The 3 Most Common Mistakes Parents Make When Homeschooling Kids with Dyslexia

by Marianne | Dyslexia Information | 0 comments

Homeschooling a child with dyslexia can feel confusing, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting — even when you’re doing everything “right.” Many parents worry their child is falling behind, question their teaching choices, or wonder if homeschooling is supposed to feel this hard.

The truth is, most homeschool stress for dyslexic learners doesn’t come from lack of effort — it comes from using traditional school expectations for kids who learn differently. Below are three of the most common (and completely understandable) mistakes parents make when homeschooling kids with dyslexia — and what to do instead.

1. Trying to “Catch Up” Instead of Teaching Where Your Child Is

One of the most common traps parents fall into is the pressure to close academic gaps as quickly as possible. That pressure often shows up as pushing through curriculum, increasing lesson time, or moving on before foundational skills are solid.

But dyslexic learners don’t benefit from speed.
They benefit from explicit teaching, repetition, and mastery.

When we rush, we often create more frustration and resistance — not better outcomes. Progress may look slower on paper, but it is far more meaningful when skills are built on a solid foundation.

Read this to understand why your kids with dyslexia aren’t behind – even if you think they are.

2. Measuring Success by Traditional School Standards

Another mistake is using traditional school benchmarks as the measure of success.

Grades, checklists, pacing guides, and comparison to peers can make it seem like something is always lacking — even when real learning is happening.

For dyslexic learners, success looks different:

growing confidence
increased independence
skills improving over time
curiosity staying intact

These are the markers that actually predict long-term success.

3. Believing You’re Doing It Wrong

This may be the most damaging mistake of all.

Many parents quietly assume that if homeschooling feels this hard, they must be missing something. They compare themselves to other families, worry they aren’t doing enough, or fear they’re failing their child.

The truth is this:
Homeschooling kids with dyslexia is different.
It requires different priorities, pacing, and expectations.

Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re parenting and teaching a child with a different brain — in a system that was never designed for them.