Resources for Reading, Literacy and Dyslexia
Literacy instruction should adhere to the guidelines provided by the National Institute for Literacy. These guidelines can be found in a pamphlet called Put Reading First, which can be downloaded free – click here to download pdf. These guidelines emphasize five crucial aspects of reading instruction, including phonemic analysis, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text comprehension.
Spelling and Writing Programs:
- Neuhaus Scientific Spelling
- Spellography
- Step up to Writing
Voice Recognition Software. Dragon Naturally Speaking
Websites:
The Rocky Mountain branch of the International Dyslexia Association – provides a forum for parents, educators, individuals with dyslexia and researchers to share their knowledge about the disorder. This branch offers workshops and resources to increase and improve public awareness about dyslexia.
Learning Ally – free membership to individuals; access to digitally recorded books as well as other resources.
The Florida Center for Reading Research – information about research-backed reading resources.
The National Association for Gifted Children (202-785-4268)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Reviews.com, a website dedicated to conducting data driven and unbiased research about topics that can help make an impact in people’s lives.
- Scholarship search platforms
- What You Should Know About Scholarships
- How Do Scholarship Search Platforms Work?
- What Students Should Know Before Searching for a Scholarship
- Guide to Applying for Scholarships
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Books:
Overcoming Dyslexia, by Sally Shaywitz. Further information about specific evidence-based reading programs; also provides a good deal of other information about understanding dyslexia and its treatment.
They Say My Kid’s Gifted: Now What? , by F. Richard Olenchak
Symptoms of Dyslexia
Is My Child Dyslexic?
Individuals with dyslexia have trouble with reading, writing, spelling and/or math even though they have the ability and have had opportunities to learn. Individuals with dyslexia can learn, but they often need specialized instruction to overcome the problem. Often these individuals, who have talented and productive minds, are said to have a language learning difference.
Common characteristics of dyslexia

Oral Language
- Late learning to talk
- Difficulty pronouncing words
- Difficulty acquiring vocabulary or using age appropriate grammar
- Difficulty following directions
- Confusion with before/after, right/left, and so on
- Difficulty learning the alphabet, nursery rhymes, or songs
- Difficulty understanding concepts and relationships
- Difficulty with word retrieval or naming problems
- Reading
- Difficulty learning to read
- Difficulty identifying or generating rhyming words, or counting syllables in words (phonological awareness)
- Difficulty with hearing and manipulating sounds in words (phonemic awareness)
- Difficulty distinguishing different sounds in words (phonological processing)
- Difficulty in learning the sounds of letters (phonics)
- Difficulty remembering names and shapes of letters, or naming letters rapidly
- Transposing the order of letters when reading or spelling
Reading
Written language
- Difficulty putting ideas on paper
- Many spelling mistakes
- May do well on weekly spelling tests, but may have many spelling mistakes in daily work
- Difficulty proofreading