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Successful Steps Intervention
Heidi Lee, M.Ed.
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
Dyslexia Toolbox
Tips, tools, and strategies for helping struggling readers and students with dyslexia.
Welcome to Dyslexia Toolbox!
I’m Heidi—a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner with over 20 years of experience helping struggling readers succeed. This blog is here to give you practical tools, tips, and encouragement for supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or tutor, you'll find research-based strategies grounded in the Science of Reading to help your reader grow in confidence and skill.
When and How Should You Seek a Dyslexia Evaluation for Your Child?
Wondering when and how to seek a dyslexia evaluation for your child? This research-based guide explains what to watch for at every age, the difference between screening and full testing, and how to decide between school and private evaluations. Learn clear next steps so you can move forward with confidence.
Heidi Lee
4 hours ago5 min read
Can a Child Have Dyslexia and Something Else? What Parents Need to Know About Co-Occurring Conditions
If your child has dyslexia and progress feels slower than expected, there may be more going on. Dyslexia often overlaps with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, speech sound disorder, slow processing speed, or anxiety. Understanding your child’s full learning profile can feel overwhelming at first, but clarity leads to the right support and meaningful progress.
Heidi Lee
Feb 165 min read
The Dyslexic Brain: The Hidden Strengths Parents Don’t Always See
Dyslexia affects how a child learns to read, not how they think or understand the world. Learn why many children with dyslexia have real strengths that are often overlooked and how parents can begin to recognize and support them.
Heidi Lee
Feb 95 min read
What Is Dyslexia and What Is It Not? A Clear Explanation for Parents
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects word reading and spelling, not intelligence or effort. Learn what dyslexia really is, what it is not, and how it can look different as children grow.
Heidi Lee
Feb 26 min read
10 Dyslexia Myths That Keep Parents From Getting Help (And What Research Really Says)
Many parents delay getting help for dyslexia not because they ignore concerns, but because they are told things that sound reassuring. This post breaks down the most common dyslexia myths parents hear and explains what research actually shows, so families can make informed decisions sooner.
Heidi Lee
Jan 266 min read
When Your Child’s Reading Doesn’t Come Easily, What Questions Do Parents Ask?
When a child’s reading feels harder than it should, questions start to surface. This post looks at the questions parents commonly ask and what those early concerns can reveal.
Heidi Lee
Jan 196 min read
What Are the Early Signs of Dyslexia Parents Often Notice?
Noticing that learning to read feels harder than it should for your child? Early signs of dyslexia often appear in language development before reading begins. This post explains what matters, what doesn’t, and how parents can respond with confidence.
Heidi Lee
Jan 125 min read
How Do You Set Reading Goals That Actually Work for Dyslexic Learners?
Learn how skill-based, data-driven reading goals help dyslexic learners make real progress, even after other programs haven’t worked.
Heidi Lee
Jan 54 min read
Is Online Dyslexia Tutoring as Effective as In-Person? What the Research Really Shows for Kids With Dyslexia
Parents often wonder whether online dyslexia tutoring can truly be as effective as in-person instruction. Research shows that when dyslexia tutoring is structured, evidence-based, and taught by a trained specialist, students can make meaningful reading progress in either setting. This article explains what high-quality dyslexia instruction looks like, how to tell if online tutoring is a good fit for your child, and what matters most when choosing between online and in-person
Heidi Lee
Dec 16, 20256 min read
If Reading Isn’t Improving, This Overlooked Skill Might Be Why
If your child is working hard to read but still not making the progress you hoped for, the missing piece might not be more reading practice — it might be spelling.
Heidi Lee
Dec 8, 20255 min read
Why Pushing Your Struggling Reader to Love Reading Is the Wrong Goal
If your child hates reading, you are not alone. Discover why focusing on a love of learning, not a love of reading, leads to real motivation and long-term success for struggling readers.
Heidi Lee
Dec 1, 20255 min read
Just Found Out Your Child Has Dyslexia? Here’s the Advice Your Future Self Wishes You Knew
What if, in the middle of your worry, you could sit with the wisest version of yourself—the 85-year-old you who has lived the whole story with your child? Someone who has seen the struggles, victories, tears, and breakthroughs, and knows what truly matters.
Heidi Lee
Nov 24, 20255 min read
What Can Push-Ups Teach Us About Helping a Struggling Reader Regain Confidence?
I never expected push-ups to teach me so much about helping struggling readers, but my own experience with a shoulder injury showed me just how important the right plan can be.
Heidi Lee
Nov 17, 20254 min read
Test Your Knowledge: Can You Tell Dyslexia Facts from Myths?
Take this quiz to test your knowledge about dyslexia facts versus myths.
Heidi Lee
Nov 10, 20254 min read
Does Your Child Miss Sounds in Words When They Read or Spell? Here's Help!
The strategies in this post are supported by the Science of Reading. Studies show that tools like Elkonin boxes, or phoneme/ grapheme mapping help children hear each sound in a word before matching it to letters. This process builds strong phonemic awareness and improves both reading and spelling skills.
Heidi Lee
Nov 4, 20254 min read
How Can I Help My Dyslexic Child Become a More Fluent Reader?
Fluency is more than reading fast. It is reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression. For children with dyslexia, fluency can feel like the final step after decoding words.
This article explains why fluency matters, how tracking progress can boost confidence, and simple, research-backed strategies you can try at home. From baseline readings to echo, partner, and choral reading, you will learn step-by-step ways to help your child read more naturally.
Heidi Lee
Oct 28, 20255 min read
I Feel So Lost. Where Do I Even Start Learning About Dyslexia?
Just found out your child has dyslexia? Feeling lost is normal. This guide walks parents through practical resources and strategies to support their child with confidence and hope.
Heidi Lee
Oct 21, 20253 min read
Does My Child Have Dyslexia or Are They Just a Late Reader?
If your child is struggling with reading, you might ask yourself, ‘Are they just a late reader, or could this be dyslexia?’ Knowing the difference can help you act early and set them up for success.
Heidi Lee
Oct 13, 20254 min read
Is More Reading Enough to Help Struggling Readers Build Essential Skills?
Is "more reading" really the answer for struggling readers? In the education world, many believe that simply reading more will lead to better reading skills. I held this belief firmly for a large portion of my teaching career. When I taught fourth grade, I dedicated two hours daily for my students to read across all subjects, including novels, reading groups, social studies, and science. While my high-performing students flourished, my low-performing students struggled to sh
Heidi Lee
Sep 17, 20253 min read
What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Believe They Need Tutoring
Understanding and Engaging Resistant Students It can be incredibly frustrating to work with a child who doesn’t believe they need tutoring—especially when you see their potential and know how far they’ve come. For some students, particularly those who struggle with reading or have learning disabilities, this belief can be a significant barrier to progress. I’ve had this experience firsthand, working with a student who consistently told me, “I already know how to read.” Even t
Heidi Lee
Sep 20, 20245 min read
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