We began homeschooling in 1996 out of a desire to give our kids the best education possible. By the time our oldest was in first grade, I was completely out of my depth and convinced that I was going to ruin my kids forever. My young son, who was clearly very bright, was struggling to learn to read and spell and my heavily language-based teaching was causing massive frustration for both of us!

A diagnosis of dyslexia at age 7 1/2 was also a diagnosis for his father. Little did I know that dyslexia was genetic. Eight kids later, seven of our kids were diagnosed as dyslexic with a few of her cousins – dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.

Thus began my quest for understanding my bright but struggling learners.

A learning difference, not a disability.

Dyslexia is almost always referred to as a disability. I get it. During the school years, dyslexia makes learning to read, write, and spell extremely difficult. However, since dyslexia is caused by a difference in brain wiring and is NOT a lack of intelligence, I choose to look at dyslexia as a learning difference that requires a different style of teaching.

My search for knowledge led me to become a certified Orton-Gillingham dyslexia tutor. The most important thing I have done to help my kids has been to get educated about what the underlying causes of their learning differences are.

Since those early days of tears and exasperation, we have gone on to successfully homeschool our kids using individualized, multi-sensory, and research-based methods. All people with dyslexia can learn to read, write and spell with the right methods!

You can learn more about our dyslexia journey, including what I wish I’d known when we were getting started, here. 

Below you’ll find our best resources to help you homeschool with confidence