Dyslexia Resources

Whether you are new to dyslexia or just looking for fresh resources, here is a list of sites, articles, books, films and interventions that I have found helpful.

Websites:

• www.madebydyslexia.org Great short videos to educate the whole family and friends.
• www.ortonacademy.org Loads of information. Go to their Parents Page to request a listing of local or online certified Dyslexia tutors.
• www.understood.org Helpful articles and insights. 
• www.additudemag.com Focused more on ADHD but great articles that include Dyslexia. 
• https://www.decodingdyslexia.net You can join your local chapter to help stay informed and educated.

Dyslexia Interventions. There are others, but these are programs that I feel confident to recommend:

• Orton Gillingham
• Barton (This is the only program set up so it can be taught by the parent w/o prior certification)
• Milan Method
• Lindamood-Bell
• Slingerland 

Books and Articles for Parents and Adult Allies:

• My blog article all about sharing a new diagnosis with a child.
• An affirming look at Dyslexia. A must read: The Dyslexic Advantage, by Brock and Fernette Eide
• Tapping into the visual-spatial abilities of Dyslexia: Upside-Down Brilliance, by Linda Kreger Silverman
• Jonathan Mooney’s story will give you hope and perspective: Normal Sucks, by Jonathan Mooney
• I personally have not read this one, yet, but it comes recommended. I don’t love the use of the word “overcoming” when Dyslexia has amazing gifts to be embraced, or the use of the word “disorder” in the book’s description. That being said, I hear good things about the book: Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz 

Books for Kids:

• Fiction novel that educates and affirms the Dyslexic struggle, perspective, and strengths. Great as a family read aloud or audiobook: Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt 
• Check out the various books offered by Royal Fireworks Press with dyslexic children in mind. Dyslexia-friendly font and intentionality.
• Series with a teen protagonist who has Dyslexia and ADHD. Good series for an older kid or teen. The audiobook is great and there is also a graphic novel version: The Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan
• Great read aloud for quirky, flying under-the-radar families. Ramona Quimby is a curious, vivacious little girl who (in my opinion) exhibits the traits of a bright girl with stealth Dyslexia and ADHD: The Ramona Quimby book series, by Beverly Cleary.
• The author, Dav Pilkey, is Dyslexic with ADHD. There is a blurb on the inside cover of each of his books, sharing about his neurodiversity journey. Also, graphic novels can be less intimidating and more approachable for Dyslexic children: Dogman series and other books by Dav Pilkey.

Family Movies to watch together:

• *Rescued by Ruby*, starring Grant Gustin 
• *True Spirit*, starring Anna Paquin
• The Secret, starring Kirk Douglas. (I have not seen it, yet! But it sounds promising.) 

*both of these films also normalize homeschooling, if you happen to have a homeschooler.*

Articles for Advocating and Educating Schools, SPED and teachers:

• The benefit of audiobooks for the brain
• Creating a Dyslexia-Friendly Environment
• Multisensory Math approach for Dyslexics. Rote doesn’t work; calculators do. Article: The Fight Over Rote math from the Dyslexic Advantage authors. You will need to register online for free access to this article.
• Explaining Stealth Dyslexia. Explaining how a child could be able to read and also be Dyslexic: Stealth dyslexia – Davidson Institute
• Warning Signs of Dyslexia. Great to explain to a school why your child needs a full evaluation.
• Evidence that math memorization and timed math assessments are poor learning methods

Videos for Advocating and Educating Schools, SPED and teachers:

• Evidence against rote math and for appropriate accommodation and intervention: Dyslexia Awareness Part 2: Module 2 – Maths
• A poignant depiction of Dyslexic kids in the current school systems: Square Pegs