What should I write in my child's IEP to help with dyslexia?

Some common accommodations in IEPs or 504 plans for kids with dyslexia include:

• audiobooks
• access to technology for dictation
• access to test questions and answer choices read aloud
• use of mnemonic devices
• access to text to speech (TTS) and speech to text (STT) apps
• masking (blocking or whiting out) unnecessary content (such as navigational buttons, menu, additional questions, etc.) so students can focus on tests, classwork, and homework one step at a time
• front-of-the-room seating
• brain breaks
• reading chunked into smaller sections
• materials provided in larger print
• access to teacher notes
• alternate testing environments
• extended time on tests
• utilization of a reader and/or a scribe
• being allowed to take photos of the classroom board and/or homework requirements

Parents can also collaborate with teachers to think about high-interest books and reading material that is lower in demand than grade level to keep kids interested and practicing their reading basics. It’s equally important to encourage kids to listen to audiobooks at their grade level and beyond.

For more information, see our article Dyslexia 101.