Learning & Print Disabilities
Discover tools and insights that foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment to help every student thrive. We've chosen our favourites based on content accuracy, expert authorship, and research-based strategies to support diverse learning needs. This selection offers a solid starting point for finding accurate information and effective curricula that accommodate various learning challenges, ensuring your child receives meaningful support in a homeschool environment.
​Learning Disabilities Resources
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We are dedicated to providing homeschool parents with resources and information for students with learning disabilities to help support their educational efforts. While we strive to offer inclusive and reliable resources, we are not medical professionals and recommend consulting with healthcare experts for more detailed advice and customized guidance. We aim to include trustworthy sources as a helpful starting point, however the information we provide is not independently verified and we do not assume responsibility or liability for the content shared on this site. Parents are ultimately responsible for evaluating and validating materials on their own before use.
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This is a valuable resource for parents and educators seeking to support students with learning disabilities. The site offers a wealth of evidence-based strategies, instructional resources, and professional development opportunities tailored to enhancing student success. By providing practical tools and expert insights, LD@school empowers teachers to create inclusive and effective learning environments.
Understood.org is a comprehensive resource offering support and information for individuals with learning and thinking differences, such as ADHD and dyslexia. The platform provides practical advice, expert insights, and a supportive community for parents, educators, and young adults to help navigate these challenges. By offering personalized resources and tools, Understood.org aims to empower individuals and families to thrive in school, work, and life.
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National Council for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and attention issues through advocacy, research, and support. They provide resources for parents, educators, and young adults to promote understanding and effective teaching strategies. NCLD also works to influence policy and ensure equal opportunities for those with learning disabilities. Their efforts aim to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
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TTRS (Touch, Type, Read, Spell) TTRS is a remarkable program designed to enhance literacy skills through a multi-sensory approach. By combining touch typing with reading and spelling exercises, TTRS offers a comprehensive learning experience for individuals of all ages. The course's interactive and adaptive nature caters to various learning styles and paces, making it effective for learners with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. TTRS's philosophy revolves around empowering individuals to overcome reading and spelling challenges while boosting confidence and fostering independent learning, making it an excellent resource for those seeking to improve their language skills. This program is worth the cost, but parents may want to watch social media for sales and/or group discounts. ​
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ADHD & Twice Exceptional (2E) Resources
Bright and Quirky is an educational platform designed to support parents and educators of twice-exceptional (2e) children, who are both gifted and have learning differences. The site offers a wealth of resources including expert videos, online courses, and practical strategies for managing both academic and emotional challenges. The Bright & Quirky IdeaLab provides a supportive community and access to leading experts in the field of twice-exceptionality. This makes it an invaluable resource for those seeking to help bright and quirky kids thrive.
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Additude
The Additude website is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for individuals, families, and educators dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The website offers a wealth of information, articles, webinars, and resources that cover a wide range of topics related to ADHD, including symptoms, treatments, strategies, and personal stories. Rooted in a philosophy of providing accurate and up-to-date information, Additude serves as a supportive platform that helps individuals better understand ADHD, navigate its challenges, and access strategies for success. With its diverse content and community-driven approach, the website stands as an essential guide for anyone seeking guidance and support related to ADHD.
SRSD Professional Development Course for Parents
ThinkSRSD is a valuable resource for parents of children with learning disabilities, offering structured and evidence-based writing instruction. The program focuses on Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD), which breaks down writing tasks into manageable steps, helping children with diverse learning needs improve their writing skills. The professional learning courses include expert-led webinars and practical tools that empower parents to effectively support their children's academic growth. This makes ThinkSRSD an essential tool for fostering writing proficiency in children with unique educational challenges.
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Dr. Ross Greene's work focuses on understanding and addressing the challenges faced by children with behavioral issues through his Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model. This approach emphasizes collaboration between adults and children to solve problems, rather than using traditional discipline methods. For homeschoolers with learning disabilities (LDs), implementing Greene's CPS model can foster a supportive and understanding environment, promoting better behavior and enhancing learning by addressing the root causes of difficulties collaboratively.
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The Tilt Parenting website and podcast focuses on parenting children with learning disabilities and other differences. It features information and interviews with authors, experts, and parents, offering advice and support for raising differently-wired kids. This resource is invaluable for parents seeking guidance and community while navigating the unique challenges of parenting children with learning differences.
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Dyslexia Resources
The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Dyslexia Resource Hub
The University of Florida Dyslexia Resource Hub is an invaluable FREE support for educators, parents, and individuals working with dyslexic learners. With its comprehensive range of evidence-based resources, including strategies, tools, and informational materials, the hub offers practical guidance for understanding and addressing dyslexia. The hub's dedication to fostering awareness and providing practical solutions makes it an essential platform for anyone striving to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for individuals with dyslexia.
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This program, which was developed by a Speech and Language Pathologist, uses a research-based, multi-sensory approach to teaching reading, writing and grammar. They also offer Professional Development courses for parents, as well as the excellent resource book, Trees in the Forest: Growing Readers and Writers Through Deep Comprehension, for those who want to better understand how to teach their children effectively. The Rooted in Language programs set a strong foundation for all readers and writers, and have a high success rate among children with dyslexia. We highly recommend the Pinwheels and the Grammar Bugs programs, as well as the Handwriting Struggle and Intervention course. Watch a review here.
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The West Coast Literacy website provides comprehensive reading and language resources, prominently highlighting the Dandelion Readers—an exceptional, highly coveted series of decodable readers. As well, the book "Equipped for Reading Success," by David A. Kilpatrick stands out as a must-read resource for both teachers and parents, especially for those who teach children with learning challenges. This book is based on current reading research, and provides a learning plan for scaffolded one-minute reading strategies that can be easily incorporated into learning.
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Nessy
Nessy.com is an impressive online platform, offering a diverse range of resources for individuals with dyslexia and other learning challenges. From engaging educational games to structured literacy programs, the website provides a holistic approach to addressing reading and language difficulties. With its user-friendly interface and evidence-based methodology, Nessy.com is a great tool for those seeking effective solutions for improved reading and language skills. This is a paid program, but we recommend that you follow their social media accounts for information about sales and discounts.
Dyslexia Canada is a national charity dedicated to raising awareness and improving the lives of children with dyslexia. The organization provides resources, advocacy, and support to ensure children with dyslexia receive the education they need to succeed. Dyslexia Canada also works to promote best practices in teaching and assessment, aiming to create a more inclusive and understanding educational environment.
Free Online Literacy Assessment
These diagnostic tests may be able to help parents determine areas of strength and weakness in their child’s reading ability. Keep in mind that online assessments may provide initial insights but are not a substitute for expert guidance in determining the scope of a child's learning needs. We strongly feel that by utilizing any online self-diagnostic reading assessment tests, parents must acknowledge the potential for varying results and understand the importance of consulting with a qualified professional and pursuing a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment for accurate evaluation.
This site is a valuable resource for homeschool parents seeking comprehensive phonics instruction. It offers an extensive collection of open-source phonics materials, including printable worksheets, lesson plans, and interactive activities. With its free accessibility and a wide range of resources, homeschooling parents can confidently use Open Source Phonics to provide effective and engaging phonics education tailored to their children's needs.
Bookshare is an accessible online library that provides free or low-cost access to books for people with reading disabilities. The platform offers a wide range of titles, including textbooks, bestsellers, and educational materials, in formats such as audio, braille, and large print. By offering these resources, Bookshare helps individuals with dyslexia, visual impairments, and other reading barriers to enjoy reading and achieve educational success.
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The Measured Mom - Science of Reading Lists
Booklist suggestions for parents interested in learning more about the Science of Reading, Literacy Development, Dyslexia and more!
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IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) offers a structured, step-by-step approach that can be highly beneficial for kids with dyslexia. Its methods emphasize auditory and visual learning, which helps reinforce writing skills through multiple sensory channels. The program's clear guidelines and consistent format reduce anxiety and improve focus for dyslexic learners. Additionally, IEW’s tools and resources support parents and educators in providing targeted, effective instruction tailored to the needs of children with dyslexia.
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Empowering Writers offers a structured and clear writing program that is highly beneficial for homeschoolers with learning disabilities. Its step-by-step approach helps break down the writing process into manageable parts, making it easier for students to understand and follow. The program provides a variety of multisensory tools and resources, accommodating different learning styles and needs. Additionally, Empowering Writers supports parents with webinars, guides and strategies, enabling them to provide effective, tailored instruction.
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Word Connections (Dr. Jessica Toste)​
Word Connections, created by Dr. Jessica Toste, is a supplemental reading intervention program designed for upper elementary students struggling with word reading. The program focuses on multisyllabic word reading through engaging activities that promote automaticity and comprehension. It includes 40 lessons divided into four units, integrating various instructional activities such as word play, affix banks, and text reading to enhance students' decoding skills. The program is based on evidence from empirical studies showing its effectiveness in improving reading outcomes for at-risk students.​
The "Overcoming Dyslexia" course on Coursera, developed by Yale University, provides comprehensive insights into dyslexia. The course covers the latest research, practical strategies for interventions, and understanding the federal statutes affecting dyslexic students. It includes video lectures, readings, and quizzes, making it accessible for parents, educators, and anyone interested in learning about dyslexia. This course is particularly valuable for those looking to support dyslexic individuals effectively through evidence-based practices.
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Dysgraphia Resources ​
The Additude website provides a general explanation and description of Dysgraphia. For an explanation of common identifiers, click here.​
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Handwriting Bot is an excellent resource for children with dysgraphia, offering interactive and personalized handwriting practice through engaging animations. The app takes copywork and dictation to a new level, allowing for customization to meet each child's specific needs. Its user-friendly interface ensures that both parents can easily implement effective handwriting instruction, fostering improvement in a supportive manner. Parent plans are very affordable, making this a reasonable choice for adaptive practice.
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Rooted in Language Handwriting Struggle and Intervention
The "Handwriting Struggle Intervention" course by Rooted in Language is an invaluable resource for homeschool parents looking to support children with handwriting difficulties. This course offers evidence-based strategies and practical tools to address the unique challenges faced by struggling writers. Its comprehensive approach ensures parents are equipped with effective techniques to improve their child's handwriting skills in a supportive, structured manner. With expert guidance by Speech Language Pathologists and accessible content, this course is a must-have for enhancing handwriting proficiency at home. Each course comes with access to the instructors via online Q&A videoconferencing.
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Australian handwriting expert Debbie Draper provides a wealth of current research and practical teaching strategies on her Facebook Page. We highly recommend that parents take some time to scroll through Debbie's posts, making note of the strategies, resources, and articles that she recommends. She also discusses the importance of handwriting in this interview.
This website provides information and resources for children, teens and adults with Dysgraphia. We especially like their FREE Educational Webinar series (with recorded replays to watch at your convenience). Sign up for an email newsletter for news about current research and information about upcoming webinars.
MathScribe offers a variety of interactive math resources and tools specifically designed to enhance learning in Gr.8 Common Core, Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1courses. Developed by a team of mathematics professors and teachers, the platform includes engaging activities and detailed explanations to help students grasp complex mathematical concepts through their online textbook platform. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive content make it an excellent supplement to any homeschool math curriculum. This program is currently offered for free.
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ModMath is a groundbreaking app tailored for homeschoolers with dysgraphia, offering a digital solution for math problem-solving. It enables students to type and arrange math equations on touchscreen devices, eliminating the struggles associated with handwriting. This makes it an essential tool for facilitating effective and accessible math learning for students with dysgraphia.
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There are tons of free handwriting and printing worksheets online that provide manuscript printing and cursive practice, but it’s worth the investment (and time saved!) to NOT have to research and print a million handwriting pages or booklets. This program is research-based and developmentally appropriate for children’s ages and stages of writing. Read a review here.
Rhythm of Handwriting
This is a comprehensive and effective handwriting course that takes students through the stages of basic manuscript printing through cursive letter formation. Through its systematic approach and clear explanations, it ensures that learners understand the principles behind letter formation. The incorporation of multi-sensory techniques and practice exercises further solidifies the learning process, making it a fantastic program for students striving to achieve mastery in penmanship. We like that this program offers students the ability to practice forming various-sized letters on specially-lined paper, and that it teaches a slightly different font than other programs, which may be easier for some students to learn.
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Getty-Dubay Handwriting Success
The Italic Handwriting Series from Handwriting Success offers a structured and effective approach to teaching italic handwriting, ideal for homeschool parents. The program is designed to be easy to implement, with clear instructions and practice materials that help students develop legible and attractive handwriting. Its focus on fluid, natural strokes makes it suitable for learners of all ages, promoting ease and consistency in writing. This curriculum is a great choice for homeschool families looking to improve their children's handwriting skills in a systematic and enjoyable way.
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Dyscalculia Resources
Ronit Bird's website offers a wealth of resources designed to support children with dyscalculia and arithmetic difficulties. Her methods focus on providing concrete, enjoyable learning experiences through games and activities, rather than traditional worksheets. The site includes books, eBooks, and videos that guide parents and educators in helping children develop a solid understanding of numbers and arithmetic concepts. This makes it an invaluable tool for those working with students who struggle with math.
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Calcularis by Constructor is a specialized educational tool designed to support children with learning disabilities in math. The program uses adaptive algorithms and engaging exercises to enhance numerical understanding and mathematical skills. Its personalized approach adjusts to each student's progress, making it suitable for diverse learning needs. This makes Calcularis an excellent resource for homeschool parents seeking effective, targeted math support for their children.
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WoodinMath.com offers specialized math resources and instructional methods designed by Christopher Woodin for students with learning disabilities, particularly dyscalculia. The program focuses on a whole-to-part teaching approach, using alternative strategies and engaging modalities to enhance understanding. It provides diagnostic tools, curriculum materials, and professional development for educators and parents. This makes WoodinMath.com an excellent resource for supporting students who struggle with traditional math instruction.
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Lord Math, founded by Becky Lord, offers specialized resources and professional development focused on improving math instruction, particularly for students with dyscalculia and math learning disabilities. The site provides online courses, consultations, and workshops based on the latest neuroscience to help teachers and parents understand effective math teaching strategies. Becky’s program, Decoding Math, breaks down complex mathematical concepts into manageable lessons, making math accessible and engaging. This comprehensive approach aims to transform math education, ensuring all students can achieve success in mathematics.
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​Build Math Minds is an educational platform created by Christina Tondevold, designed to help teachers and parents improve their math teaching skills. The site offers courses, resources, and professional development focused on fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through engaging and effective strategies. It emphasizes the importance of building math fluency and confidence in students by using fun, practical lessons. This resource is particularly valuable for those looking to transform traditional math instruction into a more dynamic and supportive learning experience. The platform provides resources and teaching strategies that emphasize deep understanding and fluency in math concepts, which can be particularly helpful for students with learning difficulties. By focusing on engaging, practical lessons and supportive teaching methods, it helps build confidence and competence in math for all learners.
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Efofex provides powerful software tools for creating mathematical diagrams, graphs, and scientific illustrations, aimed at enhancing education and professional presentations. Their suite includes FX Draw, FX Equation, FX Graph, and FX Stat, all designed to simplify the process of generating complex visuals and equations. These tools are particularly beneficial for teachers, students, and professionals who need precise and easy-to-create graphical representations. Efofex software helps make mathematical and scientific communication more effective and visually appealing. Some students may qualify for free software via the Empower Foundation using this link.
Handwriting Numbers​​
This site discusses the importance of automaticity when writing numerals and provides videos and handouts to support students who struggle.
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Dyscalculia.org (Brian Butterworth)
Dyscalculia.org provides extensive resources for understanding and managing dyscalculia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. The site offers practical tools and guidance for parents, educators, and students to address mathematical learning disabilities. Additionally, it features detailed information on accommodations, educational strategies, and support networks to help individuals with dyscalculia succeed academically and in daily life.
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Steve Chinn's website focuses on addressing dyscalculia and math learning difficulties through expert insights and resources. With a background in teaching and research, Chinn offers pragmatic and research-based methods to help students struggling with math. The site includes video tutorials, articles, and a dyscalculia checklist, all designed to enhance understanding and support effective math learning. It is a valuable resource for educators, parents, and students seeking specialized assistance in overcoming mathematical challenges.
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​Stern Math specializes in hands-on math learning tools and resources, designed to make math interactive and engaging for students. Their products include manipulatives, activity sets, and comprehensive curriculum materials that help build a strong foundation in arithmetic and number sense. The approach focuses on visual and tactile learning, which is particularly effective for young learners and those struggling with traditional methods. Stern Math is widely used in schools and homeschooling environments to enhance mathematical understanding.
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​Numicon is an educational program designed to teach math through a structured, hands-on approach using visual and tactile resources. It aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum and is based on extensive research from international experts in math education. The program aims to make math enjoyable and accessible for all students, fostering confident mathematicians through interactive and engaging methods. Numicon is ideal for educators and homeschoolers looking to enhance math learning with a proven, research-based approach.
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​Nessy Number Sense was designed to enhance foundational math skills in young learners. Developed with support from math expert Chris Woodin, it provides engaging, interactive activities that help students develop a strong understanding of numbers, quantities, and basic arithmetic concepts.
Print Disability Resources
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The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides library services for Canadians with print disabilities. It offers access to books, newspapers, and magazines in accessible formats like audio, digital text, and braille. Users can explore new titles, search the catalogue, download or read materials online, manage loans and holds, and customize search preferences. Homeschooling parents can also sign up as educators to use the service. Your local library may provide assistance with learning to use this tool and its many valuable functions.
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National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress, provides free library services to individuals with visual impairments or physical disabilities. They offer a wide range of materials in braille and audio formats, delivered by mail or electronically.​​​
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Bookshare is an online library that offers free access to books in accessible formats for people with print disabilities. Bookshare provides digital books that can be read using various assistive technologies.​ To join Bookshare, you must have a qualifying disability that prevents you from reading traditional books. Click here to learn more about qualifications.
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Learning Ally provides audiobooks and other educational resources for students and adults with a documented learning disability, visual impairment, or physical disability that makes it difficult to read using traditional print. Click here to learn more about eligibility for services.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) offers various resources and support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including information on accessible reading materials and technology.