Every October, we celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on the 1 in 5 kids who learn differently.

But after nearly three decades of homeschooling eight kids (seven with dyslexia!) and mentoring thousands of parents, I’ve learned that awareness alone isn’t enough.

What parents really need is understanding — and a plan for helping their kids thrive.

So today, I’m sharing 10 things most parents don’t know about dyslexia (but should).

1. Dyslexia Has Nothing to Do With Intelligence

Dyslexia can look on the surface like a lack of intelligence. People who have never lived with dyslexia understandably find it hard to comprehend that an intelligent person would struggle with reading and spelling.

The truth is that many dyslexic kids are exceptionally bright. They’re innovative, curious, and often gifted in areas like art, problem-solving, mechanics, and storytelling.

The issue isn’t intelligence — it’s how the brain processes language. Once they’re taught the way their brains learn best, they soar.

2. Early Struggles Don’t Mean Lifelong Struggles

Yes, early intervention helps — but it’s never too late to learn to read and write well.

When parents use explicit, systematic, multi-sensory teaching methods, kids of all ages can make incredible progress. I’ve seen it firsthand, again and again.

3. Dyslexia Isn’t a Vision Problem

Despite the myths, dyslexia isn’t caused by flipping or reversing letters.

It’s a language-based learning difference that affects how the brain connects sounds to written symbols — not how the eyes see words.

Vision therapy may help some kids with tracking issues, but it doesn’t treat dyslexia itself.

4. Reading Programs Alone Aren’t Enough

You can’t simply hand a child a “reading program” and expect results.

What changes everything is when parents truly understand what’s happening inside their child’s brain — and how to teach differently in response.

That’s when learning begins to click and frustration turns into progress.

I created my Parent Education Courses to help parents understand their child’s learning differences.

5. Confidence Is as Important as Curriculum

Many kids with dyslexia carry years of self-doubt. They’ve compared themselves to others and started to believe something’s wrong with them.

Shifting your message from “you’re behind” to “your brain learns differently” can rebuild confidence — and unlock motivation you haven’t seen in years.

After homeschooling and graduating 6 of my 7 dyslexic kids from homeschool high school, I have seen how keeping their confidence in tact by offering them the individualized education they need, has made a HUGE impact on their success as adults.

6. Dyslexia Often Overlaps With Other Learning Differences

It’s common for kids with dyslexia to also experience ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or executive function struggles.
When parents understand how these overlap, they can address the whole child — not just the reading challenges.

I created my Parent Education Courses to help parents understand the many facets of this unique way of learning.

7. Spelling, Writing, and Organization All Connect

Because dyslexia impacts how the brain sequences and retrieves information, challenges often appear beyond reading — in spelling, writing, and even time management.

Once you teach using the same structured, multi-sensory approach across subjects, these areas begin to improve together.

8. Education Is About Growth, Not Just Grades

One of the biggest gifts of homeschooling is freedom — the freedom to teach in a way that fits your child.

When we stop trying to fit our kids into a traditional mold, we rediscover that education is about helping them develop curiosity, creativity, and confidence — not about worksheets or test scores.

9. Parents Are the Most Powerful Teachers

You don’t need a teaching degree or a specialist to make progress.

When parents learn how dyslexic kids learn, they can teach more effectively — and learning becomes joyful again.

You are your child’s best advocate and teacher.

10. Awareness Is the First Step — Action Is the Next

Dyslexia Awareness Month is a wonderful reminder to celebrate our kids’ unique strengths.

But the real change happens when awareness turns into action — when parents learn, adapt, and grow alongside their children.

You have everything you need to help your child succeed. You just need the right tools and understanding to get started.

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Awareness changes nothing without understanding.

Understanding changes everything.

When parents learn how dyslexia works, they can finally stop feeling frustrated and start feeling empowered.

This month, take the time to learn — not just about dyslexia, but about your child.

You’ll both be better for it. 💙

Get help homeschooling your smart but struggling learners.

I offer several ways to get the guidance you need to give your kids the education they really need.

Online, Parent Education Courses: I have a library of online courses to get you up to speed on understanding your child’s learning differences as well as best ways to teach them right at home.

Group Mentoring: Super affordable. We meet twice a month.

1:1 Consulting: Work one-on-one with Marianne. Get your specific questions answered quickly and in a more in depth way.

Read One of my Books: 

Dyslexia 101: Truths, Myths, and What Really Works: For families who are new to dyslexia and homeschooling.

What is Dyslexia? A Parents Guide to Teaching Kids About Dyslexia: For parents wondering how to talk to your kids about dyslexia.

No More School: Meeting the Educational Needs of Kids With Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Difficulties: For parents who know their kids need a different kind of education but struggle stepping outside the box of traditional education.