Parents often sense something isn’t quite right long before anyone else names it. Your child may be bright, curious, and full of ideas, yet reading feels tiring. Words get mixed up, spelling feels hard to hold onto, and homework can sometimes end in frustration instead of confidence.

Many families share this experience. Research shows that dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting a significant portion of children and adults, with estimates suggesting that around 15–20% of people have a language-based learning difficulty like dyslexia.

For many children with dyslexia, the challenge is not effort; it’s that their brain processes language differently. That is why traditional advice like “just read more” often doesn’t bring relief. What tends to help is teaching that uses more than one sense at a time.

This guide explores multisensory reading programs for dyslexia, why they work, and how you can recognise support that truly meets your child’s needs.

At A Glance

• Dyslexia affects how children process written language, not intelligence or effort.

• Multisensory reading programs help by using sight, sound, movement, and speech together.

• These approaches support memory, confidence, and decoding skills more gently and effectively.

• The best programs offer clear instruction, structured progression, repetition, and emotional safety.

• FunFox Readers Club supports struggling readers through small groups, research-informed teaching, and confidence-building practice.

• With the right support, children can begin to enjoy reading and believe in their own ability again.

What Is Dyslexia, Really?

Dyslexia is not about intelligence or effort. It is a difference in how the brain processes written language. Children with dyslexia often:

• Struggle to match sounds to letters

• Find spelling difficult even after repeated practice

• Read slowly and with effort

• Forget the words they have learned before

• Avoid reading because it feels stressful

Many children with dyslexia are highly creative thinkers. They simply need teaching that works with their learning style rather than against it.

What Are Multisensory Reading Programs?

Multisensory reading programs teach literacy using more than one pathway at the same time. Instead of only seeing words on a page, children are also encouraged to:

• Hear the sounds

• Say the sounds aloud

• Trace letters with movement

• Use rhythm, actions, or visual cues

• Engage their body while learning

This approach helps strengthen memory, understanding, and the connection between sounds and symbols.

Multisensory reading programs for dyslexia are especially helpful because they reduce reliance on just one learning channel.

Why Multisensory Approaches Support Dyslexic Learners?

Many children with dyslexia understand ideas clearly but struggle when learning relies on only one method, such as reading silently or listening alone. Multisensory approaches offer a more supportive pathway by engaging different parts of the brain at the same time, which can make learning feel more accessible and less frustrating.

These approaches support dyslexic learners in several meaningful ways:

• They strengthen memory through multiple pathways: When children see, hear, say, and move with language together, new learning tends to stick more easily.

• They make abstract concepts more concrete: Sounds, letters, and word patterns become experiences rather than ideas children are expected to memorise.

• They reduce cognitive overload: Skills are broken into smaller, supported steps, helping children focus without feeling overwhelmed.

• They support attention and engagement: Movement and interaction often help children stay present and involved during learning.

• They protect confidence while skills develop: Multisensory activities often feel more playful and less pressured, which encourages persistence and willingness to try.

Not all multisensory programs apply these principles in the same way. Understanding what strong programs include can help you choose support that truly meets your child’s needs.

What to Look for in Multisensory Reading Programs for Dyslexia?

Not every program that calls itself “multisensory” will truly support a child with dyslexia. Some use the word because it sounds appealing, while the actual teaching still relies heavily on worksheets or passive learning. Knowing what to look for can help you choose support that genuinely meets your child’s needs.

Strong multisensory reading programs for dyslexia usually include:

• Explicit teaching of sounds and letters: Children are clearly shown how sounds connect to letters instead of being expected to guess or work it out alone.

• Structured progression of skills: Learning moves from simple to more complex in a logical sequence, which helps children feel oriented rather than lost.

• Regular opportunities for repetition and review: Dyslexic learners often need more practice to build automaticity, and good programs build this in naturally.

• Use of movement, speech, and visual cues together: Activities might include saying sounds aloud, tracing letters, tapping syllables, or using gestures to support memory.

• Small-group or individual attention: Personalised guidance allows teachers to notice when a child is stuck and adjust support in real time.

• A calm, encouraging learning environment: Children learn more readily when mistakes are treated as part of the process, not something to be corrected harshly.

With these features in mind, it becomes easier to evaluate specific programs and see how different approaches put multisensory teaching into practice.

Also Read: How to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills

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Best 10 Multisensory Reading Programs for Dyslexia

When a child has dyslexia, reading instruction that uses more than one sense at a time, sight, hearing, movement, and speech, often leads to stronger progress. Multisensory reading programs support decoding, memory, and confidence by helping the brain build deeper connections between sounds and symbols. 

Below are ten multisensory approaches that families and educators often rely on for dyslexia support.

1. FunFox Readers Club

FunFox Readers Club offers research-informed, multisensory-inspired reading support through small, interactive online sessions. Lessons are designed to support children with dyslexia by combining clear instruction with warmth, routine, and encouragement.

Children are guided to connect sounds, words, and meaning through active participation, rather than passive worksheets, which often feel more accessible for struggling readers.

Key features:

• Small-group sessions that allow teachers to notice individual needs and respond in real time

• Explicit teaching of phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

• Interactive activities that encourage children to listen, speak, read, and engage together

• Calm, supportive teaching style that protects confidence and reduces reading anxiety

• Predictable routines that help dyslexic learners feel safe and supported.

2. Orton-Gillingham

A highly structured, multisensory approach created specifically for learners with dyslexia. Instruction is personalised and builds skills step by step.

Key features:

• Explicit teaching of sounds, letters, and spelling patterns

• Uses movement, speaking, listening, and visual cues together

• Lessons follow a clear, predictable sequence

• Frequent revision to strengthen memory

3. Wilson Reading System

A structured literacy program based on Orton-Gillingham principles, commonly used for older struggling readers and students with diagnosed dyslexia.

Key features:

• Step-by-step phonics instruction from simple to complex

• Strong focus on decoding multisyllabic words

• Regular review of previously learned skills

• Emphasis on spelling patterns and word structure

• Built-in assessment to monitor progress

4. Barton Reading & Spelling System

Designed for parents and tutors as well as teachers, Barton offers structured, multisensory lessons for children with moderate to severe dyslexia.

Key features:

• Fully scripted lessons for clarity and consistency

• Strong focus on sound-to-letter connections

• Multisensory activities using tiles, tapping, and speaking

• Cumulative structure, so skills build gradually

• Frequent practice to support long-term retention

5. Lindamood-Bell (LiPS & Seeing Stars)

This approach focuses on helping children become more aware of sounds and visual word patterns, supporting both decoding and word recognition.

Key features:

• Builds awareness of how sounds feel in the mouth

• Uses imagery to support memory for letters and words

• Strengthens phonemic awareness in struggling readers

• Often helpful for children with severe decoding difficulty

6. Read Write Inc. Phonics

A structured phonics program used in many classrooms, combining sound learning with reading practice and group participation.

Key features:

• Systematic phonics is taught in a clear progression

• Regular oral participation (say it, read it, write it)

• Predictable lesson routines for consistency

• Group-based learning that encourages confidence

• Integration of decoding and comprehension

7. Nessy Learning Program

A game-based literacy program designed specifically for dyslexic learners, using playful multisensory activities.

Key features:

• Interactive games using sound, visuals, and movement

• Engaging characters and stories that motivate learners

• Structured phonics embedded in short activities

• Supports spelling, reading, and fluency together

• Progress tracking for parents and teachers

8. Lexia Core5 Reading

A technology-based literacy program that adapts to each child’s level and uses interactive, multisensory learning tasks.

Key features:

• Personalised learning pathways based on performance

• Activities combine listening, reading, clicking, and visual cues

• Strong focus on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension

• Regular progress data for parents and educators

• Supports independent practice alongside instruction

9. Read Naturally

A program designed to build reading fluency using repetition, modelling, and structured practice.

Key features:

• Combines listening to fluent reading with rereading the text

• Strong focus on building accuracy and pacing

• Progress monitoring to track improvement

• Supports comprehension alongside fluency

• Encourages independent reading confidence

• Often helpful for older struggling readers

10. Speech to Print (Cognitive Foundations)

A linguistically structured approach that teaches children how spoken language connects to written language.

Key features:

• Focus on phonology, morphology, and word structure

• Emphasises understanding how words are built

• Uses hands-on activities for sound and word manipulation

• Supports both decoding and spelling development

• Helpful for learners who need a deeper language structure

Also Read: Narrative Writing in Kindergarten: Steps, Examples, and Tips

Seeing the range of available programs can feel overwhelming. The next step is narrowing those options based on what will work best for your child.

How to Choose the Best Multisensory Reading Program for Your Child

With so many multisensory reading programs for dyslexia available, it’s normal to feel unsure about which one is right. The “best” program isn’t always the most popular one. It’s the one that fits your child’s needs, personality, and learning style.

These points can help guide your decision:

• Look at how your child responds, not just the program name: A strong program should make your child feel more confident and less anxious about reading, even if progress is gradual.

• Check that teaching is clear and structured: Your child should be shown how sounds, letters, and words work instead of being asked to guess or figure it out alone.

• Notice whether the program adapts to your child: Good support adjusts pace, revisits skills when needed, and doesn’t rush children through content they haven’t yet understood.

• Pay attention to emotional safety: Children with dyslexia often carry frustration. A suitable program uses encouragement, gentle feedback, and celebrates effort, not perfection.

• Ask about practice and repetition: Dyslexic learners usually need more opportunities to revisit skills. Strong programs build this into lessons naturally.

• Consider practical fit for your family: Think about schedule, lesson length, group size, and whether your child feels comfortable in the learning environment.

• Trust small signs of progress: Willingness to try, fewer tears, increased participation, or reading a little more smoothly are all meaningful indicators.

Choosing the right program is not about finding something “perfect.” It’s about finding something that helps your child feel supported, capable, and willing to keep going.

Quick Multisensory Techniques You Can Try Right Away

A multisensory approach brings learning to life by engaging sight, sound, touch, and movement at the same time. These techniques are not complicated or time-consuming. They are simple, practical actions that fit naturally into everyday routines and help reinforce understanding in a way that feels real and accessible.

Also Read: Engaging Reading Fluency Games for Students 

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How Does FunFox Support Struggling Readers?

FunFox understands that reading can feel overwhelming for some children, especially when confidence has already taken a hit. Readers Club is designed to make reading practice feel achievable, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable while strengthening the skills that matter most.

Here’s how FunFox supports dyslexic and struggling readers:

• Individual understanding before instruction: We begin by getting to know your child’s strengths and challenges, so support focuses on the areas that will make the biggest difference to fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

• Multisensory teaching that makes learning easier: Lessons combine listening, speaking, visual cues, and interactive activities to help children connect sounds, letters, and meaning more naturally.

• Regular progress tracking: Teachers monitor growth closely and share clear updates with families, so you can see progress and understand how to support learning at home.

• Guidance for parents: Families receive practical strategies to support reading beyond lessons, helping learning feel consistent rather than isolated to class time.

• Alignment with school learning: Where possible, FunFox works alongside classroom approaches so children experience continuity rather than confusion.

• Supportive use of technology: Online tools, interactive activities, and recorded sessions allow children to practise without pressure and revisit learning at their own pace.

• Confidence built through small groups: Classes are calm, encouraging, and low-pressure. Children are supported to try, make mistakes safely, and gradually build reading confidence.

With FunFox’s Readers Club, your child receives structured, research-informed support in an environment that values patience, encouragement, and steady growth. Reading becomes less stressful, more meaningful, and increasingly achievable over time.

Final Thoughts

Supporting a struggling reader takes patience, understanding, and the right guidance. With gentle structure and consistent encouragement, children can begin to feel more confident and capable in their reading journey.

If you’d like extra support along the way, explore how FunFox Readers Club can help your child build stronger reading skills in a calm, encouraging environment.
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FAQs

1. What are multisensory reading programs for dyslexia?

They are programs that teach reading using more than one sense at a time, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, and movement. This helps children with dyslexia understand and remember sounds, letters, and words more easily.

2. Why do multisensory approaches work well for dyslexic learners?

Many dyslexic children struggle with traditional, single-method teaching. Multisensory learning strengthens memory pathways and reduces frustration by making learning more concrete and engaging.

3. At what age can multisensory reading programs begin?

These approaches can support children from early primary years through to older students. Early support often helps children build confidence before reading difficulties become more stressful.

4. How do I know if my child might benefit from a multisensory program?

You might notice your child guessing words, avoiding reading, reading very slowly, or becoming upset during literacy tasks. These signs often suggest that a different approach could help.

5. Can multisensory programs help children without a dyslexia diagnosis?

Yes. These methods support many learners, especially children who need clearer structure, more repetition, or greater engagement when learning to read.

6. How is FunFox Readers Club suitable for struggling or dyslexic readers?

FunFox uses small-group lessons, clear instruction, multisensory-style activities, and gentle feedback to help children build skills while protecting their confidence.