Evidence, tools and useful links

1. Build a routine

Routine matters for every child, and even more for a child with dyslexia. A visual timetable for each day, using the same pictures and colours every time, shows your child what is coming. Plan where each activity will happen too: at the table, on the floor or outside.

2. Choose what to learn

Find out where your child is working now, and aim for work that stretches them without being out of reach. They may be at different stages in different subjects, and may show what they know better out loud than on paper. Build in their interests and strengths to keep motivation high.

3. Make it multisensory

Use more than one sense at a time: seeing, hearing, moving and touching. Reading along with an audiobook uses sight and hearing together. For letter work, try laying out an alphabet arc, singing the alphabet while touching each letter, or forming letters in sand or shaving foam.

4. Use technology

Text to speech, speech to text and good spelling and grammar checkers are built into most computers, tablets and phones. Touch typing pays off at school and beyond, and BBC Dance Mat Typing is a free place to start. Audiobooks can open up a love of stories for children who find reading hard.

5. Don’t overload your child

Learning one to one is far more intense than a normal school day, and dyslexic learners tire more quickly. A short spell of good-quality learning each day is worth much more than trying to fill six hours.

Assistive technology

Software, hardware or devices that support independence and productivity, and can be crucial support in the classroom or at home.

• Reading pens / scanners
• Text-to-speech software
• Speech-to-text software
• Touch typing
• Recording devices

Study skills

Simple tools that make ideas visible and memorable: alternatives to writing everything down.

• Highlighters & coloured pens
• Post-it notes
• Mind maps
• Flashcards
• Alternative ways of recording ideas