What Really Works for Spelling: Proven Programs and Activities for Dyslexic Children
- Alana McWilliams
- Nov 14
- 4 min read
When you’re choosing a spelling program for a dyslexic child, the most important thing is this: make sure the instruction is rooted in the science of reading. Spelling doesn’t develop naturally. Every pattern needs to be taught directly, modeled, practiced, and reviewed. As Louisa Moats puts it, reading and spelling are reciprocal processes—children become stronger in one when the other is taught well.
Spelling can be a diagnostic tool for reading instruction. Here's Moats on the topic.
Here are solid options, depending on whether you want a homeschool curriculum or private therapy.
Homeschool Curriculums
Curriculum: UFLI Foundations
Cost: About $70
If you need something simple and effective, start here. UFLI covers every strand of the reading rope and comes with clear, parent-friendly lessons. The supplementals are completely free to print, and you don’t need a teaching degree to use it. It’s a strong, affordable option for families.
Curriculum: All About Reading + All About Spelling
Cost: Roughly $400 per program (you can buy components gradually)
This curriculum has two parts—and both matter.
All About Reading teaches decoding, reading patterns, and situations, and includes engaging decodable readers, review cards for building automaticity, a workbook, and a fully scripted guide.
All About Spelling teaches spelling rules, patterns, and provides the review needed to make those rules stick.
For dyslexic learners, pairing reading and spelling together creates the consistency they need, so I don’t recommend choosing just one. If your child has gaps, start at the beginning level to make sure nothing is missed.
Private Reading Therapy
If you’re looking for one-on-one support, choose a therapist trained in an Orton-Gillingham–based program. Most OG programs take about two years and require at least three sessions per week for meaningful growth.
I’d recommend finding an ALTA- or IDA-endorsed program. Both organizations set high standards for dyslexia intervention.
IDA (International Dyslexia Association) accredits programs that align with the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. That means the instruction is explicit, cumulative, and multisensory—designed to help kids truly master reading.
ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association) certifies professionals who complete extensive training and supervised practice. If someone is ALTA-certified (CALP or CALT), you can trust they’re using methods backed by solid research and proven results.
Choosing an IDA- or ALTA-endorsed program or a tutor trained through one ensures your child is getting the kind of targeted, evidence-based teaching that actually builds reading skills, not just coping strategies.
Expect rates in the range of $45–$55 per session ($400–$600 per month). Sessions can often be done in person, online, or in a hybrid format. I’m unable to take new students until January, but I can recommend several excellent therapists who may have openings.
We can’t endorse any one specific program, but these options are evidence-based and available to the public. If you’d like help choosing the right fit or want private curriculum consultation, feel free to message us.
Helpful Extras for Spelling Mastery
Regardless of the program you choose, here are activities that help reinforce tricky patterns like vowel teams:
Word building with tiles (highly effective for mapping sound to print)
Dictation practice that includes words, phrases, and short sentences
Sorting activities (e.g., “ai” vs. “ay”)
Daily review of previously taught patterns
Decodable reading tied to the current spelling pattern
Games & Resources
Check out Florida Center for Reading Research to focus on explicit instruction of spelling patterns (especially vowel teams), you’ll appreciate that the FCRR activities name the pattern (e.g., “vowel digraph,” “variant correspondence”) and give a game-format to practice it. You can review activities by Grade Level or Topics.
These small, consistent routines help move patterns into long-term memory; something dyslexic students need more repetition to achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions related to spelling and dyslexia.
How can I help my dyslexic child with spelling?
Dyslexic children need explicit teaching of spelling patterns, not memorization. Focus on breaking words into sounds, teaching one pattern at a time, and practicing with repetition. Hands-on tools like letter tiles, sound boxes, and word-building activities work well. Be sure to review previously taught patterns consistently so the skills stick.
Do dyslexic students need spelling instruction every day?
Yes, short, consistent practice works best. Even 10 –15 minutes of daily spelling review of specific taught patterns or word-building can make a measurable difference.
Can someone with dyslexia be good at spelling?
Yes, but it requires explicit instruction. Dyslexic learners can become solid spellers when taught systematically with programs that connect sounds, patterns, and meaningful practice.
What words do dyslexics struggle to spell?
Words with inconsistent patterns (e.g., laugh, said, friend) and words with vowel teams (e.g., rain, beach, boat) are common challenges. Multisyllable words also become difficult without explicit instruction in syllable types and spelling rules.
What if my dyslexic child spells the same word differently in the same paragraph?
This is extremely common. It simply means the spelling pattern hasn't been fully stored yet. Regular review, dictation, and structured practice help stabilize the pattern so spelling becomes more consistent over time.
Is phonics enough to improve spelling?
Phonics is essential, but spelling also requires understanding morphology (prefixes, suffixes, bases) and syllable division. As students move to multisyllable words, morphology becomes increasingly important. If you want to further develop your understanding of the English Language, we recommend the Uncovering the Logic of English.
What are the four D’s of dyslexia?
Many parents use the “four D’s” as a simple way to remember common symptoms: difficulties with decoding, dysfluency, disorientation with letter patterns, and difficulty with directionality. These are not diagnostic criteria, but they do reflect common struggles.