Dyslexia in the Classroom: Signs, Support Strategies, and Success Stories
Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 students, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood learning differences in education today.
In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Khalilian Martinez and Mike Wang sit down with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Dan Peters to explore what dyslexia really is, how to spot it, and what works to support students who learn differently. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or clinician, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and actionable tools.
Rethinking Dyslexia: It’s Not About Intelligence
Dyslexia is a brain-based difference that affects language processing—not a reflection of a student’s intelligence or effort. And yet, when it goes undiagnosed, students often internalize years of shame, anxiety, and academic failure.
Dr. Dan Peters explains that dyslexia can show up in many forms like difficulty decoding words and struggles with spelling or fluency.
And because many students are bright and articulate, their dyslexia is often masked until later grades—sometimes not until middle or high school.
The Problem Isn’t the Student—It’s the System
Many schools still rely on outdated reading instruction methods that aren’t designed for dyslexic learners. Balanced literacy and “cueing” strategies may feel intuitive, but they often fail students who need explicit, structured approaches.
So what works instead?
- Multisensory methods
- Explicit instruction with lots of practice and review
- Early screening and timely intervention
These aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re necessary.
What Doesn’t Work (and What Does)
In our “Real Talk, Real Tools” segment, Lynna and Mike explore small shifts that lead to big growth.
- Catch it early
Universal screening in K–1st grade helps prevent long-term struggles. - Look beyond the page
A student who struggles to read out loud may still comprehend deeply. Flip the script on how “success” looks. - Support the whole child
Remediation is important, but so is rebuilding confidence. Every win counts.
Myth-Busting: What Dyslexia Isn’t
Let’s clear up some of the most common misconceptions:
Myth: Dyslexia just means that you see letters backwards.
Fact: Dyslexia isn’t a vision problem. It’s a language-based learning difference. While some young children may reverse letters like b and d, this is common in all early readers. Dyslexia is about difficulty with phonological processing, decoding, and fluent word recognition, not seeing letters backwards.
Myth: Some kids can outgrow dyslexia.
Fact: Dyslexia is lifelong, but with the right support, students can learn to read and thrive academically. Early intervention, structured literacy instruction, and appropriate accommodations can help students develop strong reading skills, but they don’t “outgrow” dyslexia.
Myth: If a student can read, then they don’t have dyslexia.
Fact: Many students with dyslexia learn to read, but it may take them more time, effort, or support than their peers. They might rely on memorization or context clues to compensate. Reading fluently and automatically is often still a challenge, even if they appear to “keep up.”
The Science Behind the Struggle
In our “Research Roundup,” Mike and Lynna share insights that reframe dyslexia through the lens of neuroscience:
- Reading is not natural – The brain wasn’t wired to read; it must be taught (Wolf, 2007).
- Dyslexia is common – Affects up to 20% of the population (Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity).
- Early support is key – Without it, academic gaps and emotional fallout can persist for years (Torgesen et al., 2001).
- Teacher training matters – Only 17% of teachers feel very well prepared to teach dyslexic students (NCLD, 2021).
These findings reinforce the urgency of changing how we teach and how we think.
What Thriving Looks Like
Dyslexic students don’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be understood and taught in ways that align with how they learn best.
After personalized instruction at Fusion, students often rediscover confidence, joy, and pride in their learning. In our “Family Voices” segment, one parent shares how individualized support transformed their child’s relationship with reading and school.
Take the Learning DNA Quiz
Every student’s learning profile is unique. Take our quick Learning DNA Quiz to better understand how your child processes information and get personalized tips to support their reading growth.
And if this episode helped you better understand dyslexia, please rate and share the show on Spotify or subscribe on YouTube. Your support helps us reach more families and educators who need support.
