Reading strategies for dyslexic children

If you are searching for reading strategies for dyslexic children, it is usually because reading feels harder than it should for your child.

They may be bright, curious and full of ideas, yet reading is slow, draining or frustrating. Homework ends in tears. Books come home from school that they have no interest in. Confidence quietly dips.

Reading support for dyslexic children does not need to be rigid, joyless or pressured. In fact, the wrong approach can increase avoidance and fatigue. The right approach builds skill and confidence at the same time.

Written by Laura Gowers, APC-qualified Dyslexia Assessor and experienced SENCO with 23 years in education, supporting families across Kent, Essex and online throughout the UK.

Why Traditional Reading Schemes Often Don’t Work for Dyslexic Children

One of the biggest misconceptions I see, both as a former teacher and now as a specialist assessor, is the belief that reading progress must follow a rigid scheme.

Many primary schools use structured reading programmes. These can be helpful. But for dyslexic children, strictly following a scheme without flexibility can reduce motivation.

When reading becomes about:

• finishing levels

• completing quizzes

• sticking to appropriate books

• measuring speed

rather than interest and understanding, children disengage.

Dyslexic children are already working harder to decode words. If the content is uninteresting, the cognitive load doubles. Fatigue sets in quickly.

Emotional Signs a Child Is Struggling With Reading

In primary-aged dyslexic children, reading difficulty rarely looks like inability. It looks like:

• avoidance

• frustration

• tiredness

• negative self-talk

• rushing or guessing

• shutting down

These behaviours are not laziness. They are protective responses.

Across hundreds of assessments, I have seen the same pattern: when reading feels unsafe, children stop trying.

Reading Strategies That Genuinely Help Dyslexic Children

The most effective reading strategies for dyslexic children combine skill development with emotional safety.

1. Paired Reading

Paired reading reduces pressure while maintaining engagement. The adult and child read together aloud. If the child hesitates, the adult supports immediately.

This prevents guessing, reduces embarrassment and builds fluency gradually.

It also creates connection, which is often the missing piece.

2. Listening While Following the Text

Listening to a story while following the words in a physical book is powerful.

It strengthens:

• vocabulary

• comprehension

• language exposure

• word recognition patterns

This method reduces decoding strain while still building literacy pathways.

There is no such thing as a bad way to access a story. Audiobooks are not cheating. They are support.

3. Let the Child Choose the Book

Interest changes everything.

One child I worked with was completely disengaged from reading. He was sent home with school books he had to read and quiz on. He was fed up and resistant.

His parents purchased a small range of dyslexia-friendly books and allowed him to choose. Cartoon-style texts, fact books and high-interest low-reading-level books were included.

The shift was immediate. Reading became something he opted into rather than endured.

Choice creates ownership.

4. Use Dyslexia-Friendly Books

Dyslexia-friendly books often use:

• cream paper

• clear spacing

• accessible fonts

• shorter paragraphs

These small changes significantly reduce visual stress and cognitive load.

For primary children especially, presentation matters.

5. Mix It Up Across the Week

If you only have 15 minutes a day, vary the approach.

For example:

One day play a reading bingo or word pairs game.

Another day do paired reading.

Another day listen to an audiobook while following the text.

Another day read something completely different such as a fact page or magazine.

Consistency matters more than length.

What Not To Do

Well-meaning strategies can sometimes backfire.

Bribing children to read, promising just five minutes and then extending to fifteen, or pushing through visible fatigue can damage trust.

Dyslexic children are often highly sensitive to pressure. When they feel tricked or forced, resistance increases.

Reading needs to feel safe.

How a Dyslexia Assessment Changes Reading Support

A formal diagnostic assessment does more than confirm dyslexia.

It identifies:

• specific decoding weaknesses

• processing speed patterns

• working memory challenges

• comprehension strengths

• phonological processing needs

Instead of guessing what might help, parents leave with a clear, individualised plan.

In my work across Kent, Essex and online UK-wide, parents often say the greatest relief is understanding why reading feels difficult.

Clarity removes blame.

The Role of Technology

Assistive technology is not replacing reading. It is supporting it.

Text-to-speech, audiobooks and digital tools allow children to access age-appropriate content without cognitive overload.

All methods play a part. The goal is literacy access, not rigid purity about method.

When Reading Struggles Might Be Dyslexia

If your primary-aged child:

• is bright but reading is significantly behind

• works hard but makes inconsistent errors

• avoids reading despite support

• becomes unusually fatigued

• struggles with spelling alongside reading

it may be worth exploring dyslexia formally.

Waiting rarely builds confidence.

Understanding does.

You Are Not Failing Your Child

If you are searching for reading strategies for dyslexic children, you are already advocating.

You are not overreacting.

You are noticing.

And clarity is possible sooner than you think.

For families in Kent and Essex, and for those seeking online dyslexia assessments across the UK, professional assessment and guidance can transform how reading is supported both at home and at school.

When a child understands how their brain works, everything shifts.

Understanding your child changes how they see themselves. And that changes everything.

FAQs

What are the best reading strategies for dyslexic children?

The most effective reading strategies for dyslexic children combine skill development with emotional safety. Paired reading, listening to audiobooks while following the text, choosing high-interest books and using dyslexia-friendly formats all reduce pressure while building fluency. Reading should feel supportive, not stressful.

How can I help my dyslexic child read at home?

Help your dyslexic child at home by keeping sessions short, mixing up activities and focusing on confidence rather than speed. One day you might play a word game, another day try paired reading, and another day listen to an audiobook together. Consistency matters more than duration.

Are audiobooks good for dyslexic children?

Yes. Audiobooks are highly beneficial for dyslexic children. They develop vocabulary, comprehension and love of stories without the fatigue caused by decoding. Listening while following the text can strengthen reading pathways without overwhelming the child.

Why does my dyslexic child avoid reading?

Avoidance often comes from frustration, fatigue or fear of getting things wrong. Dyslexic children typically work harder to decode words, which leads to exhaustion. When reading feels unsafe or pressured, children protect themselves by avoiding it.

Should dyslexic children follow school reading schemes?

Structured reading schemes can be helpful, but rigidly sticking to them without flexibility may reduce motivation. Dyslexic children benefit from choice, interest-based reading and materials suited to their processing style.

How do I know if my child’s reading difficulties are dyslexia?

Signs that reading difficulties may be linked to dyslexia include persistent struggles despite practice, slow reading speed, inconsistent spelling, fatigue, and strong verbal ability but weaker written work. A formal dyslexia assessment provides clarity and a personalised support plan.

What age should a child be assessed for dyslexia?

Children can be formally assessed in primary school once reading patterns are established. Early identification helps prevent long-term confidence issues and provides clear guidance for home and school support.

Can reading strategies alone fix dyslexia?

Reading strategies improve access and confidence, but dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference. Understanding a child’s cognitive profile through professional assessment ensures support is targeted and effective.