Our Story: The School Psychologist Told Me Dyslexia Wasn't Real
The founders of Apricot Tree Academy on why they built a dyslexia curriculum parents can teach at home.
Watch & read >Literacy Heroes Blog
Practical, parent-focused guidance on dyslexia, structured literacy, and helping your child learn to read, from the team at Apricot Tree Academy.
Literacy Heroes Podcast
Debra Levy: Winning Dyslexia Services at School
A parent advocate and academic language therapist on Section 504, the Child Find mandate, and how families win services at school.
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Jennifer Hyland: How One Mom Helped Change Dyslexia Laws in Texas
From confused parent to co-founder of the Texas Dyslexia Coalition and school board member: the fight behind HB 3928.
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Megan Nicolas on Writing "Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers"
An occupational therapist and author on her anime-style graphic novel and the best first steps for newly diagnosed families.
Watch & read >Articles & Guides
Dyslexia and Math: Why Word Problems Are Hard and How to Help
Dyslexia usually affects reading the math, not the math. How to support word problems, math facts, and when to suspect dyscalculia.
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Is Your Child’s School Using the Science of Reading? How to Tell
The signs of evidence-aligned reading instruction, the red flags of three-cueing, and the questions to ask your school this fall.
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How to End Homework Battles With Your Dyslexic Child
The meltdown isn’t defiance. It’s an exhausted brain. Homework accommodations to request and an evening routine that lowers the temperature.
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Classroom Accommodations for Dyslexia That Actually Help
The accommodations that matter most for ages 5–10, organized by type, and why they need to be in writing to be enforceable.
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How to Talk to Your Child’s New Teacher About Dyslexia
Start the year as allies. What to share in week one, how to follow up when accommodations drift, with a complete sample letter.
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Homeschooling a Child with Dyslexia: When to DIY and When to Get Help
What you can teach yourself, what belongs to a specialist, and 5 signs it's time to bring in help.
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How to Homeschool a Child with Dyslexia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Six steps to homeschooling a dyslexic child, from choosing a reading program to a routine that sticks.
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Dyslexia Home Curriculum: What to Look For (and What to Avoid)
The 7 features that matter in a dyslexia home curriculum, and the 5 red flags to avoid before you buy.
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A Sample Dyslexia Homeschool Schedule (Daily & Weekly Routine)
A ready-to-use daily and weekly plan built around a 30–60 minute reading block. Copy and adjust.
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Homeschool vs. School for a Dyslexic Child: How to Decide
The trade-offs, the questions to ask, and the hybrid options between homeschool and public school.
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Letter Reversals: When b/d Confusion Is Normal and When to Worry
Reversals are normal through about age 7. Dyslexia is not “seeing backwards.” When to pay attention, and multisensory fixes for b/d.
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Why Sight Words Are So Hard for Dyslexic Kids (and How to Teach Them)
Flashcard drilling by shape fails dyslexic kids. How orthographic mapping really works, and the heart-words routine that sticks.
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Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts and Tools That Actually Help
What the evidence says about special fonts, spacing, text-to-speech, and audiobooks: which tools accommodate, and what actually remediates.
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Famous People With Dyslexia (and What Parents Can Learn From Them)
Henry Winkler, Whoopi Goldberg, Octavia Spencer and more: the honest lessons in their stories, and how to share them with your child.
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A Realistic Summer Reading Routine for Kids with Dyslexia
A 30–60 minute daily structure that survives camp weeks, travel days, and July motivation dips, with a weekly rhythm you can actually keep.
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My Child Was Just Diagnosed with Dyslexia: What Do I Do First?
Just got a dyslexia diagnosis? Here are the first 7 steps every parent should take in the first 30 days.
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What Is Orton-Gillingham and Can I Use It at Home Without Training?
Orton-Gillingham is the gold-standard approach for teaching dyslexic readers. How parents can use it at home.
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Signs of Dyslexia in Children Ages 5–10
A clear, age-by-age guide to the signs of dyslexia in children 5–10 (kindergarten through 4th grade).
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Best Dyslexia Curriculum for Parents With No Teaching Background
What to look for in a dyslexia curriculum designed for parents, and the questions to ask before you buy.
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How to Teach a Dyslexic Child to Read at Home
A practical step-by-step guide for parents teaching a dyslexic child to read at home.
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Dyslexia vs. Reading Delay: What's the Difference?
How to tell them apart, why it matters for intervention, and what to do in each case.
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Dyslexia Tutoring vs. Parent-Led Intervention: Cost, Results, and How to Choose
An honest comparison of professional tutoring and parent-led structured literacy: costs, availability, results, and a decision checklist.
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Should My Dyslexic Child Repeat a Grade? What Research Says
Retention alone doesn’t fix reading. What the research shows, the question to ask instead, and what to request before agreeing to anything.
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Your Child's End-of-Year Reading Scores: What They Actually Mean
Percentiles, grade equivalents, benchmark bands: a plain-English decoder for the end-of-year report, and the questions to ask before summer.
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Best Books to Read Aloud to a Dyslexic Child
Read-aloud picks by age (including stories with dyslexic heroes) and why reading to your child matters more, not less, when reading is hard.
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How to Prevent Summer Reading Loss in Kids with Dyslexia
The summer slide hits struggling readers hardest. A practical plan to protect the skills your child worked all year to build.
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Dyslexia and Writing: How to Help Your Child Get Ideas onto Paper
Your child’s ideas outrun their pencil. Why writing is doubly hard with dyslexia, and how scribing, oral rehearsal, and dictation help.
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How Many Minutes a Day Should My Dyslexic Child Practice Reading?
30–60 minutes of structured practice a day: here’s why that’s the target, how to split it up, and a daily rhythm that families can keep.
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What Is Structured Literacy? A Plain-English Guide for Parents
The approach behind every effective dyslexia program, explained without jargon: what it covers, how it’s taught, and what it looks like at home.
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How Long Does Dyslexia Intervention Take? A Realistic Timeline
Months, not weeks. What progress looks like at 3 months, 6 months, and a year of structured literacy, and when to reassess.
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Can Dyslexia Be Cured? What Science Actually Says
No, and that’s not bad news. What intervention really changes in the brain, what “remediated” looks like, and the cure claims to avoid.
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Why Spelling Is So Hard for Kids with Dyslexia (and What Actually Helps)
Spelling lags behind reading for dyslexic kids, and Friday word lists don’t fix it. What does: explicit, multisensory, pattern-based instruction.
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Decodable Books vs. Leveled Readers: Why It Matters for Dyslexic Kids
Why predictable leveled books train guessing, how decodable text builds real reading, and how to tell which kind your child brings home.
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IEP vs. 504 Plan for Dyslexia: Which Does My Child Need?
A side-by-side comparison of IEPs and 504 plans: what each provides, who qualifies, and how to decide which fits your child’s situation.
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When Should My Child Be Tested for Dyslexia?
Age-by-age guidance on screening and formal evaluation, how to request testing in writing, and why “wait and see” is never the right answer.
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Is Dyslexia Genetic? What Parents Need to Know
Dyslexia runs in families, strongly. What the genetics research means for your child, and why family history is a reason to screen early, not wait.
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Use Schema to Boost Reading Comprehension
A parent-focused guide on use schema to boost reading comprehension. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Free Resources for Parents at Apricot Tree Academy
A parent-focused guide on free resources for parents at apricot tree academy. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Fluent Reading: What is It and Why is It Important?
A parent-focused guide on fluent reading: what is it and why is it important?. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Using Text-to-Speech: A Powerful Tool for Struggling Readers
A parent-focused guide on using text-to-speech: a powerful tool for struggling readers. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Reading Wars: A History of How We Teach Kids to Read
A parent-focused guide on the reading wars: a history of how we teach kids to read. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Unlocking Stories: The Benefits of Audiobooks for Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on unlocking stories: the benefits of audiobooks for dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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5 Essential Components of Literacy: Building Strong Readers
A parent-focused guide on 5 essential components of literacy: building strong readers. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Online Resources for Dyslexic Children
A parent-focused guide on online resources for dyslexic children. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Vocabulary: Building Background Knowledge
A parent-focused guide on vocabulary: building background knowledge. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Defining Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on defining dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Reading and Writing Connection
A parent-focused guide on the reading and writing connection. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Dyslexia Q&A
A parent-focused guide on dyslexia q&a. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Phonemic Awareness: How and Why?
A parent-focused guide on phonemic awareness: how and why?. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Using Assessment to Guide Instruction for Dyslexic Learners
A parent-focused guide on using assessment to guide instruction for dyslexic learners. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Strengths of Dyslexia: Seeing Brilliance Through a Different Lens
A parent-focused guide on strengths of dyslexia: seeing brilliance through a different lens. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Fluency: Tips and Tricks for Growing Confident Readers
A parent-focused guide on fluency: tips and tricks for growing confident readers. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Power of Morphology: Enhancing Reading and Writing Skills
A parent-focused guide on the power of morphology: enhancing reading and writing skills. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Inside Our Dyslexia Intervention Program: Effective Support
A parent-focused guide on inside our dyslexia intervention program: effective support. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Improving Adolescent Literacy
A parent-focused guide on improving adolescent literacy. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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ADHD and Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on adhd and dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Comprehension Strategies
A parent-focused guide on comprehension strategies. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The 7 Syllable Types and How They Help Dyslexic Readers
A parent-focused guide on the 7 syllable types and how they help dyslexic readers. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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When the School Refuses Help: Supporting Your Dyslexic Learner
A parent-focused guide on when the school refuses help: supporting your dyslexic learner. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia: Breaking the Myths
A parent-focused guide on common misconceptions about dyslexia: breaking the myths. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Prep for Your IEP Meeting
A parent-focused guide on prep for your iep meeting. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Empowering Dyslexic Learners Through Assistive Technology
A parent-focused guide on empowering dyslexic learners through assistive technology. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Support at Home
A parent-focused guide on support at home. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Cultivate Positivity
A parent-focused guide on cultivate positivity. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Understanding Your Rights as a Parent of a Dyslexic Child
A parent-focused guide on understanding your rights as a parent of a dyslexic child. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Collaboration With Schools to Support Your Dyslexic Child
A parent-focused guide on collaboration with schools to support your dyslexic child. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Early Intervention: The Key to Reading Success
A parent-focused guide on early intervention: the key to reading success. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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A Little About Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on a little about dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Creating a Flexible Schedule
A parent-focused guide on creating a flexible schedule. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Apricot Tree Academy’s Dyslexia Intervention Program
A parent-focused guide on apricot tree academy’s dyslexia intervention program. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Tips for Supporting Neurodivergent Learners
A parent-focused guide on tips for supporting neurodivergent learners. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Talking About Dyslexia with Your Child
A parent-focused guide on talking about dyslexia with your child. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Handwriting Instruction: Beneficial for All Learners
A parent-focused guide on handwriting instruction: beneficial for all learners. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Dyslexia and Self-Esteem: Nurturing Confidence and Overcoming Challenges
A parent-focused guide on dyslexia and self-esteem: nurturing confidence and overcoming challenges. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Power of Multisensory Activities for Enhanced Learning
A parent-focused guide on the power of multisensory activities for enhanced learning. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Science of Reading: Why It Matters Today
A parent-focused guide on the science of reading: why it matters today. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Empowering Parents: Establishing a Resilient Support Community
A parent-focused guide on empowering parents: establishing a resilient support community. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Finding Balance in Your Dyslexia Child’s Learning Journey
A parent-focused guide on finding balance in your dyslexia child’s learning journey. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Early Signs and Steps Towards Diagnosing Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on early signs and steps towards diagnosing dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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The Umbrella of Phonological Awareness: Building the Foundation for Reading Success
A parent-focused guide on the umbrella of phonological awareness: building the foundation for reading success. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Dyslexia Testing: A Guide for Parents
A parent-focused guide on dyslexia testing: a guide for parents. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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What I Learned As a Parent of Children with Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on what i learned as a parent of children with dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Creating a Learning Environment for Neurodiversity
A parent-focused guide on creating a learning environment for neurodiversity. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Books for Kids with Dyslexia
A parent-focused guide on books for kids with dyslexia. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Dyslexia Books for Parents
A parent-focused guide on dyslexia books for parents. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
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Reading Support
A parent-focused guide on reading support. What it means, why it matters, and how families can use it at home.
Read article >In the News
New Research: Dyslexia Isn’t One Broken Gene, It’s How the Brain Is Networked
A University of Houston review of four decades of genetics research finds dyslexia reflects a broader brain-network vulnerability, not a single faulty “reading gene.” Here’s what it means for your child.
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Older Struggling Readers Are Being Left Behind: Here’s What Parents Need to Know
Most reading reform laws stop at 3rd grade, leaving older struggling readers without support. Here’s what the news means for your child, and why it is never too late to learn to read.
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New State Laws Are Changing How Schools Catch and Teach Dyslexia: What Parents Need to Know
More than 40 U.S. states now have dyslexia laws. Colorado’s new universal screening rule and Georgia’s ban on three-cueing show where reading instruction is headed, and what you can do now.
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Reading Intervention Changes the Brain, and Why the Difference Still Stays
A 2025 Stanford study in Nature Communications scanned dyslexic and typical readers up to five times in one year. Reading intervention grew the brain's word-recognition area and improved reading, but the underlying difference persisted. Here’s what that means for your child.
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The New 2025 Dyslexia Definition: Why It Means Earlier Help for Your Child
In October 2025 the IDA revised its dyslexia definition, dropping the IQ-gap model so kids get help sooner, regardless of intelligence.
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The Largest Genetic Study of Dyslexia Ever Done: What It Means for Your Child
A new study of 1.2 million people found dyslexia is highly genetic and brain-based, not laziness. Here’s what it means for parents.
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Reading Scores Hit a New Low: What the 2024 Nation’s Report Card Means for Your Child
The 2024 NAEP results show U.S. reading scores fell again, with 40% of 4th graders below “Basic.” Here’s what it means for your child.
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AI Reading Tools and Dyslexia: What Apple’s Award to Speechify Means for Your Child
At WWDC 2025, Apple named the text-to-speech app Speechify a winner of its Apple Design Awards for inclusivity. Here’s what AI reading tools can and cannot do for a child with dyslexia.
Read article >Book Reviews
Book Review: Knees
A parent-focused review of Knees: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: The Dyslexia Empowerment
A parent-focused review of The Dyslexia Empowerment: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Here’s Hank
A parent-focused review of Here’s Hank: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: The Dyslexic Advantage
A parent-focused review of The Dyslexic Advantage: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Thank You, Mr. Falker
A parent-focused review of Thank You, Mr. Falker: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Language at the Speed of Sight
A parent-focused review of Language at the Speed of Sight: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It?
A parent-focused review of Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It? What works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Being Henry
A parent-focused review of Being Henry: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Hacking the Code
A parent-focused review of Hacking the Code: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers
A parent-focused review of Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Reading in the Brain
A parent-focused review of Reading in the Brain: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Did You Say Pasghetti?
A parent-focused review of Did You Say Pasghetti? What works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: One in Five
A parent-focused review of One in Five: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: My Name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt
A parent-focused review of My Name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
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Book Review: Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.
A parent-focused review of Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D: what works in the book, what to watch for, and whether it earns a place on your shelf.
Read article >Success Stories
Monica’s Success Story
A real family using the Apricot Tree Academy approach. What they tried, what worked, and what changed for their child.
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Rick’s Success Story
A real family using the Apricot Tree Academy approach. What they tried, what worked, and what changed for their child.
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Mark’s Success Story
A real family using the Apricot Tree Academy approach. What they tried, what worked, and what changed for their child.
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Sarah’s Success Story
A real family using the Apricot Tree Academy approach. What they tried, what worked, and what changed for their child.
Read article >Announcements
Press Release: Announcing Our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum
News and updates from Apricot Tree Academy on programs, materials, and community initiatives.
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Applications Closing Soon! Join our Beta Test for Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum
News and updates from Apricot Tree Academy on programs, materials, and community initiatives.
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Dyslexia Intervention – Beta Test
News and updates from Apricot Tree Academy on programs, materials, and community initiatives.
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