Homeschool Curriculum for Dyslexia
What actually works — written by someone who scored 1,307 homeschool curricula on 10 dimensions, including how they handle dyslexia.
The short version
If your child has dyslexia (or you suspect they do), the curriculum question reduces to one thing: does the program use structured literacy based on the Orton-Gillingham approach?Almost every credible recommendation for dyslexia traces back to OG, and almost everything else either won't help or actively makes things harder.
That narrows the field of "best homeschool curriculum" from thousands of options to about ten programs that matter.
What to look for
- Orton-Gillingham-based — explicit, sequential, multisensory phonics instruction
- Multisensory — sound, sight, and touch all engaged simultaneously (sand trays, finger-tapping, color-coded letter tiles)
- Cumulative review — every lesson reinforces prior material, no jumping ahead
- Decodable readers — practice books that only contain phonics patterns the child has been taught (no "guess from the picture")
- Mastery-based pacing — moves at the child's pace, not a fixed schedule
The programs that actually work
All About Reading + All About Spelling
The default recommendation for most homeschoolers. Orton-Gillingham-influenced, well-paced, scripted enough that a non-expert parent can teach it confidently. Expensive (~$200/level) but reusable across siblings. Good for ages 4-12 typically.
Logic of English
More comprehensive than AAR — covers reading, spelling, grammar, and handwriting in one integrated program. Heavier teacher prep, but very thorough. The "Foundations" levels are designed specifically for dyslexic-friendly instruction.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
The closest thing to clinical-grade Orton-Gillingham in a homeschool format. Used widely in private dyslexia tutoring. Most expensive option (~$300/level), most rigorous, most effective for severe dyslexia. Overkill for most kids; essential for some.
Pride Reading Program
Newer, online-friendly, more affordable than Barton. OG-based. Good middle option if AAR feels too light and Barton feels like too much.
For math: Math-U-See or RightStart Math
Both are visual and manipulative-heavy. Don't rely on reading-heavy word problems. Math-U-See has a lower teacher-prep floor; RightStart is more rigorous but requires more daily setup.
What to avoid
- Sight-word-heavy programs (Dolch lists as the primary reading method)
- "Whole language" approaches (guess from context, learn-by-reading-a-lot)
- Generic phonics workbooks not built on a structured-literacy framework
- Anything that promises to teach reading "in 100 easy lessons" without explicit OG instruction
Find your match in 5 minutes
Our matcher asks 7 questions about your child — grade, learning style, what you've already tried, budget — and ranks options from our database of 1,307 curricula scored on 10 dimensions including dyslexia-friendliness. Free, no signup required to see recommendations.
A dedicated dyslexia mode (with severity questions and prior-program history) is in the works.
Common questions
What kind of homeschool curriculum works best for dyslexia?
Structured literacy programs based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. These teach reading explicitly, sequentially, and multisensorially — through sight, sound, and touch. Generic phonics programs aren't enough; the curriculum has to be specifically designed for how dyslexic brains process language.
Is All About Reading good for dyslexia?
Yes — it's one of the most-recommended programs for homeschoolers with dyslexic children. It's Orton-Gillingham-influenced, multisensory, and explicitly sequential. Many families with diagnosed dyslexia use it successfully, often paired with All About Spelling.
What about math curriculum for a dyslexic child?
Look for programs that are visual, manipulative-heavy, and don't rely on heavy reading. Math-U-See and RightStart Math are the two most commonly recommended for dyslexic learners.
Should I get a formal dyslexia diagnosis before choosing curriculum?
You don't need to — the curriculum recommendations don't change much. But a diagnosis can be useful for accessing other services and getting accommodations later (especially for testing in high school and college).