How to Find the Right Structured Literacy Support for Your Child
When your child is struggling to read, it’s hard to know where to begin—or which programs actually work. This guide breaks down the most trusted, research-based approaches for helping children with dyslexia. You’ll learn what Structured Literacy is, how it’s delivered, and how to choose between school-based services, private tutors, and at-home programs.
As a parent, you don’t need to become a reading expert—but understanding a few core ideas can help you ask better questions and recognize what real support looks like. Not all reading programs are designed for kids with dyslexia, and not every school uses the methods that actually work. This guide will help you feel more confident in spotting what your child needs—and how to get started.
What Is Structured Literacy?
Structured Literacy is a way of teaching reading that is explicit, systematic, and research-based. It’s designed to help all kids learn to read—but it’s especially effective for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
Structured Literacy teaches the essential building blocks of reading in a clear, step-by-step way. These building blocks include:
- Phonology (understanding and working with sounds in spoken words)
- Phonics (matching sounds to letters)
- Spelling rules and patterns
- Morphology (word parts like prefixes and suffixes)
- Fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
This approach is not one-size-fits-all—it’s systematic and cumulative, meaning it builds on what a child already knows, with lots of review and practice.
Some general education reading programs now follow the Science of Reading, which is a major improvement for all students. But even these are not designed to meet the needs of students with dyslexia. Children with dyslexia need more: instruction that is not only research-based, but also intensive, individualized, and diagnostic.
Two Pathways: Orton-Gillingham vs. Speech-to-Print
Structured Literacy programs all follow the same core principles, but they start from different places.
Orton-Gillingham–Based Programs
Orton-Gillingham (OG)–based programs are the most widely known and commonly used approach to Structured Literacy—especially in schools and private tutoring. If your child is receiving any kind of dyslexia intervention, there’s a good chance it’s OG-based.
These programs start with letters and spelling patterns, then teach the sounds they make. This is often called a print-to-speech method—but most parents and schools simply refer to it as “OG” or “OG-based.”
- Based on the Orton-Gillingham (OG) method
- Examples: Wilson Reading System, Barton Reading & Spelling, SPIRE
- Most school-based dyslexia specialists and certified private tutors use this model
OG is a method—not a single program. Some providers use an OG-based program like Wilson or Barton. Others teach directly using the OG method and adapt it to the student.
Speech-to-Print Programs
These start with spoken sounds—helping the child build strong sound awareness first—and then connect those sounds to written letters.
- Focused on phonemic awareness, articulation, and oral language
- May work better for kids with lower working memory, slower processing speed, or more severe dyslexia who haven’t made progress with OG-based programs
- Examples: LiPS (Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing), EBLI, Phono-Graphix
Both approaches are backed by research. The difference is where the teaching begins—and what type of student may benefit most.
Where (and How) Your Child Can Get Structured Literacy Support
Once you understand what Structured Literacy is, the next step is figuring out how to get it for your child. Below are the five main delivery models, with examples and tips to help you choose.
1- School-Based Dyslexia Programs (Public or Private)
Many schools use Structured Literacy as part of special education services or intervention (RTI/MTSS). If your child has an IEP or is receiving reading intervention, it may already be happening—though not always by name.
👉 *If you’re not sure how to begin the process of getting a dyslexia diagnosis through school, check out our article: Can Schools Diagnose Dyslexia?
Common school-based Structured Literacy programs:
- Wilson Reading System
- SPIRE
- Take Flight (used in some states)
- Sonday System (OG-based and highly scripted, often used by school staff with less formal OG training)
- OG-trained special education staff
These programs follow Structured Literacy principles: they are explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory. They are typically used for Tier 3 support or as part of an IEP.
To be truly effective, they do require a good deal of teacher training and following the programs as designed ( “implemented with fidelity”). Just because a teacher is called a “reading specialist” doesn’t guarantee they’re trained in Structured Literacy or OG-based programs. Many are trained in general literacy instruction, but dyslexia intervention often requires a different level of expertise.
🔹 Other Programs Often Used in Schools (But Not Full Interventions)
Some schools also use supplemental tools to support reading instruction. These can be helpful for reinforcing skills like fluency, decoding, or phonics practice—but they are not sufficient to meet the needs of most students with dyslexia on their own.
These tools do have value, especially when used alongside a full Structured Literacy program. They can help build confidence, strengthen automaticity, and support general reading development.
Examples of supplemental programs:
- Lexia Core5 (adaptive, phonics-based software used school-wide or for Tier 2 support)
- Read Naturally (targets fluency using repeated reading strategies)
- Rewards (used in upper grades to teach decoding of multisyllabic words)
💡 If your school is using one of these tools, ask what additional Structured Literacy instruction your child is receiving—and whether the provider is trained to deliver it effectively.
2- Private Local Dyslexia Tutors (In-Person or Virtual)
These are trained reading specialists or tutors who work one-on-one with your child outside of school. Many work in person—but some also offer sessions over Zoom or another video platform.
Where to find certified tutors:
- Ask your local parent support group or Facebook dyslexia group
- Search tutor directories from programs like the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners, Wilson, or Barton
- Some families also work with Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers, which offer in-person or online intensive instruction using their own structured programs, like LiPS and Seeing Stars
- Check with local organizations for tutor lists such as private schools that specialize in dyslexia or look for free dyslexia centers run by the Scottish Rite
Questions to ask before hiring:
- What program do you use? Is it OG-based?
- Are you certified or trained in that program?
- Do you offer in-person or remote sessions?
- How often do you recommend meeting?
- Do you provide progress updates?
3. Online Dyslexia Tutoring Services
Online dyslexia tutoring services can be a convenient and accessible way to get Structured Literacy instruction—especially if you can’t find a trained tutor nearby. But it’s important to know that these services are not just virtual versions of local tutoring.
Most online tutoring platforms are specialized services with their own:
- Proprietary teaching methods
- Trained staff tutors
- Lesson platforms and digital tools
- Internal certification or training systems
They typically follow Structured Literacy principles, but the exact method may be different from traditional programs like Wilson or Barton.
Examples of online services:
- NOW! Programs (intensive online instruction using a proprietary evidence-based approach)
- Lexercise, Therapy plan (live 1:1 online OG-based instruction with built-in digital practice tools)
- EBLI Connect (offers virtual instruction using the EBLI speech-to-print approach)
- Dyslexia On Demand (1:1 instruction by highly trained CALTs using the Take Flight program)
Key features to compare:
- Is the method OG-based, speech-to-print, or company-designed?
- Will your child work with the same tutor each session?
- What’s the session frequency, length, and cost?
- Do they offer assessments or progress reports?
- How much parent involvement is expected?
Pros:
✅ National access—no matter where you live
✅ Structured systems and built-in progress tracking
✅ May be more affordable or flexible than in-person tutoring
Challenges:
⚠️ May be confusing if a different structured literacy approach is provided at school
⚠️ Varying levels of tutor experience—ask about training and oversight
💡 Tip: Ask if the program follows a specific Structured Literacy method (like OG or speech-to-print), or if the approach is developed in-house. Neither is “better,” but it helps to know what your child is receiving—and how well it’s been tested.
4. At-Home Parent-Led Programs (Books + Kits)
Some families choose to teach reading at home using a scripted, Structured Literacy program.
Common parent-led programs:
- Barton Reading & Spelling (also used in some schools)
- All About Reading
- Logic of English
- Phono-Graphix
How these programs work:
- Include scripted lessons, print materials, and often training videos
- Can be taught by parents with no formal teaching background
- Require a consistent schedule (ideally 4–5 days/week)
Tips for choosing the right one:
- Consider your available time and teaching confidence
- Look for programs with clear instructions and community support (many have Facebook groups)
- Read reviews from other parents or watch walkthroughs on YouTube
Some parents also use more affordable, self-guided programs like Toe by Toe or Hornet Literacy Primer, which are phonics-based manuals designed for non-specialist use at home. These can be a good fit for families looking for simple, structured daily practice—especially for older struggling readers.
5. Digital Apps and Software for Practice (Self-Paced Tools)
These tools are not full interventions, but they can reinforce skills and boost confidence between lessons.
Examples of reinforcement tools:
When and how to use these:
- Use in addition to (not instead of) a Structured Literacy program
- Aim for short, regular sessions (10–20 minutes/day)
- Look for apps based on the Science of Reading—not just “phonics games”
What About Other Programs I’ve Seen?
Some popular reading programs—like Hooked on Phonics, Reading Eggs, or Fast ForWord—may include phonics, but they aren’t considered Structured Literacy. They’re not intensive or systematic enough to support students with dyslexia on their own.
💡 When in doubt, look for programs that are explicit, cumulative, and designed for learners with dyslexia.
Choosing Your Next Step
Most families start with just one of the options above—like school-based support, a tutor, or a home program—and build from there. The right fit depends on your child’s needs, your resources, and what’s already in place. If you’re exploring support through an IEP or 504 Plan, or you’re not sure how to advocate for specific reading instruction at school, you can find more guidance at KidvoKit, our companion resource for IEP support in Massachusetts.
Structured Literacy is not just a buzzword—it’s a proven, research-based way to teach reading that works for children with dyslexia. Whether you choose a school program, private tutor, or home-based solution, the most important thing is that the instruction is explicit, systematic, and delivered by someone trained in the method. With the right approach, your child can make real, lasting progress.
