Inside: A learning disability doesn’t mean your child has to be put in school. Discover how to overcome reading difficulties when you’re homeschooling with these resources and solutions.
When you discover your child has a reading problem, the first thing you want is answers. You’re confused and feel helpless as to how to help him, especially as a homeschool parent. I’ve been there! I’ve put together this post on how to overcome reading difficulties to provide you with solutions that can help.
I’ll share some places to find information and resources to get answers to your questions, as well as give you strategies and materials that can work with your child.
*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Unexpected Homeschooler may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclosure policy in the menu.
What Are the Difficulties in Reading?
Unfortunately, when you are dealing with a child who is struggling to read, there is no simple diagnosis. There are many different reasons your child may not be able to read as easily as his peers. Below is a short list of the types of reading disabilities:
- Dyslexia
- Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP)
- Language Processing Disorder
- Non-verbal Learning Disabilities
- Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
I have written a comprehensive article called What Are Reading Difficulties | How to Identify If Your Child Has One that describes each of these in detail, along with their symptoms.
Can I Teach a Child with a Reading Disability?
You might wonder how you can teach a child with a reading problem. You can do it! If you’ve followed me for a while now, you probably know I have a master’s degree in special education, and you’re probably think that’s why I was able to help my son.
Well, let me tell you a little story. I wasn’t the one that caught his dyslexia. Nope! I knew something was wrong, but it wasn’t until I took him to a behavioral optometrist that he was diagnosed.
Dyslexia wasn’t something that was explicitly taught while I was studying for my master’s degree. I hope that’s changed since then, but something tells me it probably hasn’t. They lumped all learning disabilities into one category, and that’s not how it works. Each one has its own issues and needs to be addressed differently.
There’s always the option to seek outside help, but you don’t have to put your child into the school system to help him. In fact, I’m glad mine wasn’t. I taught in the school system, and I know what it’s like. I’m not badmouthing teachers. There a lot of wonderful ones and some of them are my best friends. I am referring to the system itself.
There are a lot of children in each classroom. Many of them have different learning and/or behavioral issues. There’s no way a teacher can give these children the proper time and attention they need.
In addition, they’re taught in a traditional method, which is not the best learning style for these children to succeed. Their brains function differently. This isn’t bad, just different.
Think of adults in general. None of us are alike, and we all have different ways of doing things and gaining information. Why would children be any different? Yet the school system treats them all the same. This is not effective, just efficient.
The alternative to this oversized classroom approach is going to the special education room (which has its place in certain cases). Again, I’ve known some amazing special education teachers, but I don’t believe the children with learning disabilities need to be separated and embarrassed by having to go to a different room during the day to learn.
Even if they’re included all the time, the other students know they get special education services. You can tell they think very poorly of themselves by the way they look and act. This has a massive effect on their self-esteem, which is already low.
I can’t imagine the humiliation these children experience when they feel so different from a whole classroom of children just because they aren’t being taught with the right methods. It’s not necessary.
Children with reading disabilities can learn. With the proper strategies to help their brain process information the correct way, they can adapt and overcome these obstacles. Most can and do go on to be successful adults with the right approach.
Reading Problems and Solutions
If you suspect your child has a reading problem, you need to find some answers to make the right decisions, along with solutions that work. If you’re uncertain, fill out the form at the bottom of the page to get my Reading Difficulties Checklist to help you pinpoint a reading disability.
This’s why I’ve put together this list of resources on how to help a child struggling with reading that will guide you in the right direction. I’ve split them into categories to make it easier to find what you are looking for.
Resources on How to Overcome Reading Difficulties
Books
Can I tell you about Auditory Processing Disorder?: A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals
When the Brain Can’t Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder
Helping a Child with Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger’s Disorder: A Parent’s Guide
Developing Ocular Motor and Visual Perceptual Skills: An Activity Workbook
The Gift of Dyslexia Bundle (I highly recommend this!)
This bundle contains:
- The Gift of Dyslexia Book
- CD with 9 PDF Workbooks for brain games-You can also create a 2D/Pop-up Book and 3-D Alphabet
- Reading Strips (12 PACK)-These are the color-coded strips that really help a child with dyslexia when reading.
- Finger Spacers
The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain
Learn to Read for Kids with Dyslexia: 101 Games and Activities to Teach Your Child to Read
Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level
Websites
Homeschooling with Special Needs
What Are the Qualifications For Homeschooling A Child With Special Needs?
You CAN Homeschool Your Special Needs Child
Learning Disabilities
Dianne Craft is a fantastic resource! I used The Brain Integration Therapy Manual with two of my children with excellent results! Her products are pricey but worth it! The exercises you do from the manual will be time-consuming for a few months, but it will pay off in the end. She did not have most of the other products when my son was little, and they would have been beneficial.
Behavioral Optometrist-A behavioral or functional optometrist is a great place to start if you think your child has a reading problem. This is not a typical eye doctor. In addition to a regular eye exam, your child will be tested for tracking issues, dyslexia and more. This is how my son was diagnosed. This article explains the importance of having your child’s eyes checked by one of these doctors and how it can pinpoint very specific problems.
Reading Resource– Helping Struggling Readers & Defeating Dyslexia
LDonline– This is a general guide for learning disabilities and ADHD.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children
My Learning Disability: A Love Story | Chandni Kazi | TEDxBerkeley- This a great 6-minute video about a girl who has a reading disorder but didn’t know it until she was in college. She explains how it affected her life and how much better everything was once she realized she had a learning disability and was able to learn things in the way her brain processed information.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia Assist– Helpful dyslexia resources for parents and books to read aloud with your child to explain dyslexia.
Hampstead and Frognal Tutors– This site has comprehensive information and helpful strategies. It also includes tests, apps, and the latest technology to help Dyslexia sufferers better manage reading and writing.
37 Signs and symptoms of Dyslexia
12 Tips to Help Kids With Dyslexia Learn Sight Words
How to Teach Kids With Dyslexia to Read
Pinterest Board with Dyslexia Ideas and Activities
Davis Dyslexia Correction: A Brief Explanation– This is a great article explaining the “mind’s eye” method used by Ronald David, author of The Gift of Dyslexia, which I have referenced in the above book section.
Doctor Dyslexia Dude! This is a graphic novel about an African-American boy who is also a colorful superhero with dyslexia. It was witten by Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson based on his experiences growing up with dyslexia. This would be a great book to read to your child.
Auditory Processing Disorders
How to identify an auditory processing disorder
Everything you need to know about an auditory processing disorder
Self-test to help determine if your child has an auditory processing disorder
Explanation of what an auditory processing disorder is
How to treat an auditory processing disorder
Video explaining an auditory processing disorder
Activities on Pinterest for an Auditory Processing Disorder
Language Processing Disorders
What is a language processing disorder?
Self-test to help determine if your child has a language processing disorder
How to improve a child’s language processing disorder
Video about diagnosing and treating a language processing disorder
Video explaining a language processing disorder
Activities on Pinterest for a Language Processing Disorder
Non-verbal Learning Disabilities
Understand what a non-verbal learning disability is
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: An Overview
Strategies for Parenting a Child with NLD
LD Online- Non-verbal Disabilities
Homeschooling a Struggling Learner: Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
Pinterest Board on Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficits
Understanding Visual Processing Issues
Visual Motor Integration-OT Mom Learning Activities
Visual Processing and How it Affects Learning
Pinterest Board with Visual Motor/Visual Perceptual Activities
ADHD
Learning Styles and Teaching Methods
Identifying Your Child’s Learning Style -Learning styles play a large role in how your child takes in information. Read this article to identify which way your child learns best.
Different Types of Teaching Methods– Different teaching methods can also affect how your child learns. Find out the different types there are and which would cater to your child.
Curriculum/ Programs
Homeschooling with Dyslexia Course
Fluency- Bonnie Terry Reading– This is an excellent program I used with my son.
Visualizing and Verbalizing® Kit for Cognitive Development, Comprehension, & Thinking. This is another excellent program I used with my son! This link is for the whole kit, but they also sell the pieces individually. This is not a cheap program, but it does work.
Stevenson Learning– This is an amazing reading program! I used it with my son after trying four other programs. This is the one that made things click for him! If you have any questions as to which level to start with, don’t hesitate to call their 800 number listed on the site. More than likely you will speak directly with the creator of the program (like I did). He is very helpful and will take a lot of time with you to figure out what works best for your child’s needs. I have been very impressed with this company every time I called (and that was several times).
All About Reading – This reading program was not around when my son was little, but we started the spelling program when he was in middle school, and it was fantastic! I used it with my daughter as well, and I really believe they are much better spellers because of that. I have heard lots of great things about the reading program they have now. If it’s anything like the spelling program, it will be good.
Online Programs
Dyslexia Gold– Improve your child’s reading and spelling by addressing the root causes of reading difficulties.
BrainWare Safari– Cognitive skills building software.
Tools
Using colored overlays can really improve your child’s ability to:
- See what is on the page
- Read longer
- Feel more comfortable when reading
- Reduces visual perceptual problems
- Make the print clearer
- Improves comprehension
There are several options:
- Wide Reading Strips with Colored Overlay for Dyslexia, ADHD and Visual Stress
- Thinner Reading Guide Strips
- Full Page Color Overlays to Aid with Reading
Using clay or Play-doh to give meaning to little words that don’t make sense when reading. This is a big problem with dyslexic children.
Modeling Clay that is reusable
10 Pack of Playdoh with a good variety of colors
Games
Dyslexia Games
Nessy– Learning games, videos, and apps that have a multisensory approach to help dyslexic children.
Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 App
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 App
Simplex Spelling Phonics 3 App
Simplex Spelling Phonics CVC App
Audiobooks/Online Books
Audiobooks are a great tool! Just because your child may not be reading independently at grade level, does not mean he can’t listen to an audiobook at or above it to foster his love of reading and increase vocabulary and comprehension.
The following is a list of places you can find free audiobooks:
Librivox– Free public domain audiobooks- over 10,000 books.
Lit2Go– These are free online stories and poems to download in Mp3 format.
Open Culture– Children’s storybooks online – They have 1,000 free audiobooks for kids of all ages.
OverDrive– If you haven’t heard of this yet, you need to check it out. There are tons of free audiobooks you can check out online through your local library. I use this all the time!
Hoopla– This is another site where you can listen to audiobooks through your local library. I use this one as well.
Project Gutenberg– Free books that are in the public domain. They used to only offer a computer read series, but now there are books read by people as well.
Spotify– They now have an audiobook section that is being added to continually.
SYNC– These are audiobooks for teens. There is a program that offers free audiobooks throughout the summer.
Learn Out Loud– Over 10,000 free educational audio and video titles (over 2,000 are for kids).
Digital Book– This is geared towards teens and adults.
You still may be struggling with the idea that you’re not qualified to teach a child with special needs, but I don’t believe this is true. You’ve been caring for and teaching this child since he was born.
You aren’t going to find a person that loves him more or has his best interest at heart with every decision that is made. This doesn’t mean you can’t seek outside help for certain things, but you’re the one deciding what’s going to happen. You are your child’s best advocate!
Conclusion on How to Overcome Reading Difficulties
I hope this article has provided you with a wealth of information on how to overcome reading difficulties. I don’t want you to feel helpless as if the only option is to put your child into the school system if you don’t want to.
That’s a decision each family needs to make, and before you can do that, you need to be informed. I know it can be a scary thing to think about trying to educate your own child when there’s a learning disability, but with the internet these days, there are so many resources available.
With some time and effort, you CAN learn how to teach your child, and he’s going to be better for it being home with a family that loves and supports him.
If you would like to find out if your child has a reading disability, download my Reading Difficulties Checklist by filling out the form below.
Are you homeschooling a child with a reading disability? What programs or resources have you found most helpful? Please list them in the comments below so others may learn about them.
Want to remember this? Post this How to Overcome Reading Difficulties article to your favorite Pinterest board!
