional is trained in both education and psychology, similar to our broader cognitive educational therapy approach, students get consistent support for both the skill and the confidence to use it.
Can dyslexia tutoring help with the anxiety around reading?
Yes. The Cleveland Clinic notes that ongoing frustration with reading can lead to school avoidance, social difficulty, and anxiety over time, so managing the emotional side of dyslexia is a real part of treatment, not an afterthought. Our therapeutic tutors build confidence through paired reading, achievable goals, and a supportive, low-pressure environment, while directly addressing avoidance and embarrassment. Explore our anxiety tutoring services for more on this combined approach.
Is dyslexia tutoring available online, and how do I get started?
Yes, our online tutoring for dyslexia uses screen-shared structured literacy lessons, interactive apps, and speech-to-text tools, and is available nationwide for students of any age, including college students and adult learners. Getting started begins with a free consultation to discuss reading history and current challenges, followed by an assessment and an individualized plan. Contact us or schedule a consultation to see if our approach is the right fit.
Dr. Alan Jacobson, Psy.D., MBAFounder and Clinical Director
Dr. Alan S. Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, is a Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Foresight Psychological Institute. He is also the Founder and Clinical Director of Therapeutic Tutoring, a specialized educational therapy service integrating psychological expertise with structured academic intervention. With over 20 years of clinical experience, he oversees evidence-based cognitive educational therapy and individualized tutoring for students and adults with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, executive functioning challenges, and other learning disabilities. His work bridges the gap between traditional tutoring and clinically informed educational therapy services. This approach emphasizes durable skill development, executive functioning growth, and restored academic confidence — not just short-term grade improvement.
Therapeutic tutoring provides a powerful, innovative, and effective combination for learners of all ages. Our talented and highly qualified therapeutic tutors help students reach their potential, discover new possibilities, and enjoy learning again.
Therapeutic Tutors
We carefully vet each professional we credential to ensure they meet high standards for education, experience, and training as tutors and therapists. We’d be happy to schedule a consultation to review your credentials and what it would take to become certified.
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Alan Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of the Foresight Psychological Institute, the parent company of Therapeutic Tutoring.
