What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological learning difference that affects how the brain processes written language. It is not a sign of low intelligence — dyslexic people often have strong creative, spatial, and problem-solving abilities. Approximately 1 in 5 people have some degree of dyslexia, making it the most common learning difference worldwide. With the right support, every dyslexic learner can build strong reading skills.
What is structured literacy?
Structured literacy is an evidence-based approach to teaching reading that is systematic, explicit, and cumulative. It teaches the connections between sounds (phonemes) and letters (graphemes) in a logical sequence, building from simple to complex. The International Dyslexia Association recommends structured literacy as the most effective approach for dyslexic learners. Lexy's entire curriculum is built on this methodology.
What is the Orton-Gillingham method?
The Orton-Gillingham method is a multisensory structured literacy approach developed specifically for dyslexic learners. It combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile (VAKT) input simultaneously — so learners see a letter, hear its sound, and trace it with their finger at the same time. Research by Sally Shaywitz (2020) confirms that this multisensory approach significantly improves reading outcomes for dyslexic learners compared to standard instruction. Lexy implements Orton-Gillingham principles through its Voice, Touch, and Type interaction modes.
What are the signs of dyslexia in children?
Common signs include difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words, slow or inaccurate reading, trouble with spelling, avoiding reading aloud, and confusing similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q). Children may also have strong verbal skills but struggle with written tasks, or take much longer than peers to complete reading assignments. If you notice these patterns, a formal assessment from a qualified specialist is the best next step. Tools like Lexy can supplement — but not replace — professional evaluation.
At what age should dyslexia intervention begin?
The earlier, the better. Research consistently shows that intervention is most effective when it begins in early primary school (ages 5-7), while the brain's reading pathways are still developing. However, it is never too late to improve. Older children, teenagers, and adults with dyslexia all benefit from structured literacy instruction. Lexy supports learners from age 4 through adulthood, with adaptive difficulty that adjusts to any starting level.
How does Lexy use AI to support dyslexic learners?
Lexy uses Google's Gemini AI to create personalised learning content for each session. The AI generates adaptive exercises tailored to each student's specific phonics level and interests, uses Google Cloud Text-to-Speech for natural voice narration with SSML prosody, and tracks phoneme-level performance to adjust difficulty in real time. No two sessions are the same — every exercise is freshly generated to keep learners engaged.
How is Lexy different from traditional dyslexia tutoring?
Unlike traditional dyslexia tutoring that can feel clinical and repetitive, Lexy transforms learning into a fun, game-based experience. It provides immediate feedback, personalised difficulty levels, and built-in rewards that keep dyslexic learners engaged. Lexy is available 24/7 at a fraction of tutoring costs, and adapts in real time. Many families use Lexy either as a complete alternative to tutoring or as a supplement to maximise progress between sessions.
What platforms does Lexy support?
Lexy is available on iOS (iPhone and iPad) and macOS. We also offer a web platform for schools and educators at dyslexia.ai/platform. Our goal is to make Lexy's interactive dyslexia games and reading tools accessible to as many learners as possible, regardless of their device. Android support is planned for the future.
What does Lexy's curriculum cover?
Lexy follows a structured literacy progression with five stages: Phonics (50+ modules covering letter sounds, blends, digraphs, and vowel patterns), Spelling (encoding words through morphological awareness and syllable patterns), Reading (decoding with a 10,000+ word dictionary matched to current skill level), Fluency (timed exercises building speed, rhythm, and accuracy), and Comprehension (AI-generated questions that develop meaning, inference, and critical thinking skills).
Is Lexy free?
Yes, Lexy has a free tier that provides access to core learning features. Premium membership unlocks the full structured literacy programme with 50+ phonics modules, the complete 10,000+ word dictionary, augmented reality rewards, detailed progress reports, and advanced AI narration. Premium costs $3.99/month or $29.99/year. We also offer an Ambassador Programme for families who cannot afford Premium — because financial circumstances should never be a barrier to learning.
What does the Educational Plan offer for schools?
The Educational Plan ($200/year) transforms dyslexia instruction in classroom settings. Students receive full Premium access, while educators get a comprehensive dashboard with individual progress tracking, detailed session reviews, and Apple Classroom integration. Teachers can monitor phonics mastery, identify struggling areas, and generate progress reports for parents and SEN coordinators. Free for up to 5 students to start.
What is the Ambassador Programme?
The Ambassador Programme provides free Premium access to families who cannot afford the subscription. We believe every dyslexic learner deserves access to quality tools regardless of financial circumstances. If you or someone you know needs support, contact us at hello@dyslexia.ai — no proof of income required, no questions asked.
How can teachers get started with Lexy?
Setting up Lexy for your classroom is simple: 1) Create an account at dyslexia.ai/platform, 2) Set up your school profile, 3) Invite students (each needs a Lexy account), 4) Start assigning sessions. Our support team helps with institutional onboarding, and the educator dashboard gives you real-time visibility into every student's progress. Start free with up to 5 students.
How much time should my child spend on Lexy each day?
We recommend 15-20 minutes of daily practice for optimal results. Consistency matters more than duration — short, regular sessions build stronger reading pathways than occasional long ones. Lexy's session structure and reward system are designed around this timeframe to maintain engagement without fatigue. Most users report increased reading confidence within the first few weeks of consistent daily use.
How does Lexy protect student privacy?
Student privacy is our top priority. We use anonymised data, secure all personal information with industry-standard encryption, and fully comply with GDPR (EU) and COPPA (US) regulations. We never sell data, never show ads, and never share student information with third parties. All AI processing uses student data only to personalise their learning — nothing else. Parents and teachers can feel confident that student data is protected.
Is Lexy safe for young children to use independently?
Yes. Lexy is designed to be safe for independent use by children aged 4 and up. There are no ads, no in-app purchases that bypass parental controls, no social features, no external links, and no user-generated content. The app is rated 4+ on the App Store. All content is generated by our AI within strict safety guidelines, and every exercise is age-appropriate.
How quickly will I see results?
Most users report increased reading confidence within the first few weeks of consistent use (15-20 minutes daily). Measurable improvements in reading fluency and accuracy typically emerge after 1-3 months of regular practice. Our data shows a 27% average reading improvement across active users. The gamified approach keeps learners engaged, which leads to more consistent practice and faster results compared to traditional methods.
What research supports Lexy's approach?
Lexy's methodology is grounded in decades of reading science. Our structured literacy approach aligns with recommendations from the International Dyslexia Association (2018) and research by Sally Shaywitz, M.D. (Overcoming Dyslexia, 2020), which demonstrates that multisensory instruction with visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements significantly improves reading outcomes for dyslexic learners. Our adaptive AI engine ensures each session stays within the learner's zone of proximal development.
Can Lexy help adults with dyslexia?
Absolutely. While many of our users are children, Lexy's adaptive difficulty system works for learners of all ages. The content adjusts to adult vocabulary and interests, and the structured literacy approach is effective regardless of age. Many adults use Lexy to strengthen reading skills they never fully developed, or to build confidence for professional settings. It is never too late to improve your reading.
What accessibility features does Lexy offer?
Lexy is WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant and includes high contrast mode, a dyslexia-friendly font option (OpenDyslexic), VoiceOver and screen reader support, adjustable text sizes, and keyboard navigation. The app is designed with neurodivergent users in mind — clean interfaces, clear instructions, and no overwhelming visual clutter. We believe learning tools should be accessible to everyone who needs them.