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My Top 4 Reasons to Homeschool Dyslexia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plFf6FZ-bFc

Dyslexia is generally known as a “reading disability” but it is complex and it is caused by differences in the parts of the brain that process language. Did you know that it runs in families (therefore genetic) and affects about 7% of people worldwide? There are varying levels of dyslexia and it appears in various ways in children and adults. It is not something that you can grow out of – but with tools, strategies and assistance, you can learn to read and do well. It does not need to hold you back.

Over the years, I have worked with a number of children and teens with dyslexia. My husband also has it, so we have adapted over the years.

For some of the children I worked with, they were homeschooled and I saw firsthand what a great option it was – relieving so much pressure, allowing for adaptations as needed. For others, homeschooling would have been a great option for them but there were factors why that didn’t happen and we had to work to support them in school. 

Does your child have to have a formal diagnosis?

Yes, if you are in the school system and want a plan and accommodations for your child. For home? No. But it can be helpful to know so that you can get any assistance you might need.

Here are my top 4 reasons as to why I think homeschooling for children with dyslexia is a good thing. There are more, but these make a lot of sense and are part of the reason I highly recommend homeschooling a child with dyslexia if you can. 

boy struggling to read

MY TOP 4 REASONS

Here are some reasons why it can be great to homeschool their children with dyslexia:

Individualized Instruction

One thing I love about homeschooling is that it allows for a highly individualized approach to education. We can easily tailor our teaching methods to suit the specific learning needs of our child with dyslexia. This means we can incorporate multisensory techniques, specialized reading programs, and other strategies that work best for them.

We can also have a flexible schedule – providing more time for certain subjects or activities, or even shorten as needed. This individualized approach with flexibility is so wonderful.

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

So, traditional school settings can present some challenges for our children with dyslexia and this can lead to stress and anxiety. Having to read a lot of information can be not only time consuming but stressful, especially if your friends are a lot faster than you. 

When you homeschool a child with dyslexia you can provide a more relaxed and supportive environment where the child can learn at their own pace without the pressure of keeping up with peers. It also means you can be reading out loud or listening to lessons rather than reading. 

One thing I noticed was that children really don’t like feeling or looking different, so having classroom accommodations is “embarrassing” and they will do what they can to not have them. You don’t have to worry about this at home. 

5 year old boy smiling at camera

Positive Learning Environment

This really follows on from the point above. When we reduce stress and anxiety, we see that homeschooling allows for a positive learning environment where our child feels safe, supported, and encouraged. Isn’t this what we want for them? This can help boost their confidence, self-esteem, and overall academic performance. Reducing pressure and providing that consistent support is one of the best things we can do.

I am not disparaging teachers here, as I know that they do all they can for their children. But let’s be honest and accept that struggle to provide individualized accommodations for a large number of children in the classroom. I have seen children slip through the cracks. It happens. But we can limit that with homeschooling. 

Alternative Learning Approaches

Homeschooling opens up opportunities for alternative learning approaches that may not be feasible in a traditional school setting. Children with dyslexia can benefit from more hands-on learning, project-based activities, field trips, and other experiential learning opportunities. These can be easily incorporated into homeschooling. You can also make the most of audio books and video lessons – you are not going to be disturbing other children in the classroom. 

There are so many great resources, materials and tools that you can use at home. There are curricula that are better than others for your children. A great resource to check out is Homeschooling with Dyslexia. I also love that these different curricula options means you can do what works for you, and you don’t have to do it all (Thank you online options!) 

Within these alternative approaches are tutoring and support groups, and these are so beneficial. When you homeschool a child with dyslexia you are also flexible with your time, so you often have more time options than just after school when your child is tired, and probably done for the day. 

young teen working on computer

So these are my top 4 reasons why I think it is good to homeschool a child with dyslexia. But of course, don’t do it if you don’t feel you have the capability or capacity. 

Check out these other posts I have on dyslexia:
Homeschooling Dyslexia: Transforming their education
Famous People with Dyslexia

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