Book Review: Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.

Yes—Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D., is worth reading, and it is one of my favorite books on dyslexia. Shaywitz, of Yale, structures the book so it builds from foundational understanding to practical application, making it accessible no matter where you are in your journey. I first read it while studying at the Dyslexia Training Institute to become an Orton-Gillingham tutor, and I returned to the updated edition years later while developing the Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum for Apricot Tree Academy.

What is Overcoming Dyslexia about?

Overcoming Dyslexia is a complete, science-based guide to understanding and supporting dyslexia across the lifespan.

The first time I read it, I had just begun uncovering my own child’s dyslexia—though she had not yet been officially diagnosed. Eager to learn everything I could, this book became one of my first deep dives into understanding dyslexia. Fast forward ten years, and I turned to the updated edition to refresh my knowledge with the most up-to-date research. Once again, I found myself learning even more. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge, and it offers invaluable insights for parents of dyslexic children, adults with dyslexia, educators, and advocates alike.

Who is this book for?

Shaywitz writes for a broad audience, and the book earns its place on several different shelves. It offers something useful whether you are just starting out or years into supporting a reader.

• Parents of dyslexic children who want to understand what is happening in their child’s brain and what to do about it.
• Adults with dyslexia looking to understand their own experience.
• Educators who want a clear, scientific grounding in how reading develops.
• Advocates supporting families through diagnosis and intervention.

If you are still gathering your bearings after a recent diagnosis, you may also find our guide on what to do first after a dyslexia diagnosis a helpful companion to Shaywitz’s book.

What’s inside the book, section by section?

Shaywitz organizes the book into sections that build on one another, from the science to real-world application.

• The history and brain science of dyslexia. The first section provides a deep dive into the history of dyslexia, who it affects, and how it functions in the brain. The brain research alone makes this book a must-read for anyone seeking a clear, scientific understanding of dyslexia.
• Early signs and diagnosis. The second section moves from theory to practice, covering early signs of dyslexia, diagnostic processes, identifying at-risk individuals, and recognizing dyslexia in adults. If you’re just beginning to explore whether your child may have dyslexia, this section is a great starting point, with clear guidance on when and how to seek testing.
• How children with dyslexia learn to read. As a dyslexia tutor, the third section is my favorite. Here, Shaywitz explores how children with dyslexia learn to read, providing both research and practical strategies. She reassures parents and educators that with the right approach, dyslexic students can become successful readers.
• Turning struggling readers into proficient readers. The fourth section expands on intervention strategies. It goes beyond decoding to fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and even self-esteem building—key elements in helping dyslexic students thrive.
• School choices. The fifth section discusses how to find a school that supports dyslexic learners and how to work with schools to meet your child’s needs.
• Post-secondary education. The sixth section addresses college selection, self-advocacy, and strategies for adult learners, including organization strategies for handling college workloads and navigating accommodations.
• Making it work for the dyslexic child and adult. The final section covers ADHD, anxiety, assistive technology, accommodations, and legal rights.

Structured literacy is an explicit, systematic approach to teaching reading that aligns with the Science of Reading and the research Shaywitz draws on throughout the book. If you want to go deeper on the methods behind effective instruction, our overview of the Science of Reading pairs well with the third and fourth sections.

What did I wish were different?

No book is perfect, and a few sections landed differently for me as a parent juggling real-world constraints.

• The school-choices section, while informative, didn’t feel as relevant to me. As a parent with multiple children and real-world constraints—jobs, finances, and location—choosing a specialized private school wasn’t an option for my family, and I imagine many parents may feel the same.
• On post-secondary support, I wish there were even more resources to help dyslexic students transition into higher education and the workforce. We put so much emphasis on early intervention, but ongoing support into adulthood is just as critical.
• In the final section, some topics felt a bit underdeveloped—especially the discussion on laws and rights, which I wish had been explored in more detail.

Is it worth reading?

Overall, Overcoming Dyslexia is an outstanding resource and one of my favorite books on dyslexia. If I have one critique, it’s that I want more—but with nearly 600 pages of research and guidance, it’s already a comprehensive and invaluable tool. This book belongs at the top of every parent’s reading list if they have a struggling reader, and it’s an essential reference for educators and advocates as well.

If you’re ready to put the science into practice at home, the structured, multisensory approach Shaywitz describes is exactly what our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum is built on—and you can find the companion workbook on Amazon.