How to Find the Best Online Reading Tutor for Your Child

For a child with dyslexia or other reading challenges, not just any tutor will do. They need an expert who understands how their brain learns and is trained in specific, evidence-based methods. The problem is, these specialists aren’t always available in your local area. This is the incredible advantage of finding a great online reading tutor. It gives your family access to a world of highly qualified professionals who are certified in powerful approaches like Orton-Gillingham. This guide will explain why this level of expertise is so critical and how to find a tutor who can provide the structured instruction your child needs to thrive.

Key Takeaways

Prioritize Tutors with Specialized Training: For a child with reading challenges, general help isn’t enough. Focus your search on professionals certified in evidence-based methods like Orton-Gillingham to ensure your child gets the expert instruction they need to succeed.
Confirm the Program is Both Custom and Interactive: Effective online tutoring isn’t just a video call. It should involve a personalized lesson plan that targets your child’s specific needs and use multisensory digital tools to keep them engaged and make learning stick.
Your Partnership is Key to Success: The tutor leads the instruction, but your support at home makes it work. By creating a consistent routine, maintaining open communication, and reinforcing learning, you provide the foundation your child needs to build skills and confidence.

What Exactly Is an Online Reading Tutor?

An online reading tutor is a dedicated, one-on-one instructor who provides personalized reading support to your child through a computer or tablet. Think of it as having a reading specialist come right into your home, virtually, to guide your child step-by-step. These tutors are more than just homework helpers; they are trained professionals who use proven, research-backed methods to help students build foundational reading skills from the ground up. The goal is to create a supportive, low-pressure learning environment where your child can improve their reading, spelling, and comprehension at their own pace, without the fear of falling behind in a group setting.

Effective online tutoring programs are designed to be engaging and interactive, moving far beyond simple video calls. They use digital tools, games, and structured lesson plans to make learning feel less like a chore and more like a discovery. For many families, this format provides access to highly specialized instructors who might not be available locally. This is especially important if you’re looking for a tutor trained in a specific, highly effective approach like the Orton-Gillingham method, which is a gold standard for helping children with reading challenges. It’s a powerful way to give your child the focused, expert attention they need to truly thrive and see themselves as capable readers.

How Online Tutoring Works

So, what does a session actually look like? Online reading tutoring typically involves live, one-on-one video sessions where the tutor and your child can see and hear each other. The lessons are structured and sequential, meaning each new skill builds on the last one, ensuring there are no gaps in your child’s understanding. Sessions are often shorter and more frequent—think 30-minute lessons a few times a week—to keep your child engaged and help them retain what they’ve learned. This consistent practice is key to reinforcing new skills and building a strong foundation for confident reading.

The Unique Benefits for Children with Learning Differences

For a child with a learning difference like dyslexia, the right tutor can be a game-changer. An online reading tutor who specializes in this area provides the personalized, multisensory instruction that is essential for their success. They use techniques that engage sight, sound, and touch to help your child make connections that might not happen in a traditional classroom. This tailored approach doesn’t just improve reading ability; it also rebuilds the confidence that so often gets chipped away by academic struggles. It shows your child that they can learn and succeed, which is the most powerful lesson of all.

Why Choose Online Reading Tutoring?

Deciding on the right support for your child can feel overwhelming, but online reading tutoring has become a powerful and popular choice for good reason. It combines the convenience of learning from home with access to highly specialized instructors who truly understand reading challenges. For children with dyslexia or other learning differences, this blend of flexibility and expertise can be transformative. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, online tutoring offers a focused, engaging, and personalized path forward, helping your child build skills and confidence right from your living room. It’s about meeting your child exactly where they are and giving them the specific tools they need to succeed.

Get a Plan Tailored to Your Child

One of the biggest advantages of online tutoring is the personalized attention your child receives. A great tutor won’t just jump into a generic lesson plan. Instead, they start by getting to know your child—their strengths, their frustrations, and the specific hurdles they face with reading. This initial assessment is key to creating a customized learning experience that targets their unique needs. Whether they struggle with phonics, fluency, or comprehension, the tutor can design lessons that address those exact challenges. This tailored approach ensures that every session is productive, helping your child make meaningful progress without wasting time on concepts they’ve already mastered.

Learn from Anywhere, on Your Schedule

Let’s be honest: family schedules are hectic. The logistical dance of getting everyone to their after-school activities can be exhausting. Online tutoring eliminates the commute, giving you back precious time in your day. Your child can log into their session from the comfort of home, a grandparent’s house, or even while traveling. This flexibility not only reduces stress for the whole family but also allows your child to learn in a familiar, comfortable environment where they feel safe and focused. Plus, you’re no longer limited to local options. You can find an online tutor who is the absolute perfect fit, regardless of where you both live.

Connect with Tutors Who Specialize in Reading

When your child has a specific learning difference like dyslexia, you need more than just a general homework helper. You need an expert. Online tutoring opens up a world of highly qualified specialists trained in evidence-based methods like Orton-Gillingham. These tutors have a deep understanding of the science of reading and possess the skills to help children who learn differently. They know how to break down complex concepts into manageable steps and use proven strategies to build a strong foundation for literacy. Accessing this level of expertise can make all the difference in your child’s academic journey and long-term success.

Use Fun, Interactive Learning Tools

If you’re picturing your child staring blankly at a screen, think again. Modern online tutoring is dynamic and engaging. Tutors use a variety of digital tools to create a fun, multisensory learning environment that captures a child’s attention. Imagine interactive whiteboards where your child can trace letters, digital games that make practicing phonics feel like play, and shared screens for reading passages together. These tools are designed to reinforce concepts in multiple ways, which is especially effective for struggling readers. It’s a fantastic way to turn screen time into productive, skill-building time that your child will actually look forward to.

Watch Your Child’s Confidence and Skills Grow

Ultimately, the goal is to help your child become a skilled and confident reader, and that’s where online tutoring truly shines. When a child receives consistent, one-on-one support tailored to their needs, they start to experience success. Those small wins—correctly sounding out a tough word or finishing a chapter book—begin to stack up. This progress isn’t just academic; it’s deeply personal. As their skills improve, their self-esteem grows. The frustration that once surrounded reading is replaced with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Our tutoring programs are designed to foster this growth, helping your child see themselves as a capable learner.

How to Choose the Right Online Reading Tutor

Finding the perfect online reading tutor can feel like a monumental task, but I promise, it doesn’t have to be. When you know exactly what to look for, you can confidently choose a partner who will not only help your child improve their reading skills but also rebuild their self-esteem from the ground up. For a child who struggles with reading, the right tutor is so much more than a teacher; they are a mentor, a cheerleader, and a guide who can finally make the code of language click. This choice is about giving your child personalized, effective support that can fundamentally change their relationship with learning for the better.

The goal is to move past the frustration and anxiety that so often accompany learning differences like dyslexia. You want to find someone who sees your child’s potential and has the specific tools and expertise to draw it out. This process isn’t about finding a quick fix, but about investing in a long-term solution that builds a solid foundation for all future learning. By breaking the search down into a few key steps, you can move forward with clarity and purpose. Let’s walk through exactly what to consider so you can find a specialist who is the perfect fit for your family’s needs and your child’s unique learning style.

Define Your Child’s Specific Needs

Before you start your search, take a moment to pinpoint what your child needs most. Are they struggling with phonics and sounding out words? Is reading fluency the main hurdle, or is it comprehension—understanding the meaning behind the text? Maybe spelling is the biggest challenge. Making a list of these specific areas will help you communicate your goals clearly. Understanding your child’s unique profile is the first step toward finding a tutor who can provide truly personalized and effective support. When you can articulate your child’s challenges, you can ask targeted questions and find a program designed to address those exact needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Look for Qualified, Experienced Tutors

When your child has a learning difference like dyslexia, a tutor’s qualifications are incredibly important. Look for professionals with specific training and certifications in evidence-based reading instruction, such as the Orton-Gillingham method. It’s not enough for a tutor to have general teaching experience; you need someone with a deep understanding of the learning difficulties associated with reading challenges. Ask about their background, their training, and how many years they’ve spent working with students like your child. The best tutors have both the credentials and a genuine passion for helping children overcome their struggles and finally feel successful in their reading journey.

Review Their Teaching Method and Curriculum

A great tutor uses a great method. Ask potential tutors to walk you through their teaching approach and the curriculum they use. For children with dyslexia and other reading challenges, a structured, multisensory program is often the key to success. Methods based on the Science of Reading, like Orton-Gillingham, are designed to teach reading and spelling in a systematic, explicit way that makes sense to a struggling learner. A specialized tutor should be able to explain how they will create a customized learning plan for your child. They should also be able to describe how they make learning engaging and effective through their chosen instructional tools.

Check the Tech Requirements

For online tutoring to be successful, the technology has to work smoothly. Before committing to a service, find out what you’ll need. Most programs require a computer or tablet with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a stable internet connection. Ask what platform they use—is it a simple video call, or do they use a custom interactive platform? At PRIDE, we make our online tutoring sessions as seamless as possible. A frustration-free tech experience ensures that the focus stays on learning. Don’t hesitate to ask for a tech check or a demo session to make sure your child feels comfortable with the setup.

See What Other Parents Are Saying

One of the best ways to gauge the effectiveness of a tutoring service is to hear from other families. Look for testimonials and reviews on the company’s website, but also check independent sites and parenting forums for unbiased opinions. Reading about other parents’ experiences can give you a real sense of how the tutor interacts with students, communicates with families, and, most importantly, gets results. These stories can offer valuable insight and help you choose the right dyslexia tutor for your child. Hearing from a parent who was once in your shoes can provide the confidence you need to take the next step.

A Look at Top Online Reading Tutoring Services

Choosing an online tutor can feel overwhelming with so many options available. To help you get started, I’ve gathered some of the top online reading tutoring services. Each one has a slightly different approach, so think about which one aligns best with your child’s personality and learning needs.

Pride Reading Tutors

Pride Reading Tutors stands out for its commitment to personalized, evidence-based instruction that truly transforms reading challenges into achievements. They specialize in working with students who have dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, using the proven Orton-Gillingham method. What’s really special is their focus on building a child’s confidence right alongside their reading skills. They understand that a child who feels good about learning is a child who will succeed. With options for in-home, online, and hybrid tutoring, they make it easy to find a format that fits your family’s life, ensuring every child gets the tailored support they deserve.

Hoot Reading

If you’re looking for a service grounded in the latest research, Hoot Reading is a fantastic option. They offer one-on-one online tutoring for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, all based on the “Science of Reading.” This research-backed approach has led to some impressive growth for their students. One of the great things about their model is its versatility; they partner directly with schools and also offer their services to individual families. This flexibility makes it easier for parents to get high-quality, consistent reading support for their child, whether it’s through their school district or on their own.

Online Reading Tutor

With a global reach across more than 70 countries, Online Reading Tutor has a long track record of helping students find success. The testimonials from parents are particularly powerful, highlighting just how effective their program can be. Some parents have shared that their children improved by as many as three grade levels in just ten months, which is a life-changing improvement. Their program is designed as a dyslexia training app, making it a focused tool for children who need targeted, systematic instruction to overcome specific reading hurdles and build a stronger foundation for all future learning.

Savvy Learning

For younger learners in kindergarten through 6th grade, consistency is key. Savvy Learning builds its program around this idea with a high-dosage tutoring model. Students participate in four 25-minute sessions each week, a structure designed to reinforce skills and steadily build confidence without overwhelming them. This frequent, focused practice is especially helpful for children who need regular support to make meaningful progress in reading and math. By breaking down learning into manageable, consistent sessions, Savvy Learning helps kids develop strong academic habits and a more positive attitude toward their own abilities.

TutorMe

Sometimes, you need help right now. That’s where a service like TutorMe comes in. They offer on-demand tutoring that connects your child with a qualified tutor in real-time, whenever a question or challenge pops up. While they cover a wide range of subjects, their platform includes dedicated reading support. The user-friendly interface makes it simple to get started, which is a huge plus for busy parents looking for immediate, convenient academic assistance. This is a great option if your child needs occasional help with homework or a quick review before a test rather than an ongoing, structured program.

Skooli

If you value the expertise that comes with certified teachers, Skooli is definitely worth a look. Their flexible online platform connects students with professional educators for personalized, one-on-one reading instruction. This direct focus ensures that your child receives the dedicated attention they need to work through their specific challenges and improve their skills. The ability to work with a certified teacher can provide extra peace of mind, as you know your child is getting guidance from someone with formal training and classroom experience, all from the convenience of your home.

Chegg Tutors

Chegg Tutors is known for its comprehensive academic support, and their reading tutoring is a strong part of that offering. The platform allows you to find and schedule sessions with experienced tutors who can provide help tailored to your child’s individual reading needs. Whether your child is struggling with comprehension, phonics, or fluency, you can find a tutor with the right expertise. This makes it a reliable option for parents who want to arrange for structured, ongoing support that fits into their family’s schedule, ensuring their child gets consistent help from a qualified professional.

What Happens During an Online Tutoring Session?

It’s natural to wonder what an online reading session actually looks like. Will your child stay engaged? How does a tutor connect with them through a screen? The great news is that online tutoring is designed to be just as personal and effective as in-person instruction, with a clear structure that helps your child thrive. Each session is a dedicated time for one-on-one support, where the focus is entirely on your child’s needs and goals. From the initial assessment to interactive learning and progress tracking, every step is part of a carefully planned journey toward reading confidence.

The First Step: Assessment and Goal Setting

Every child’s reading journey is unique, which is why a great online tutoring experience always starts with a thorough assessment. Before the first official lesson, the tutor will evaluate your child’s current reading, spelling, and comprehension skills. This isn’t a test to be stressed over; it’s a way for the tutor to identify specific strengths and pinpoint the exact areas where your child needs support. Based on these findings, the tutor will work with you to set clear, achievable goals. This initial step ensures that every session is built on a solid foundation and that the customized learning plan is perfectly tailored to help your child succeed from day one.

Following a Custom Lesson Plan

Once your child’s needs are understood, the tutor creates a personalized lesson plan that guides each session. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Instead, it’s a structured, evidence-based path, often using proven methods like the Orton-Gillingham approach. During the session, the tutor will lead your child through a series of targeted activities designed to build skills sequentially. For example, they might start with a phonics drill, move on to decoding words, and then practice reading sentences aloud. This structured approach ensures that learning is consistent and that new concepts are introduced only after your child has mastered the previous ones, creating a strong, stable foundation for reading.

Engaging with Interactive Activities

One of the best parts of online tutoring is the use of engaging, interactive tools. Tutors are skilled at using technology to make learning fun and effective. A session might involve using a digital whiteboard to practice writing letters, playing phonics games to reinforce sounds, or reading from a shared-screen storybook. These multisensory activities are especially helpful for children with learning differences because they engage sight, sound, and touch, which helps solidify new concepts. By turning practice into play, tutors keep your child focused and motivated, transforming what could be a frustrating task into an enjoyable experience they look forward to.

Tracking Progress with Regular Updates

You’ll never be left in the dark about your child’s progress. A key component of online tutoring is consistent communication between the tutor and parents. After sessions, you can expect to receive regular updates on what your child worked on, what milestones they’ve achieved, and what the plan is for upcoming lessons. This partnership is essential. It allows you to celebrate your child’s wins and understand how to support their learning at home. It also ensures the tutor can adjust the lesson plan as your child’s skills develop, keeping the instruction perfectly paced to their needs and ensuring they are always moving forward.

How Tutors Support Specific Learning Challenges

When your child has a learning challenge like dyslexia, you know that a standard approach to reading often isn’t enough. It’s not about a lack of effort on their part; it’s about their brain being wired differently. This is where a specialized reading tutor becomes a true partner. They don’t just assign more practice pages. Instead, they use specific, evidence-based methods designed to work with your child’s unique learning profile.

A great tutor acts as a sort of codebreaker, helping your child understand the logic of language in a way that finally clicks. They move beyond the “what” of reading (like memorizing sight words) and get to the “how” and “why” behind the way letters and sounds work together. This is often done through structured, systematic programs. For example, many highly effective tutors use the Orton-Gillingham method, a gold-standard approach that breaks reading and spelling down into manageable, logical steps. This builds a strong foundation from the ground up, filling in any gaps and creating a clear path forward for your child. The focus is always on turning challenges into achievements, one skill at a time.

Using Multisensory Instruction

Multisensory instruction is a fancy term for a simple, powerful idea: learning with all the senses. Instead of just looking at letters on a page, your child might trace them in a sand tray (touch), say the sounds out loud (hearing), and see them formed with colorful magnetic tiles (sight). This approach creates multiple pathways in the brain for information to travel and stick. For a child who struggles to connect a letter’s shape to its sound, engaging their sense of touch or movement can be the key that makes the concept click. A skilled tutor knows how to weave these techniques into every lesson, making learning a hands-on, active experience rather than a passive one.

Applying Dyslexia-Specific Strategies

For a child with dyslexia, learning to read requires a more direct and structured approach than what’s typically offered in a classroom. Tutors trained in dyslexia-specific strategies use what’s known as structured literacy. This method explicitly teaches the building blocks of language in a logical order, starting with the smallest units of sound (phonemes) and connecting them to letters. The PRIDE Reading Program is a great example of this in action. It ensures children master one concept before moving to the next, building a solid, gap-free foundation. This systematic process helps demystify reading and empowers your child with the skills and confidence to tackle words effectively.

Leveraging Adaptive Technology for Support

One of the fantastic things about online tutoring is the access it provides to adaptive technology. These aren’t just digital bells and whistles; they are powerful tools that can make a world of difference. Imagine interactive whiteboards where your child can manipulate letters and words, or engaging games that reinforce phonics rules without feeling like a drill. Tools like text-to-speech can help a child hear how words are pronounced, reducing frustration and making complex texts more accessible. This technology helps keep your child engaged and motivated, turning potential moments of struggle into opportunities for interactive, supported learning. It allows the lesson to adapt to your child’s pace, providing support exactly when it’s needed.

Understanding the Cost of Online Tutoring

When you’re looking for the right support for your child, the cost is naturally a big piece of the puzzle. Tutoring prices can seem all over the map, but understanding what goes into them can help you make a confident choice. The investment you make in a quality reading program is an investment in your child’s confidence and future success. Let’s break down what you can expect.

What Determines the Price?

The cost of tutoring isn’t one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence the hourly rate, including the tutor’s experience, the subject matter, and your child’s grade level. Generally, private tutoring can range from $25 to $80 per hour, with online options often being more affordable. A tutor with specialized training in evidence-based methods like Orton-Gillingham will have a different rate than a high school student offering homework help. The price reflects the depth of their expertise and the targeted nature of the instruction. Remember, you’re not just paying for an hour of time; you’re paying for a specialist’s skill in helping your child overcome specific reading challenges.

How to Compare Tutoring Costs

When you compare different tutoring services, it’s helpful to look beyond the hourly rate. Ask what’s included in the price. Does it cover the initial assessment, learning materials, and regular progress reports? Some programs offer a comprehensive package, while others charge for these things separately. It’s also smart to compare similar types of services. The cost for a general reading tutor will be different from a program designed specifically for dyslexia. While exploring your options, consider the convenience and potential savings of online tutoring, which eliminates travel time and costs, making it a flexible and often more budget-friendly choice for busy families.

Why It’s a Worthwhile Investment

Viewing tutoring as an investment rather than an expense can shift your perspective. For a child struggling with reading, the right support does more than just improve their skills—it builds their confidence and changes how they see themselves as a learner. Finding the right dyslexia tutor who uses personalized, multisensory instruction can make a world of difference in your child’s academic journey. This targeted support helps them make real, lasting progress that carries over into every subject at school. Seeing your child feel proud and capable in their reading is a return that you simply can’t put a price on.

Set Your Child Up for Success

Once you’ve chosen a tutor, your role in your child’s reading journey is just beginning. While the tutor provides the specialized instruction, you create the environment where that instruction can truly stick. Think of yourself as the co-pilot; the tutor may be flying the plane, but your support on the ground ensures a smooth flight. Setting up a positive and predictable learning environment at home can make a significant difference in your child’s progress and attitude toward their sessions.

The great thing about online tutoring is its flexibility, but that flexibility works best within a solid framework. By taking a few simple steps to prepare for each session, you’re not just helping your child learn to read—you’re teaching them how to be a focused, confident, and successful student. These habits will serve them far beyond their tutoring sessions. Below are a few practical ways you can set the stage for success and help your child get the absolute most out of their time with their tutor.

Create a Distraction-Free Learning Space

Creating a dedicated learning space is one of the most impactful things you can do. This doesn’t have to be a separate room, but it should be a quiet, comfortable, and consistent spot. A corner of the dining room or a desk in their bedroom works perfectly. The key is to minimize distractions. This means turning off the TV, asking siblings to play in another room, and keeping pets out of sight during the session. Ensure the area is well-lit and that all necessary materials—like a charged laptop, headphones, and a notebook—are ready to go. This helps your child mentally shift into “learning mode” and focus completely on their tutor.

Establish a Consistent Tutoring Routine

Consistency is your best friend when it comes to tutoring. Children thrive on routine, and establishing a regular schedule helps them know what to expect, reducing any potential anxiety. Try to schedule sessions for the same day and time each week, choosing a time when your child is typically alert and not overly tired. Having a simple pre-session ritual can also help, like grabbing a snack and a glass of water a few minutes beforehand. This predictability makes tutoring feel like a normal, manageable part of their week, allowing them to show up ready to engage and learn. This structure is especially helpful for families using a hybrid tutoring model.

Get the Most Out of Every Session

Encourage your child to be an active participant in their learning. Before the session, you can remind them that their tutor is there to help and that it’s okay to ask questions or say they don’t understand something. This active engagement is what builds true comprehension and confidence. Let your child know that asking for help is a sign of strength. After the session, check in with them. Ask a simple question like, “What was something fun you did today?” or “What’s one new thing you learned?” This reinforces the lesson and shows them you’re interested and proud of their effort.

Your Role as a Parent in Online Tutoring

Once you’ve found the right tutor, your involvement becomes one of the most important parts of your child’s success. Think of it as a partnership between you, your child, and their tutor. While the tutor brings specialized expertise, your support at home creates the foundation for everything to click into place. You are your child’s biggest cheerleader, and your encouragement can make all the difference. By staying engaged, you help ensure the strategies learned during sessions are carried into everyday life, turning tutoring into a truly transformative experience.

How to Support Your Child’s Progress

Your role in supporting your child’s progress is all about creating a positive and encouraging environment. Online tutoring can be a big step, and your child will look to you for cues on how to feel about it. Frame it as an exciting opportunity to get better at something that’s been tricky. Celebrate the small victories, whether it’s sounding out a tough word or finishing a chapter. A specialized online tutoring program is designed to build skills and confidence, and your positive reinforcement is the secret ingredient that helps that confidence stick. By showing you’re proud of their effort, you help them see their own potential.

Keep an Open Line of Communication with the Tutor

Think of your child’s tutor as a key member of your team. Keeping an open line of communication is essential for tailoring the instruction to your child’s needs. A great tutor will provide regular updates, but don’t hesitate to reach out with your own observations or questions. Let them know about successes or challenges your child is having at school or with homework. This information gives the tutor valuable insight that allows them to adjust their approach. This collaborative relationship ensures that the in-home tutoring or online sessions are as effective as possible, making a significant difference in your child’s academic performance.

Reinforce Learning with At-Home Practice

Consistency is what turns new skills into lasting habits. Reinforcing what your child learns in tutoring doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Ask the tutor for simple, fun ways to practice between sessions. This could be playing a word game in the car, reading a recipe together in the kitchen, or choosing a fun book to read before bed. The goal is to weave reading practice into your daily routine in a light and enjoyable way. This approach helps solidify the concepts from their lessons and shows your child that reading is a valuable and rewarding part of life, not just something that happens on a screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my child need tutoring? There isn’t a magic number, as every child’s journey is different. The duration depends on your child’s specific challenges and the goals we set together. The focus is on building a solid, lasting foundation, not on a quick fix. Consistent, targeted instruction helps create deep, permanent skills. The goal is to work at a pace that builds confidence and ensures your child truly masters each concept before moving on, setting them up for independent success in the long run.

Is online tutoring really as effective as meeting a tutor in person? This is a common question, and the answer is yes, it can be just as effective, and for some children, even more so. Online tutoring removes geographic barriers, giving you access to the best specialists trained in methods like Orton-Gillingham, not just who is available locally. The interactive digital tools used in sessions are designed to be highly engaging and multisensory, which is perfect for keeping a child focused. Plus, many children feel more comfortable and less pressured learning in their own familiar home environment.

My child has a lot of anxiety around reading. How does an online tutor handle that? A great tutor who specializes in learning differences is also an expert at building confidence. They are trained to create a safe, low-pressure space where it’s okay to make mistakes. The one-on-one format means the lesson is paced entirely to your child’s needs, so they never feel rushed or left behind. Tutors are skilled at celebrating small wins and breaking down tasks into manageable steps, which slowly replaces anxiety with a sense of accomplishment and pride.

What makes a program like the Orton-Gillingham method different from the help my child gets at school? School-based reading help often focuses on practice and exposure, which works well for many students. The Orton-Gillingham method, however, is a different approach designed for learners whose brains are wired differently. It’s a structured, systematic, and multisensory program that explicitly teaches the rules and patterns of language. Instead of just memorizing words, your child learns the “why” behind reading and spelling, which helps them decode the language in a way that finally makes sense.

How much should my child practice between tutoring sessions? Your tutor will give you specific, manageable suggestions, but the goal is always quality over quantity. Reinforcing skills doesn’t have to mean sitting down with worksheets for an hour. It can be woven into your daily life in fun, lighthearted ways. You might read a recipe together, play a word game in the car, or have your child read street signs. The idea is to make reading a natural and enjoyable part of the day, which helps solidify what they learn in their sessions without adding pressure.