Advocate for your child
Request evaluations in writing, prepare for IEP and 504 meetings, and know exactly what the law entitles your child to receive.
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Advocacy · Education · Community
Every child can learn to read
Dyslexia Institute equips parents and educators with advocacy tools, plain-language legal guides, and evidence-based resources — so children with dyslexia get the support the science says works.
Why we exist
Reading is a right, not a privilege
Dyslexia affects an estimated 1 in 5 people, yet most families discover the maze of screenings, laws, IEP meetings, and intervention options only after their child is already struggling.
We close that gap. Dyslexia Institute translates the science of reading and the law of special education into tools anyone can use — an educator preparing for a parent conference, or a parent preparing to advocate for their child at their first IEP meeting.
Our mission & history
Dyslexia by the numbers
The case for action
1 in 5people show signs of dyslexia, from mild to severeYale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
80–90%of students with learning disabilities have a primary difficulty with readingInternational Dyslexia Association
50US states now have dyslexia-specific legislation on the booksNational Center on Improving Literacy, 2026
95%of children can learn to read when taught with appropriate, evidence-based methodsMoats, Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science
Sources are provided as a starting point for your own reading — see our Research library for citations and context.
Start here
Tools for your role
Champion your students
Screening guidance, structured literacy essentials, classroom accommodations, and scripts for hard conversations with families.
Educator toolkit
Dyslexia laws, decoded
Every US state now has dyslexia legislation — but requirements differ wildly. See what applies where you live, plus international rights.
Laws by state & countryIntervention that works
From identification to intervention
Identifying dyslexia is only step one. What changes a child's trajectory is structured literacy — explicit, systematic instruction backed by decades of reading science.
When choosing an intervention provider, ask the questions that matter: What program do you use? What evidence supports it? How is progress measured and reported? Our resources will help you evaluate the answers.
Latest
News & insights
A federal science-of-reading bill is moving. Here's what it would actually do
A bipartisan bill would tie federal literacy money to the science of reading and ban three-cueing — what that means, and doesn't, for kids with dyslexia.
Read more
Dyslexia just got a new definition. What it changes for your child
A 2025 expert consensus reframed dyslexia and dropped the old IQ-gap logic. Why the wording matters for who gets identified and helped.
Read more
Back to school with dyslexia: the accommodations talk to have before September
The quiet weeks before term are the best time to lock in accommodations. A parent's checklist for IEPs, 504 plans, and the first-month watchlist.
Read moreOur community
You're not doing this alone
Parents at their first IEP meeting. Teachers retraining in the science of reading. Adults finally understanding their own school story. Our community shares what works — and shows up for every reader.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It makes accurate and fluent word reading, spelling, and decoding difficult, usually because of a weakness in the phonological component of language — the ability to notice and work with the sounds inside words. It has nothing to do with intelligence, laziness, or eyesight.
How common is dyslexia?
Estimates range from 5% to 17% of the population depending on how it is defined and measured, and "1 in 5" is commonly cited when milder presentations are included. That makes dyslexia one of the most common learning differences — in a class of 25 students, several are likely affected.
What are the early signs?
Early signs include trouble rhyming, difficulty learning letter names and sounds, trouble breaking words into sounds, slow or laborious sounding-out, guessing at words from the first letter, and strong listening comprehension paired with weak reading. Family history of reading difficulty is a significant risk factor. If you see these signs, request a screening — early intervention is dramatically more effective.
Does my child have a legal right to help?
In the US, if dyslexia adversely affects educational performance, a child may qualify for specially designed instruction under IDEA (an IEP) or accommodations under Section 504. Every state also now has its own dyslexia legislation, many requiring universal early screening. See our laws guide and advocacy toolkits to learn how to activate these rights.
What actually works to teach reading?
Structured literacy: explicit, systematic, cumulative instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, syllables, morphology, vocabulary, and comprehension, with lots of guided practice. Approaches built on Orton–Gillingham principles are common examples. For students who need more, individualized intensive intervention delivered by a trained specialist closes gaps fastest — see our resources for how to evaluate providers.