Strategies for Managing Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
- Dyslexia is a learning disability/difference in reading that impacts 20% of the population.
- Common characteristics include difficulty with reading fluency and accuracy, decoding words, reading aloud, and sequencing.
- People with dyslexia may also have a hard time with spelling, writing, language processing, and learning foreign languages.
What Can Dyslexia Look Like?
- A student with dyslexia may be reading their economics textbook and find that they are struggling to keep their pace on the page. The words may seem to shift, and letters sometimes appear to reverse or blur together. For example, the word “bought” may appear as “dought,” or “left” will look like “felt.” This can make the reading process slow and frustrating.
- Even when a student with dyslexia reads carefully, they may have to go back and read a sentence multiple times to understand it. They may find it difficult to grasp the bigger picture or central themes of text. It might feel easier to focus on small, detailed aspects of the text, but harder to connect those details into a coherent understanding of the main argument or concept.
Reading Strategies for Students Navigating Dyslexia
Do you avoid reading because it is challenging?
- Set time-based or page-based reading goals: Set a timer for focused reading sessions (e.g., 15-20 minutes) or identify how many pages (e.g., 5-10 pages) you plan to read before taking a break. Setting specific goals can create a sense of achievement. You can also incorporate rewards when you achieve reading goals.
- Chunk information: Break text into smaller, more manageable chunks in order to reduce feelings of overwhelm. For example, if you are assigned to read a scientific article, read a paragraph or section fully before moving on to the next one.
Having trouble understanding what you read?
- Use the “SQ3R” method: This approach helps you get the most out of your reading assignments by creating notes from your reading that promote deeper learning.
- Discuss with your peers/TAs/instructors: Engage in discussions with peers or your teaching team to reinforce concepts, ask questions, and clarify misunderstandings. For example, if you attend office hours for your biology class, you might start off by explaining your own understanding of photosynthesis. You can then ask your TA if you are understanding it correctly and what else they might add to your definition.
- Use visualization techniques: Create mental images and associate them with different words. By having a mental visualization, you will be more likely to recognize words, better comprehend a text, and retain information. For example, you might be studying for a history exam that requires you to read and comprehend key terms such as “revolution.” Whenever you see the word “revolution,” you might picture a spinning globe or tornado to associate the word with motion and change. You might also imagine a historical scene, such as soldiers in battle during the American revolution, to help remember that the term is associated with a significant upheaval or societal shift.
Do you struggle with reading accuracy and fluency?
- Repetition and practice: Reading accuracy and fluency develop over time with substantial practice. The more opportunities you have to practice reading will help you improve your fluency. Practice using reading material that is of interest to you. For example, you might practice reading aloud 10-15 minutes per day with a fictional book of your choice. By reading aloud, you can practice pronunciation, improve your word recognition, and build fluency. You can even record yourself reading aloud and listen to the recording to assess your progress.
Do you find that reading takes a long time?
- It is normal and expected that students with dyslexia take longer to read and comprehend written material.
- You may wish to explore strategies about the fundamentals of efficient reading.
The Importance of Assistive Technology
For people with dyslexia, assistive technology provides tools that ease the demands of reading. These tools can help you navigate reading-related challenges, as well as help you learn more efficiently and independently.
Text-to-speech software: Converts written text into spoken words. Text-to-speech allows users to hear words while following along visually. This dual channel processing can help enhance understanding and retention.
- Speechify (free for Stanford students): An application for smart phones and computers that converts text to audio formats. Speechify features visual highlighting of spoken text and allows you to change the pace and voice.
- SCRIBE (free for Stanford students): A document conversion tool that converts text or image-based files into audio formats that you can listen to.
Audiobooks: Provide reading material in an auditory format. Listening to books can help you focus more on comprehension and increase engagement with written material.
Digital reading formatting tools: Adjust font size, font colors, and/or background colors.
- E-Readers (e.g., Kindles, iPads): Have many features, including adjustable font sizes and background colors, which can make it easier to read digital material.
- Web browsers: Adjust the font, font size, and background color using your web browser’s reading mode. Play around with the settings to see what helps you the most. Google Chrome’s reader mode also offers a reading ruler to help you focus on each line of text.
- BeeLine Reader (free for Stanford students): Uses an eye-guiding color gradient to help you read more easily, as well as maintain your focus and attention.
Paraphrasing tools: Help paraphrase complex sentences as you read.
- Rewordify: A free online software that converts complex words and sentences into simpler sentences that are easier to read. The software highlights paraphrased words and defines complex terms. This can help you improve your fluency and comprehension when reading complex passages.
For people with dyslexia, reading is a challenging and often time-consuming process. Try different strategies and see what works best for you. Remember that change takes time – be patient and persistent as you work on these skills.
If you would like additional support or want to brainstorm individualized strategies to help manage your dyslexia, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with one of our neurodiversity-focused academic coaches.
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Strategies for Managing Dyslexia
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