How Dyslexia Interventions Can Make or Break Reading Proficiency

Dyslexia is perhaps one of the most misunderstood common diagnoses. Did you know dyslexia represents up to 90% of students with learning disabilities? Studies show 1 in 5 students, or 20%, have dyslexia, which is a neurobiological learning disability—meaning the brain is wired to process language differently. Although a student’s reading struggles can be misinterpreted as a lack of motivation or not working hard enough, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, students with dyslexia can learn to read proficiently when given the right interventions. 

Let’s examine dyslexia, how best to intervene, and what to look for when selecting a reading program for dyslexia interventions. 

What Is Dyslexia?

According to the International Dyslexia Association® (IDA), students with dyslexia:

• Struggle with accuracy and/or fluency in word recognition

• Have poor spelling and decoding abilities

This involves:

• Lacking phonological component of language

• Needing explicit and systematic classroom instruction 

• Struggling with reading comprehension 

• Getting less reading experience, which then inhibits building vocabulary and learning overall 

In a classroom, students with dyslexia may have difficulty with:

• Blending letter sounds

• Sounding out unfamiliar words

• Recognizing words that rhyme

• Skipping smaller words such as of and by when reading aloud

• Spelling the same word consistently

• Remembering important details from readings 

• Taking notes 

• Following multistep instructions

• Summarizing stories

• Reading at a normal pace

The Importance of Dyslexia Interventions

The impacts of dyslexia reach far beyond the classroom. Arguably, the worst side effects manifest as discouragement and doubt. Students without intervention become self-conscious about their skills, avoid reading because it’s slow or difficult, and can become disappointed. Behavior issues and apathy arise—or worse, students drop out. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dyslexia intervention because symptoms vary in severity and type. Intervention may include one-on-one support, a multisensory approach that includes hearing, touch, and sight, and providing accommodations like extra time for written exams, oral exams, and more. 

The IDA recommends a Structured Literacy approach to help students decode words in “an explicit and systematic manner.” This means instruction begins with the most basic skills and advances to more complex concepts methodically, never assuming that a student innately figures out a step. 

Students who receive Structured Literacy interventions demonstrate significantly higher reading proficiency rates. Specifically, foundational reading support in phonemes and phonics, an extra focus on comprehension, and using assistive technologies can help fuel reading success. 

Phonological Awareness and Phonics-Based Interventions

Students with dyslexia have difficulties in automatic word recognition because of an underlying deficit in detecting, identifying, and manipulating speech sounds, a.k.a. phonemic awareness. The National Reading Panel recommends:

• Students learn to count and manipulate phonemes with blocks or counters. 

• Teaching is done in small groups.

Once phonemic awareness is mastered, emphasizing phonics helps students with dyslexia better decode written words. Research shows explicit, systematic phonics instruction gives readers a higher chance of proficiency.

Reading Comprehension Strategies

Reading comprehension cannot be achieved if students do not master recognizing and translating written words into spoken language and then find meaning. Lacking one of these skills results in reading failure. Because students with dyslexia begin with a deficit in recognizing words or understanding language, added support is needed, including:

• Regular checks for understanding

• Breaking down text into bite-size pieces 

• Using visual aids like pictures, diagrams, and maps

• Allowing voice-to-text so students can listen to or speak to concepts 

Assistive Technology and Accommodations

Assistive technology can be a lifesaver because it eases reading and writing demands, allowing students with dyslexia to concentrate on learning and overcome challenges like note-taking, slow reading speed, and handwriting. With technical support, students can better share what they know and express their thoughts and feelings.

How to Select a Dyslexia Intervention Program

The most effective reading programs for dyslexia are evidence-based. Grounded in rigorous research, these programs help ensure students receive tailored instruction that meets their specific needs. At a minimum, proven programs:

• Are grounded in the science of reading, a gold-standard body of research that explains how the human brain learns to read
• Support all six essential reading elements: phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, structured analysis, fluency, and comprehension 
• Provide learning paths to meet each student's needs and support all ability levels so educators can differentiate instruction at any grade level
• Include in-the-moment assessment and smart progress data so students and educators can pivot and address gaps before they compound 
• Demonstrate efficacy with a diverse and comprehensive body of scientific research to prove they support reading success, including meeting the highest ESSA ratings

The Right Intervention Delivers Real Results for All

With the right program, schools can accelerate literacy for students of all abilities, including students with dyslexia. Chicago’s Monarcas Academy saw 80% of students working below grade level advance at least one grade level in a single year when they implemented Lexia® Core5® Reading. Core5 is proven to help all students make the critical shift from learning to read to reading to learn, accelerating learning in program users 2.5 times faster than non-users. It specifically supports students with dyslexia with:

• A systematic sequence that moves from simple to complex and cycles back to previously introduced review material 

• Personalized learning paths based on skill strengths and weaknesses that continuously adapt and support as students grow 

• Lexia’s patented Assessment Without Testing®, which captures real-time performance data for continual insight to inform instruction

• Picture-matching activities for things like recognizing rhyming words and blending syllables in spoken words 

• Blending and segmenting activities that begin with compound words and progress to three-syllable words 

• And more… 

When national literacy scores are at an all-time low and budgets are tight, know the interventions for dyslexia also benefit Tier 1 and 2 students. Learn how science-backed instruction can effectively support students with dyslexia and move the needle on performance for all students.