homeschooling with dyslexia

Homeschooling A Child With Dyslexia: It’s More Than Reading

Homeschooling a child with dyslexia has it’s own unique challenges and opportunities. The more we learn about dyslexia, the more we understand that educating a child with dyslexia is about more than just reading. In this episode, we talk with Marianne Sunderland, She has been homeschooling for 26 years and is considered an expert in helping children with dyslexia. In fact, seven of her eight kids have dyslexia. 

 
 

homeschooling with dyslexia

 

When your child struggles with reading, it can dominate your homeschool. Whether or not your child has a formal dyslexia diagnosis, there are some key factors to consider and understand as you determine the best path for reading support, and your overall approach in your homeschool. 

Dyslexia Is A Language Processing Disorder

There is often a misconception that dyslexia has something to do with a dysfunction of the eyes. Dyslexia is not however, a vision issue. Studies have shown that dyslexia is actually a language processing disorder.  This means that a dyslexic brain simply does not process language related tasks efficiently.

This is important in helping you fully understanding your dyslexic child, as it explains how dyslexia can impact far more than just your child’s reading ability.

 

homeschooling with dyslexia

 

Homeschooling A Child With Dyslexia: It’s More Than Reading

Dyslexia is not just about reading ability.

Any homeschooling mom of a dyslexic child can tell you that dyslexia can and does also affect math skills, handwriting, attention and focus, organization and executive function ability. Dyslexia can impact directionality – your child’s ability to understand up and down, yesterday and tomorrow, before and after. It can affect telling time and tying shoes.

The good news is, homeschooling is actually a wonderful option for a dyslexic child. It allows them to progress on their own, in their own time, and focus on strengths. Homeschooling makes perfect sense for a child struggling with reading and dyslexia.

The reality is, no more cares more about your child’s success than you! You are the perfect parent for your child. You have an incredible advantage as you can individualize your approach. You know your child best!

Educating a child with dyslexia requires far more than reading intervention. It requires a different approach to the way we educate our child overall. Homeschooling allows us to do just that.

 

homeschooling with dyslexia

 

No More School: Meeting The Education Needs Of Children With Dyslexia And Language-Based Learning Difficulties

Marianne’s new book, No More School: Meeting The Education Needs Of Children With Dyslexia And Language-Based Learning Difficultiesis all about how vital it is to educate a dyslexic child in a way that is most appropriate for their unique brain function.

Because of her new resource, I am happy to share that Marianne is joining us for the next two weeks on The Raising Lifelong Learner’s Podcast.

In Part One, we discuss:

  • The Orton-Gillingham approach to learning reading and how rewires the brain to help it be more efficiently.
  • The importance of teaching kids very explicitly and systematically,  with an individualized approach.
  • The necessity of lots of repetition.
  • The need for play and the advantage of taking a slower approach to learning to read.

Perhaps most encouragingly, the Marianne’s message is clear. All dyslexic children can learn to read and homeschooling will help them.

 

marianne sunderland

 

Raising Lifelong Learners Episode #131: Homeschooling A Child With Dyslexia

This episode is part one of a two part series with Marianne Sunderland, homeschooling mom of eight and expert on educating children with dyslexia. This first conversation is all about the reality of homeschooling a child with dyslexia. (Join us again next week, where we discuss the particulars of Giftedness and Dyslexia.)

 
 

Links and Resources From Today’s Show

No More School: Meeting the Educational Needs of Kids With Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning DifficultiesBetter Late Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child's EducationDyslexia 101: Truths, Myths and What Really WorksFor the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and SchoolHelping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Strategies to Succeed in School and Life with Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, ADHD, and Auditory Processing DisorderBlast Off to Reading!: 50 Orton-Gillingham Based Lessons for Struggling Readers and Those with DyslexiaThe Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic BrainSchool Can WaitRaising Creative Kids: A Collection of Simple Creativity Prompts for ChildrenThe Big Book of Kids Activities: 500 Projects That Are the Bestest, Funnest EverRaising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom's Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent FamilyWhy I Love Homeschooling Neurodiverse Kids: 25 Parents Share the Joys & Challenges of Educating Their Kids Who Have ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Giftedness, or Are Otherwise Differently Wired

 

 
 

 

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