How Do I Choose the Right Tutor for My Child with Dyslexia?
- Melissa Minnick
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: May 11
What to look for, questions to ask, and how the right support can make all the difference
For children with dyslexia, the right tutor uses an evidence-based, structured literacy approach that is explicit, systematic, multisensory, and requires mastery at every level. If school instruction is insufficient or progress is slow, a qualified tutor can build essential skills, enhance fluency, and close academic gaps.
Why the Right Tutor Matters
If you feel like your child isn’t reading like their classmates, trust your gut; you’re likely not imagining a real difference in how they’re learning to read.
Many families are told to "wait"
Wait for progress
Wait for interventions
Wait and see if things get better on their own
But when a child is struggling to read, "waiting" delays the implementation of the specific reading intervention they need to thrive.
Working with a tutor who specializes in a structured literacy approach can transform not just their reading; it builds confidence across everything they do.
What a Tutor Actually Does
Building Foundational Skills
Students with dyslexia need clear, step-by-step instruction on how language works.
Structured literacy teaches letter sounds and "sound-symbol" relationships in a clear, sequential, and cumulative way. A comprehensive structured literacy curriculum also includes practice with phonemic awareness skills and learning to identify non-decodable words. The student masters one level before moving to the next, so they never feel lost.
Building Automaticity and Fluency
Once the basics are down, the goal is automaticity, the ability to decode words quickly and accurately. First, students read words in a list fluently. Then they begin reading sentences within controlled texts. Controlled texts are stories and passages that include the concepts and words that they have been taught up to that point in their instruction. Eventually, the child will learn to apply all that they have learned about decoding and identifying non-decodable words to reading grade-level passages and books fluently. Without consistent and structured fluency practice, kids can often stall or even lose progress. Regular sessions give them the repetition they need to make reading feel second nature.
Boosting Performance Everywhere
In early grades, kids learn to read. By third grade, they read to learn. This shift is a very important moment in a child’s education. When reading and understanding grade-level material is a struggle, subjects like science or history become overwhelming. Grades across all subjects begin to drop. This takes a heavy mental toll on children with dyslexia.
With the help of a qualified tutor and appropriate instruction in school, their reading will improve. As their reading improves, you'll likely see them start to shine in all subjects… and their self-esteem will soar.
How to Choose the Right Tutor (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Look for Structured Literacy Instruction
Students with dyslexia should be taught using a multisensory, structured, explicit, and systematic approach. This type of instruction is essential, not optional, for meaningful progress.
Step 2: Prioritize Training and Certification
Not all tutors are trained to teach students with dyslexia. Look for tutors trained in Orton-Gillingham–based programs such as Wilson, Barton, SPIRE, Lindamood-Bell, or Sounds in Syllables. Tutors trained in these programs are equipped to adjust instruction to your child’s specific needs.
Step 3: Understand Tutor Qualifications
Not all tutors have the same level of training. Understanding these differences can help you avoid wasted time and ensure your child receives effective instruction. Download our free guide, Remediation Experts, to better understand who’s who in the world of dyslexia support.
Step 4: Make Sure They’re the Right Fit for Your Child
Qualifications matter, but so does connection. A tutor should be able to engage your child, adapt to their learning style, and make sessions productive and positive.
For example, a child with dyslexia and ADHD may benefit from a tutor who incorporates movement, games, and structured breaks into lessons.
Common Parent Questions
Do all children with dyslexia need a tutor?
No. Every child and family situation is different. Some students receive appropriate support through their school, while others may need additional help. The key is whether your child is making meaningful progress.
What are the benefits of working with a tutor?
A qualified tutor can help build and maintain foundational reading skills, improve fluency, and prevent regression. With consistent, targeted instruction, students can make significant gains, sometimes even advancing 2 grade levels over the course of 1 year of targeted intervention that is provided with the appropriate intensity and frequency.
What if my child is resistant to tutoring?
This is common. A few strategies can help:
Find the right fit: Connection matters just as much as credentials
Schedule sessions in the morning: Students often perform better earlier in the day
Use incentives: Motivation can look different for every child; get creative
Build in breaks: Balance consistency with time to rest and recharge
Can tutoring help during school breaks?
Yes. Breaks in the school year can be an opportunity to maintain progress and even accelerate growth. With fewer academic demands, students can focus more fully on building their reading skills.
When Is the Best Time to Start Tutoring?
There’s no single “perfect” time, but there are strategic moments when tutoring can be effective:
End of the school year: Identify gaps and make a plan
Summer: Focused instruction without competing academic demands
Start of the school year: Prevent falling further behind
The most important factor is not when you start, but whether your child is getting the right kind of support.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Choosing the right tutor can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already trying to make sense of your child’s reading struggles.
But here’s what matters most: Your child can learn to read with the right instruction.
When you understand what to look for and what questions to ask, you’re no longer guessing. You’re making informed, confident decisions that move your child forward.
If you’re not sure whether tutoring is the right next step, or what kind of support your child actually needs, that’s exactly what we help families figure out every day.
Talk With an Advocate
Schedule a complimentary discovery call with a Certified Dyslexia Advocate
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