IEP Accommodations for Dyslexia

About Dyslexia and IEP Accommodations

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects reading accuracy, fluency, and spelling. Students with dyslexia often have strong verbal reasoning and comprehension skills but struggle to decode written words. Without proper accommodations, they may fall behind in every subject that requires reading.

Key accommodations for dyslexia include text-to-speech technology, audiobooks, extended time on reading-heavy tasks, and alternative ways to demonstrate knowledge. Your child should not be penalized for spelling errors on content-area tests (science, social studies) when spelling is not the skill being assessed.

Dyslexia-specific interventions (like Orton-Gillingham-based instruction) are different from accommodations. Your child likely needs both: intervention to build reading skills and accommodations to access grade-level content while those skills develop. Make sure the IEP includes both, and that accommodations are available in every class.

Browse Accommodations by Category

Reading & Literacy Testing & Assessment Assistive Technology

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All Dyslexia Accommodations

70 accommodations for students with Dyslexia, with plain-English explanations for parents.

Allow extended time (1.5x or 2x) on tests and quizzes

Your child gets extra time (usually 1.5 or 2 times the normal amount) to finish tests and quizzes, so they can show what they really know without time pressure.

Testing & Assessment

Read aloud test questions and directions to student

The teacher reads test questions aloud to your child so they can understand what's being asked without having to read it themselves.

Testing & Assessment

Use text-to-speech (TTS) software on computerized tests

Your child uses a computer program that reads test questions aloud while they read along, helping them access the content.

Testing & Assessment

Allow use of highlighters or bookmarks during testing

Your child can mark or highlight important information in the test booklet to help them focus and review later.

Testing & Assessment

Use colored overlays or special filters during testing

Your child uses a colored transparency placed over the test to reduce glare or make text easier to read.

Testing & Assessment

Provide test in digital format instead of paper-based

Your child takes the test on a computer where they can use text-to-speech, change font size, or use other digital tools.

Testing & Assessment

Provide word bank for fill-in-the-blank questions

For questions where your child fills in blanks, they're given a list of words to choose from instead of recalling from memory.

Testing & Assessment

Ensure accessibility features are tested in advance

The school tests all of your child's accommodations (like text-to-speech) on the actual test before they take it for real.

Testing & Assessment

Provide text-to-speech software for reading assignments and assessments

Your child can listen to digital text read aloud by a computer voice, allowing them to access grade-level content while building reading skills.

Reading & Literacy

Assign a human reader to read text, passages, and test items aloud

An adult will read assignments, test questions, and passages aloud to your child so they can focus on understanding content rather than decoding words.

Reading & Literacy

Provide high-contrast or color-overlay materials

Your child uses colored overlays or materials with dark text on light backgrounds to reduce visual stress and improve focus when reading.

Reading & Literacy

Highlight key vocabulary, directions, and critical information in texts

The teacher will highlight or mark important words, definitions, and directions in advance so your child knows what to focus on when reading.

Reading & Literacy

Provide audiobooks or audio versions of texts

Your child can listen to audiobook recordings of novels, stories, and textbooks to access grade-level literature while building reading fluency.

Reading & Literacy

Provide chapter summaries or study guides before reading assignments

Your child gets a written or verbal summary of key points before reading a chapter or story, so they know what to look for and can follow along better.

Reading & Literacy

Allow student to read text aloud to self before answering questions

Your child can quietly read passages or test items aloud to themselves to help with comprehension and focus before selecting an answer.

Reading & Literacy

Provide vocabulary lists, glossaries, or word banks

Your child has access to a list of difficult words with definitions before or during reading so they can look up unfamiliar terms independently.

Reading & Literacy

Reduce the amount of text per page or shorten reading passages

Your child works with shorter passages or fewer items per page so they don't feel overwhelmed and can maintain focus while reading.

Reading & Literacy

Provide reading materials at a lower reading level on the same topic

Your child reads a different book or version of the same story that uses simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences, but covers the same main ideas.

Reading & Literacy

Exclude reading fluency or oral reading from grades

Your child's grade is based on what they understand from reading, not how fast or smoothly they can read aloud in front of others.

Reading & Literacy

Provide discussion questions or reading guides in advance

Your child receives a list of questions before reading a book or passage so they know what information to look for and can prepare for class discussion.

Reading & Literacy

Use page numbers and section markers to help locate information

Your child gets specific page numbers or section headings when asked to find an answer in a text so they can locate information quickly without scanning.

Reading & Literacy

Provide textbooks and materials for home use the night before

Your child gets to take home materials the day before class so they can preview the reading and come prepared to participate and understand lessons.

Reading & Literacy

Use colored overlays or tinted lenses to reduce visual stress

Your child places a colored overlay on top of the page or wears tinted glasses to reduce glare and make text easier to read comfortably.

Reading & Literacy

Allow peer readers to read passages or questions aloud

A classmate can read aloud to your child during group work or independent reading time to provide support in an inclusive way.

Reading & Literacy

Provide notes, handouts, and assignments in digital or audio formats

Your child receives digital copies or audio files of classroom materials so they can use assistive technology and access content in the format that works best.

Reading & Literacy

Use index cards or graphic organizers to track main ideas and themes

Your child uses visual tools like concept maps or note cards to organize and remember the important ideas from what they've read.

Reading & Literacy

Provide alternative to reading aloud in front of the class

Instead of reading aloud to classmates, your child may read one-on-one with a teacher, record a reading, or participate in other ways to show comprehension.

Reading & Literacy

Use assistive technology to support reading (text-to-speech, digital readers)

Your child has access to digital tools and apps designed to help them read independently, such as e-readers with built-in read-aloud features.

Reading & Literacy

Provide reading material at appropriate interest level despite reading level

Your child chooses books and stories that match their interests and age level even if the vocabulary is easier, so they stay engaged and motivated.

Reading & Literacy

Use minimal visual clutter and uncluttered page layouts

Your child's worksheets and reading materials use clear spacing and simple layouts so there's less visual information to process at once.

Reading & Literacy

Provide digital text that can be adjusted for font, spacing, and color

Your child receives reading materials in digital format so they can customize the text size, font style, spacing, and background color for comfort.

Reading & Literacy

Build in extra time for reading tasks and reading comprehension assessments

Your child gets additional time (usually 1.5 or 2 times the normal amount) to complete reading assignments and tests so they can work at their pace.

Reading & Literacy

Provide visual aids, graphic organizers, or models of completed work

The teacher will show pictures, examples, or finished samples of what your child should create or do, so they can see the goal clearly.

Directions & Instruction Delivery

Pre-teach vocabulary and concepts before lessons begin

Your child will learn important new words and ideas ahead of time, in a smaller group or one-on-one, so classroom lessons make more sense.

Directions & Instruction Delivery

Highlight or color-code written directions on worksheets and assignments

Key words in the directions on your child's paper will be highlighted or marked with color, so the important information stands out.

Directions & Instruction Delivery

Rephrase or simplify test directions and written assignment wording

On tests and assignments, if directions use complex or confusing language, the teacher will rewrite them in simpler, clearer words.

Directions & Instruction Delivery

Read instructions aloud and repeat them without judgment

The teacher will read out loud what's written on worksheets and tests, and will repeat instructions as many times as your child needs.

Directions & Instruction Delivery

Allow spell-check and grammar-check software

Your child can use computer tools that automatically check spelling and grammar in their writing, helping them catch mistakes without relying on memory.

Writing & Handwriting

Do not grade spelling on handwritten assignments

Your child's handwritten work will be assessed on ideas and organization, not spelling accuracy, allowing focus on expressing thoughts.

Writing & Handwriting

Provide access to word-prediction or word-bank software

Your child can use software that predicts words as they type or shows a list of words to choose from, speeding up writing.

Writing & Handwriting

Provide access to text-to-speech to review written work

Your child can hear their writing read aloud by the computer to check for errors and make revisions more easily.

Writing & Handwriting

Provide screen reader software for digital content and assessments

Your child can have text read aloud by the computer, making digital materials accessible without having to read print.