Connecticut Dyslexia Resources
Get K-3 reading screening, free parent help and free dyslexia tutoring; request an evaluation in writing.
More about dyslexia help in Connecticut
Connecticut requires approved K-3 reading screening and science-based reading curricula, with approved waivers. Screening identifies reading risk; it does not diagnose dyslexia.
Ask your district in writing for a disability evaluation. The usual referral-to-services deadline is 45 school days, excluding consent time; out-of-district or private placement allows 60 school days.
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in Connecticut.
Free parent help
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
Get free telephone help with special education and school disagreements
FreeEspañolState dyslexia guidance
Connecticut Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
Get official dyslexia guidance, family information and educator training support
FreeSpecial education office
Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Special Education
Read Connecticut rules and guidance for dyslexia evaluations and special education
Free
More go-to contacts
Free audiobooks
Connecticut Library for Accessible Books(opens in a new tab)
Parent-led dyslexia group
Decoding Dyslexia - Connecticut(opens in a new tab)
Department of education
Connecticut State Department of Education(opens in a new tab)
Adult reading help
Connecticut Adult Education(opens in a new tab)
Job help for adults
Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services(opens in a new tab)
How to get help in Connecticut
The steps and deadlines in Connecticut rules.
Put the referral in writing
Send a written referral to the school district asking the Planning and Placement Team to evaluate the student for special education.
Give written evaluation consent
Consent is required before testing. Each consent request, for evaluation and initial services, can pause the clock for up to 10 school days.
- Time limit: 45 school days
Track the referral-to-services deadline
Evaluation, eligibility and initial IEP services are due within 45 school days of written referral, excluding time to obtain consent.
- Time limit: 60 school days
Check a placement exception
If the IEP calls for out-of-district or private placement, implementation is due within 60 school days of referral, excluding consent time.
- Time limit: 3 school days
Request reports before the meeting
On request, the district provides initial evaluation reports at least 3 school days before the eligibility meeting. Help decide the IEP.
Challenge a disagreement
If you disagree, ask the district about an independent educational evaluation, mediation, a state complaint or due process hearing.
Connecticut dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Yes
What it says
K-3 students receive approved literacy screening in fall, winter and spring, including measures that help identify dyslexia risk.
C.G.S. § 10-14t; P.A. 21-168; June Special Session P.A. 21-2 (2021)
Help after screening
Partly
What it says
In alliance districts, K-3 students below reading level get extra instruction and reading plans; other help depends on eligibility.
Teacher training
Yes
What it says
Teacher programs must cover dyslexia. Since September 2023, specified new certificate applicants need at least 12 hours of it.
Dyslexia defined in law
Yes
What it says
State law adopts the education department's dyslexia definition by reference; it addresses decoding, word recognition and spelling.
C.G.S. § 10-3d; P.A. 15-97 (2015)
State dyslexia handbook
Yes
What it says
The state publishes dyslexia rules, FAQs, testing guidance, and a resource collection from its Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities.
State dyslexia specialist
Yes
What it says
The Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities is a dedicated state office responsible for dyslexia and structured literacy implementation.
C.G.S. § 10-14z (2021)
Science of reading law
Yes
What it says
K-3 science-based reading curricula are required; delayed adopters had to fully implement by 2025-26, with approved waivers allowed.
C.G.S. §§ 10-14hh, 10-14ii; June Special Session P.A. 21-2; P.A. 23-167 (2021)
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in Connecticut
Pick what you need.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
Fairfield University Reading and Language Development Community Clinics (opens in a new tab)
Get diagnostic reading evaluations and supervised one-to-one structured literacy intervention
The Southport CoLAB Free Reading Screenings (opens in a new tab)
Get a free reading-risk screening for age 4 through grade 3, by appointment
University of Connecticut Speech and Hearing Clinic (opens in a new tab)
Ask about reading and writing assessment and therapy for students and adults
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
Boundless Literacy (opens in a new tab)
Serves New Haven County
Get intensive small-group reading instruction through partner schools
Waterbury Children's Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Get free one-to-one Orton-Gillingham-based tutoring for students with dyslexia
Audiobooks and tech
Keep learning while reading catches up.
EASTCONN (Public Regional Educational Service Center) Assistive Technology (opens in a new tab)
Get help using reading, writing and organization technology at school or work
United Cerebral Palsy of Eastern Connecticut Assistive Technology (opens in a new tab)
Try free assistive-device loans; ask about paid assessments and training
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
Literacy Volunteers on the Green (opens in a new tab)
Serves Litchfield and Fairfield counties
Get free adult reading and writing tutoring in Litchfield and northern Fairfield counties
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Literacy How (opens in a new tab)
Learn evidence-based reading methods through educator coaching and free instructional videos
State Education Resource Center Dyslexia Initiative (opens in a new tab)
Find dyslexia learning modules and structured literacy training for educators and families
Schools for dyslexia in Connecticut
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
18 of 18 shown
- Dyslexia school
Eagle Hill School(opens in a new tab)
Greenwich · Fairfield County · Grades 1-8
Get small-group Orton-Gillingham-based instruction at a specialized school in Greenwich
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
The Southport School(opens in a new tab)
Southport · Fairfield County · Grades 2-8
Get daily Orton-Gillingham reading instruction at a specialized day school
Financial aid - PrivateExtra reading help
Marvelwood School(opens in a new tab)
Kent · Litchfield County · Grades High school
Get daily one-to-one Orton-Gillingham instruction through the school's paid learning-support program
Financial aid - Public districtClassroom program
Greenwich Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Fairfield County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Norwalk Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Fairfield County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Hartford Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Hartford County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Barkhamsted School District(opens in a new tab)
Litchfield County
UFLI Foundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
New Milford Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Litchfield County
UFLI Foundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Plymouth Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Litchfield County
UFLI Foundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Cromwell Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Middlesex County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Ansonia Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
New Haven County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Hamden Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
New Haven County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Madison Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Madison · New Haven County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Groton Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
New London County
UFLI Foundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Ledyard Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
New London County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Bolton Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Tolland County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Vernon Public Schools(opens in a new tab)
Tolland County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
- Public districtClassroom program
Eastford School District(opens in a new tab)
Windham County
Fundations phonics lessons in K-3 classrooms, as the district reports to the state.
Dyslexia help by county in Connecticut
Local schools, groups, and services in each guide.
How Connecticut reads
Students and adults, next to the whole U.S.
4th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
8th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
Adults who struggle to read
Ages 16 to 74 at or below Level 1 in a national adult skills survey (PIAAC), data through 2017
NAEP Proficient is a high bar, not the same as “on grade level.” Adult figures are model estimates. Sources: The Nation’s Report Card and the U.S. PIAAC Skills Map, both from NCES.
See reading scores in every stateAlso good, in every state
Bookshare (opens in a new tab)
Ebooks read aloud with highlighting, free for U.S. students with dyslexia; adults pay a yearly fee.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) (opens in a new tab)
Find your state's federally funded parent center for help with special education.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Provider Directory (opens in a new tab)
Search IDA's directory for dyslexia testing, tutoring, therapy, and advocacy near you.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential advice on job accommodations for adults with dyslexia, by phone or email.
Learning Ally (opens in a new tab)
Human-read audiobooks for students with dyslexia. Families pay yearly; your school may already offer it.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) (opens in a new tab)
Free audiobooks by mail or app for children and adults with a reading disability like dyslexia.
Connecticut dyslexia questions
Does Connecticut screen young students for reading risk?
Yes. Schools serving kindergarten through grade 3 must use an approved literacy screening assessment; screening can identify risk for dyslexia but is not a diagnosis.
SourceHow long does a Connecticut special education evaluation take?
Usually 45 school days from written referral through initial IEP implementation, excluding consent time. An IEP requiring out-of-district or private placement allows 60 school days; summer and preschool rules differ.
SourceIs dyslexia recognized in Connecticut special education?
Yes. Connecticut includes dyslexia within specific learning disability and requires the team to determine whether the disability is dyslexia when the student qualifies.
SourceWhere can families get free special education help?
Call the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center for free telephone assistance about disability and education. Its parent consultants can help families understand the school process.
SourceCan a student get a 504 plan without an IEP?
Yes, if the student meets Section 504 eligibility rules. An IEP provides special education; Section 504 can provide supports for a qualifying student who does not need special education.
SourceWhat if I disagree with the school's evaluation?
You can request an independent educational evaluation at public expense. The district must fund it or request a hearing to defend its evaluation; mediation and state complaints are other options.
SourceAre there schools for dyslexia in Connecticut?
Yes. This guide lists 2 schools built for students with dyslexia: Eagle Hill School (Greenwich), The Southport School (Southport). Public districts with reading programs are listed too.
Can someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut Library for Accessible Books lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in Connecticut?
In 2024, 36% of Connecticut 4th graders scored Proficient in reading on the NAEP test (U.S.: 30%). Proficient is a high bar: solid grade-level reading and more.
Neighboring states
Learn more
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Sources for this page (12)
- portal.ct.gov — Official office page.
- cpacinc.org — Summary: free statewide parent assistance.
- childrensdyslexiacenters.org — Summary: free dyslexia tutoring; eligibility and waitlist must be confirmed with center.
- cga.ct.gov — 10-14hh: full implementation from July 1, 2025 for delayed adopters; waiver curricula from July 1, 2024. 10-14ii covers phonemic awareness, phonics and other reading components. No three-cueing ban claimed.
- portal.ct.gov — Official implementation guidance includes charter schools and approved private special education programs.
- cga.ct.gov — Section 1 requires state guidance on tiered support or response-to-intervention frameworks for struggling readers; report due January 1, 2028. Enacted June 4, 2026; proposed screening amendments were not enacted in this act.
- cga.ct.gov — Section 10-3d incorporates the Department of Education IEP Manual and Forms definition, as amended.
- portal.ct.gov — Working definition and special education eligibility clarification.
- portal.ct.gov — Official documents page lists assessment and intervention guidance.
- portal.ct.gov — Exception for an IEP requiring out-of-district or private placement, not a parent choosing private school.
- portal.ct.gov — Upon parent request, district must provide initial assessment results before the meeting; this is not a parent request deadline.
- portal.ct.gov — Official parent guide is the state source for rights and dispute options.
We list official, nonprofit, university, and well-known services, checked by people. No paid listings. Not legal or medical advice; confirm details with each organization.
Dyslexia resources in every state