Reading with Dyslexia: Five Strategies for Neurodivergent Adult Readers

Writing for the neurodivergent community, I will often have adults tell me they read little because it is too difficult with dyslexia. And that is perfectly fine if that is something that they are happy with. While I think books are amazing and could not live without them, I know that is—at least—partially fueled because they are also my special interest. However, if you are dyslexic, or even if you want to get back into reading as a neurodivergent individual, here are some strategies that may help you.

A special note: not every strategy will work. We are all unique people. Trying out a variety of strategies until you find the one, or ones, that work for you is a valid strategy.

1.     Audiobooks

Audiobooks first started as an accessibility modification for blind and visually impaired individuals. They are also a great resource for neurodivergent individuals as well. Instead of focusing on the words on the page, you can focus on the language and the story. Another strategy is to listen to the audiobook while you follow along with a print or e-book copy. While this is a common technique given to younger neurodivergent readers to help strengthen their reading skills, it works with adults as well.  

Audiobooks may not work for everyone, especially if you have difficulties with audio processing.

You may have heard that audiobooks are not reading, but the research proves that wrong. While reading text may help improve cognitive skills (another reason to use both print and audiobooks at the same time, if able), there is evidence that the same parts of the brain are used for processing the narrative aspects of both formats of reading.[1]

2.     Read shorter books

Novellas, or shorter novels, are a great way to get the benefits of reading without the commitment (and possible frustration) of a four-hundred-page book. A longer book does not mean a better book. Storytelling standards have changed over the centuries. One reason that the longer novel is now seen as the staple of a story is because of the serialization of novels back when Dickens was writing. If you were being paid by the word and wanted to keep people coming back to the magazine, you would draw out the story as well.

With recent changes in printing, even traditional publishers are moving more towards novella-length stories. Finishing a one-hundred-page book that gives you a satisfying, well-written read is just as valid as a four-hundred-page volume.

3.     Read what you love

Reading is reading. If you love romance, then read romance. If your pleasure is comics and/or manga, then read those! There is no need to force yourself to read the classics if they do not interest you. To be honest, the “classics” are typically all written by cis white men, so maybe they shouldn’t be held up as the gold standard of reading.

To be clear, I still advocate for reading diversely. However, when you are first coming back to reading, finishing that first book is more important. Then you can explore within the space you know you enjoy. Maybe pick up a romance by a Black author, or read a manga about bipolar disorder.

There is something to be said about reading a book with your representation on the page. That is why I write queer and neurodiverse SFF, so that we get to be the main characters in the story. As a reader, I still feel a thrill when I read an own-voice autistic book.

4.     Use the Dyslexia font

One amazing aspect of reading on e-readers is that you can change the font and font size you use. Many e-readers have the dyslexia font as a standard choice. On others, you can sideload it. The font was specifically developed to make it easier for dyslexic individuals to read by increasing spacing between letters and giving heavier weight to the bottom of letters.[2] It is the default font on my e-reader (yes, I am a dyslexic writer!), and my brain is thrilled when I use it. Some print books are formatted in this font. However, they are harder to find and, because of the expense of producing them, are mostly done by bigger publishers.

If you are not dyslexic, you may still find value in changing the settings of your fonts and sizes. You may also prefer to read in dark mode, a setting available on most e-readers as well.

5.     Join a Book Club

This may seem like a daunting suggestion, but I’m not saying you should join any book club full of strangers who read books at a faster pace than you can fathom. Join a book club with other dyslexic readers, or create one of your own. You can also buddy read with a friend or family member. Make sure to set a pace that is reasonable for everyone involved, and most importantly, leave time for discussion. Having people to converse with as you are reading can help with comprehension, critical thinking skills, and strengthen your reading skills for more books. Also, the social aspect can be a positive reward, increasing your love of books.

I hope you found these strategies helpful. Having dyslexia does not mean you can’t love stories, just love them in a way that works for you. For me, that means a lot of spell checks and great editors while I write, using dark mode and the dyslexic font on my devices, and including audiobooks in my reading formats. How it looks for you may be different.

If you want to check out some science-fiction and fantasy books that include neurodiverse and queer characters, you can check out my books here.