Private Tutors and Coaches for Students with Dyslexia

Spelling is one of the most common areas of difficulty for both children and adults with dyslexia. It isn’t yet understood exactly why this is a problem, although many theories exist. However, as dyslexia impacts memory and sound processing, it is thought that individuals with dyslexia may struggle to break words down into smaller components in order to work out how to spell them, and struggle with memorising which letters represent the sounds within each word. Learning correct spelling by rote may also be challenging due to the impact dyslexia has on memory.

Dyslexic students may struggle with written tasks due to dyslexia’s impact on phonemic and phonological awareness, memory, and organisation. Additionally, dyslexic brains often excel at non-verbal conceptualisation (thinking with pictures of ideas rather than words). Expressing these three-dimensional thoughts in linear language can be a frustrating experience, particularly for individuals with dyslexia.

According to the British Dyslexia Association, 60% of dyslexic learners also have maths learning difficulties. This doesn’t mean dyscalculia, although dyscalculia can occur with dyslexia. Maths challenges can be partly due to how dyslexia affects short and long-term memory. Mathematical terminology and language may also be confusing if explanations are not adapted to the student’s way of understanding.

Dyslexia is a neurological condition which affects language processing, but has no impact on intelligence. However, when someone with dyslexia faces regular challenges in the classroom, their self-confidence can be affected. It is common for students with dyslexia to experience difficulties with motivation and anxiety, which can further complicate tasks like reading and writing. Particularly before diagnosis, they may be told to “try harder,” despite already expending significant effort.

Dyslexic students often have a slower processing speed than their neurotypical peers. This has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather how quickly one can take in, process and use information. Linguistic processing is particularly impacted in dyslexic students, meaning they may require extra time to take in verbal or written information and formulate a response. Being put ‘on the spot’ in class may create stress and anxiety for a dyslexic student if they feel pressured to respond more quickly than they can process. We offer calm and encouraging dyslexia coaching sessions to build up confidence around school; we know how important it is.

Reading tools and speech-to-text software are key assistive technologies we use to support individuals with dyslexia. Your specialist tutor will introduce technologies suited to the learner’s strengths and demonstrate how to use these tools independently at school and home.

Short breaks during study time, and longer breaks when possible, are very important for effective learning. Whether tutoring online or in-person, we ensure students have opportunities for movement breaks. These release endorphins in the brain, significantly lower stress, and improve learning.

We regularly acknowledge student progress. Constructive feedback supports motivation in anyone, but dyslexic learners may need it more. We provide regular updates with practical suggestions to help students and their families develop their skills at home, between tutoring sessions.

Our dyslexia tutors use visual aids when teaching, such as charts, diagrams, and colour-coded materials to make abstract concepts more concrete, creating an engaging, accessible learning environment that supports the strengths of students with dyslexia. Our coaches may also use assistive technology in their sessions, or recommend effective software, apps and tools that may help with the student’s personal study.

Our dyslexia tutors provide encouragement by acknowledging all progress, which helps keep students motivated and confident. We create a supportive learning environment focused on using student strengths and developing effective coping strategies. This approach helps students with dyslexia grow in self-confidence and engage more positively with learning.

Each dyslexic student is unique, with their own individual strengths, challenges and interests. Our tutors take time to get to know each student, tailoring their methods to best accommodate their learning needs.

We work with students and parents to ensure that their tutoring sessions are tailored to their unique needs. We ensure that they feel academically supported by paying special attention to areas of challenge within their subject, and always ensure that teaching methods are adapted to suit their learning strengths and needs. We believe each student benefits from an approach tailored to their academic goals, rather than one-size-fits-all tuition.

A tutor who understands dyslexia can help students understand why their brains struggle with certain activities and provide tutoring methods and coping strategies better suited to accommodating these struggles. On the other side of the coin, a tutor who understands dyslexia also understands the strengths that come with this type of brain-wiring, adapting teaching methods to allow those strengths to develop. This approach helps students with dyslexia feel understood and capable, thereby increasing their confidence.