The Best Books about Dyslexia for Parents
- Hammond Bell Educational Services, LLC
- 5 minutes ago
- 4 min read
When your child is diagnosed with dyslexia (or if they are showing characteristics of dyslexia), it can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How can you best support your child at home, advocate for their needs, and truly understand the challenges they’re facing?
One of the most empowering things you can do is educate yourself. Fortunately, there are several outstanding, research-based books that are grounded in the science of reading and the share the complexities of dyslexia in clear and compassionate way. These books also provided much needed guidance for parents. Take a look at the five books below, which are some of our favorites for offering deep insight and practical advice, all aligned with what we know from decades of reading science. Each book has a link for options to purchase from bookshop.com which support independent bookstores.
Reading well-researched, accessible books about dyslexia helps you understand what your child is experiencing, how to support them emotionally and academically, and how to make confident decisions about interventions, school support, and more. We're thrilled to share the best books about dyslexia for parents.
1. Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz
Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz is widely considered the essential guide for anyone who would benefit from learning about dyslexia; parents, educators, students, specialists, etc. Dr. Shaywitz is a neuroscientist and co-founder of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. I keep this one on my desk and refer to it often. In this book, Dr. Shaywitz explains the brain science behind dyslexia in a way that it easy to understand. She dives into how it is diagnosed, and why early identification matters. It's no wonder that Overcoming Dyslexia is often rates as number one when searching for the best books about dyslexia for parents. It also offers detailed guidance on what effective intervention looks like—including Orton-Gillingham and other structured literacy approaches. Buy the book here.
Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz is one of the most comprehensive and accessible books on dyslexia and strongly supports the Science of Reading framework.
2. The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child's Confidence and Love of Learning by Ben Foss
This was one of the first books that I read when I started my dyslexia journey and it had a profound impact on me. Ben Foss is an adult with dyslexia and an education technology expert. His book combines personal experience with advocacy and shares important insight into how families can shift the narrative around dyslexia—from being one of deficit to one of strength and empowerment. He talks about the importance of assistive technology and building a “strength-based” support system around your child. Buy the book here.
This book helps reframe dyslexia from just a learning challenge to a unique learning profile, empowering families and kids alike.
3. The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexia Brain by Brock L Eide and Fernette F. Eide The Best Books about Dyslexia for Parents
This book challenges the traditional view of dyslexia as a learning disability by highlighting the many strengths that often come with a dyslexic brain. It was written by two physicians and experts in learning differences. The Dyslexic Advantage offers an empowering perspective for parents navigating a new diagnosis.
Rather than focusing solely on what dyslexic individuals struggle with, this book explores four distinct areas of strength—referred to as the MIND strengths (Material reasoning, Interconnected reasoning, Narrative reasoning, and Dynamic reasoning)—that many dyslexic individuals share. It includes real-life stories and research that help us understand how these strengths can show up in school, work, and creative problem-solving.
For parents, this book is incredibly validating. It not only helps explain why dyslexia can make traditional schooling difficult, but it also gives families a new lens through which to see their child’s potential. It also shares the importance of early intervention and support like Orton-Gillingham. You can Buy the book here.
4. Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Dr. Maryanne Wolf The Best Books about Dyslexia for Parents
If you're looking for a deeper understanding of how the brain learns to read—and why reading can be so difficult for some children—Proust and the Squid is a fascinating choice. Written by a cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Maryanne Wolf, this book blends history, neuroscience, and personal stories to explore how reading develops in the human brain.
Dr. Wolf explains that reading is not a natural ability like speaking; it’s something the brain must rewire itself to do. This concept is vital to understanding dyslexia.
This book is not a how-to manual, but rather an explanation of what’s happening behind the scenes in your child’s mind.
This book is a bit more academic than some others on this list, but it’s written with heart and clarity. If you're the kind of parent who wants to understand the "why" behind dyslexia and reading development, Proust and the Squid will give you both the science and the soul. Purchase the book here.
How to Help my Child with Dyslexia
Reading books about dyslexia won’t solve every challenge—but it will make you a more confident, informed, and effective advocate for your child. The more you understand what dyslexia is (and what it isn’t), the better equipped you’ll be to help your child thrive in all areas of their lives.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post of The Best Books about Dyslexia for Parents. If you’re looking for reading intervention programs or personalized tutoring aligned with these research-based methods, our team at Hammond Bell is here to help. We specialize in online, Orton-Gillingham-based instruction and would be honored to walk alongside your family on this journey. Not sure if we'll be a good fit? Schedule a free demo lesson to see what a lesson looks like! Or email any inquiries to lauren@hammondbell.com.