Both are Orton-Gillingham-based, multi-sensory reading programs, and both are frequently recommended for students with dyslexia. All About Reading is designed as a general phonics and reading curriculum suitable for all learners. Barton Reading and Spelling is designed specifically as a clinical-grade dyslexia intervention program.
If your child is learning to read and you want a strong, systematic phonics program, All About Reading is the right starting point. If your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia (or you suspect it) and needs targeted intervention, Barton is the more intensive and specialized program. Barton includes parent training videos and a prerequisite screening test to ensure readiness. The investment is significantly higher, but families dealing with dyslexia consistently report it as the program that finally worked.
| All About Reading | Barton Reading & Spelling | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–4th | 1st–12th+ |
| Subject | Language Arts | Language Arts |
| Philosophy | Eclectic, Charlotte Mason, Classical | Eclectic |
| Format | Books | Books |
| Orientation | Secular | Secular |
| Structure | High | High |
| Parent Time | Medium | High |
| Learning Style | Hands-On, Multi-Sensory | Multi-Sensory |
| Best For | Struggling Readers, Special Needs/2e | Special Needs/2e, Struggling Readers |
Take our free quiz to find the homeschool philosophy and curriculum that match your family.
Take the Homeschool Philosophy Quiz →