Dyslexia Resources and Information
I tutor children with dyslexia, as well as other students who struggle with spelling and reading. They often can’t remember their spelling words from one week to the next and have trouble spelling when writing sentences or stories, even high-frequency words like because, friend, and does. Keep scrolling for more information on dyslexia.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken words. It can make it hard to connect letters with their sounds, recognize familiar words quickly, and remember spelling patterns. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence or effort. Children with dyslexia are just as capable and curious as their peers, but they need specific, structured instruction to make reading and spelling make sense.
Helpful Links
Click on the links below for more resources and information on dyslexia.
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Resources, tools, and information for individuals who struggle with dyslexia and related learning differences
Why the Barton Reading & Spelling System?
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is Orton-Gillingham based and therefore built on evidence-based, multisensory methods that explicitly teach the connections between sounds, letters, and words. Lessons are systematic and cumulative — meaning each new skill builds on what your child has already mastered. Through consistent practice and step-by-step instruction, students begin to understand how English spelling works, gain confidence, and develop lasting reading and writing skills.
Dyslexia Warning Signs*
In Preschool
• delayed speech
• mixing up the sounds and syllables in long words
• chronic ear infections
• stuttering
• constant confusion of left versus right
• late establishing a dominant hand
• difficulty learning to tie shoes
• trouble memorizing their address, phone
number, or the alphabet
• can’t create words that rhyme
• a close relative with dyslexia
In Elementary School
• dysgraphia (slow, non-automatic handwriting
that is difficult to read)
• letter or number reversals continuing past the end of
first grade
• extreme difficulty learning cursive
• slow, choppy, inaccurate reading:
- guesses based on shape or context
- skips or misreads prepositions (at, to, of)
- ignores suffixes
- can’t sound out unknown words
• terrible spelling
• often can’t remember sight words (they, were, does)
or homonyms (their, they’re, and there)
• difficulty telling time with a clock with hands
• trouble with math
- memorizing multiplication tables
- memorizing a sequence of steps
- directionality
• when speaking, difficulty finding the correct word
- lots of “whatyamacallits” and “thingies”
- common sayings come out slightly twisted
• extremely messy bedroom, backpack, and desk
• dreads going to school
- complains of stomach aches or headaches
- may have nightmares about school
In High School
All of the above symptoms plus:
• limited vocabulary
• extremely poor written expression
- large discrepancy between verbal skills
and written compositions
• unable to master a foreign language
• difficulty reading printed music
• poor grades in many classes
• may drop out of high school
*reprinted with permission from Susan Barton