Tutoring for dyslexia
The right specialist tutor can support a dyslexic child's reading, spelling and confidence with structured, multisensory teaching. Here is what good dyslexia tutoring looks like, the qualifications to ask about, and how to find a tutor who has done it before.
What good dyslexia tutoring focuses on
Dyslexia is a lifelong specific learning difficulty, not something tutoring cures. What a specialist tutor does is teach the skills and strategies that help a child read, write and feel capable.
Structured literacy
Systematic, cumulative phonics, reading and spelling, taught in small steps that build on each other.
Multisensory methods
Seeing, hearing, saying and writing together, so more than one sense reinforces each new pattern.
Memory and processing
Practical strategies that reduce overload and help a child hold and organise information.
Confidence
Rebuilding belief and motivation after a child has struggled, often the difference that unlocks progress.
Qualifications to ask a dyslexia tutor about
TutorLab lists tutors and you choose, so it is worth asking a prospective tutor directly about their specialist training. These are the credentials that signal real SpLD experience.
| Credential | What it means |
|---|---|
| AMBDA | Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association, holds an accredited specialist SpLD teaching qualification |
| PATOSS member | Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties |
| Level 5 or Level 7 SpLD | Accredited specialist teaching (Level 5) or diagnostic assessment (Level 7) qualifications |
| QTS with SEN experience | A qualified teacher who has supported learners with specific learning difficulties in the classroom |
TutorLab does not assess or verify qualifications on your behalf. Always ask the tutor for details and, where relevant, proof of training and a current DBS check.
Finding a dyslexia tutor on TutorLab
Browse tutors by subject and area, read their profiles, and message the ones who mention SpLD or SEN experience directly. There are no agency fees and you keep the conversation with the tutor, not a middleman.
Dyslexia tutoring: common questions
Can tutoring help a child with dyslexia?
Yes. Specialist structured-literacy tutoring can support reading, spelling, writing and confidence. The Education Endowment Foundation finds one-to-one tuition adds around four months' additional progress on average. Tutoring does not cure dyslexia, which is a lifelong specific learning difficulty, but the right structured approach makes a real, lasting difference.
What qualifications should a dyslexia tutor have?
Look for a specialist SpLD qualification (Level 5 or Level 7), Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), or PATOSS membership. A qualified teacher (QTS) with genuine SEN experience can also be a strong fit. Ask the tutor directly about their training and experience with dyslexia before you book.
Does my child need a diagnosis before getting a tutor?
No. A specialist tutor can support a struggling reader without a formal diagnosis. That said, a diagnostic assessment from an educational psychologist or a qualified Level 7 assessor gives the clearest picture of your child's needs. A tutor does not diagnose dyslexia.
How much does a dyslexia tutor cost in the UK?
Specialist SpLD tutors often charge a little more than general subject tutors because of the additional training involved. Rates vary by location and experience. You can compare typical figures on our private tutor rates page before you decide.
Is online or in-person tutoring better for dyslexia?
Both can work well. What matters more than the format is the tutor's structured approach, specialist experience and rapport with your child. Many dyslexia tutors deliver excellent sessions online with shared screens and the right tools.
Not sure where to start? Read how to choose a tutor, or see typical private tutor rates. For younger children, our primary tutoring guide may help too.
Find a tutor who understands dyslexia
Search by subject and area, read real profiles, and message tutors with specialist experience directly. No agency fees, no waiting.