How to Improve Reading Speed If You Have Dyslexia

Dyslexics can increase their reading speed by practicing more frequently, avoiding subvocalization, improving their visual span, and expanding their vocabulary.

It may surprise you to learn that those who have dyslexia have a higher probability of becoming proficient speed readers. In his book “Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World,” Jeffrey Freed argues that children with dyslexia are good quick readers in addition to being exceptional problem-solvers.

Most of us have a left-brain dominant brain. Thus, slow reading typically occurs there, whereas fast reading happens in the right brain (people with dyslexia are right-brain dominant). Because of this, speed reading is attainable and enjoyable for those with dyslexia.

It goes without saying that fast reading is essential to manage academic tasks and going through your extensive resources (which must be done in a short period of time). 

This article will discuss what dyslexia is, how it can affect your reading speed, and what people suffering from it can do to improve their reading speed.

Read on to learn more.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is characterized by significant difficulty decoding words quickly and accurately (the inability to decode written words and the difficulties of matching letters to their intended sounds). It is a learning disability characterized by having difficulty reading at a level that is appropriate for one’s age. 

The severity of the effects varies between individuals. Spelling, reading rapidly, writing, “sounding out” words in one’s brain, reading aloud, and understanding what one reads are just a few of the potential issues. 

These issues are frequently initially identified in school. The challenges are unintentional, and those with this condition have a normal desire to learn. 

The interplay of genetic and environmental variables is thought to be the root cause of dyslexia. Some cases are hereditary.

Dyslexia is sometimes referred to as “acquired dyslexia” or alexia when it results from a stroke, dementia, or severe brain injury. 

The fundamental causes of dyslexia are the variations in how the brain processes language.

A set of memory, vision, spelling and reading skill tests are used to diagnose it. However, it is good to note that dyslexia is distinct from reading challenges brought on by unsuitable instruction, lack of learning opportunities, or issues with hearing or vision.

About 15% to 20% of people in the population exhibit some dyslexia symptoms. Even though the prognosis is frightening, there are strategies to help with language and comprehension. 

One highly recommended place to begin is by learning how to speed read.

How does dyslexia affect your reading speed?

A learner with dyslexia finds it challenging to decode or sound out words and recognize them. It is therefore challenging to read fluently. Additionally, a lack of phonemic awareness may contribute to the spelling difficulty associated with dyslexia and reading difficulties.

Students with dyslexia may find it difficult to hear the subtle differences between each sound in the language because it may take them longer than other students to make the connection between the sound and the combination of letters. Students’ reading skills can improve when they hear and form these sounds.

According to the Simple View of Reading by Gough and Tunmer, reading is the outcome of decoding and linguistic understanding. Recognizing the words on a printed page is known as decoding. 

The abilities and mechanisms required to comprehend languages, such as vocabulary, background knowledge, focus, and memory, are referred to as language comprehension. 

The two elements of reading fluency interact and depend on one another; if either one of them is weak, reading comprehension as a whole will suffer. 

A reader who has trouble decoding won’t be able to understand a text, and a reader who has trouble understanding spoken language won’t get much of a reward for their effortless decoding.

Poor word recognition by the reader, which makes it challenging to focus on meaning, is most likely the root of poor reading comprehension. 

It should be improved to at least the listening comprehension level by explicit and methodical training in the dependable reading material and spelling patterns of written language.

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