Understanding Reading Hurdles with Dyslexia and ADHD

June 11, 2025

Dyslexia affects approximately 1 in 5 individuals, representing a significant portion of those with learning disabilities, according to the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. For these individuals, and those with ADHD: the act of reading can present unique, often invisible, hurdles that specialised technology aims to address. It's not merely about seeing words; it's about how the brain processes them, and for many: this process can be unexpectedly challenging.

Reading Challenges: Dyslexia

For individuals with dyslexia: the printed page can sometimes feel like an Uncharted bridge sequence (where it inevitably collapses). Words might appear to blur, shift, or even reverse, such as the common confusion between 'b' and 'd'. This isn't a problem with vision itself, but with how the brain processes visual information. The cognitive effort required just to decode individual words can be immense, making reading slow and laborious. This daily struggle highlights why tools like a specialised e-reader for dyslexia are so keenly sought after.

Reading Challenges: ADHD

For those with ADHD, the difficulty often lies in sustaining attention on the text. Readers might find themselves frequently losing their place, their minds wandering, or feeling an inner restlessness that makes sitting still with a book a significant effort. This can directly impact comprehension, as crucial information might be skipped or not fully processed. It’s like trying to follow a single conversation in a crowded, noisy room; the focus is constantly pulled away.

A term that often comes up in these discussions is visual stress. This is distinct from visual acuity problems that glasses correct. Instead, visual stress refers to discomfort and a range of perceptual distortions experienced when looking at text, believed to be due to hyperactivity in certain parts of the brain. The very pattern of black text on a white page can be problematic for some.

The cumulative effect of these challenges can take an emotional toll. Imagine the persistent frustration of text that won’t stay still, or the anxiety that builds before any reading task. This can lead to lowered self-confidence in academic or work settings, impacting not just performance but also the willingness to engage with text-based information.

Summary of Reading Hurdles: Dyslexia vs. ADHD

Aspect of Reading	Challenges in Dyslexia	Challenges in ADHD	Potential Emotional Impact
Text Perception	Words appear blurry, moving, or jumbled; letter reversals; difficulty decoding words	Text is clear but hard to stay visually focused on	Frustration, overwhelmed feeling
Attention & Focus	Decoding requires intense cognitive load	Easily distracted; skips lines or loses track	Impatience, incomplete reading
Reading Fluency	Slow, labored pace; frequent re-reading	Inconsistent pace; may rush or lose focus	Low reading confidence
Comprehension	Cognitive load from decoding hinders understanding	Attention lapses lead to missed information	Anxiety over understanding/retention

The Role of Assistive Technology in Enhancing Readability

Given the hurdles described, it's clear that a standard approach to reading doesn't work for everyone. Assistive technology reading tools adapt the reading experience to individual needs, particularly for neurodivergent users.

Features of Specialised E-Readers

These features serve as both Dyslexia and ADHD reading tools, improving focus and ease of processing.

Spotlight on the Neuro Orbit E-Reader's Supportive Design

The 'Word Dotting' Feature Explained

One key innovation in the Neuro Orbit e-reader is word dotting: tiny visual anchors (dots) appear beneath or within words as users read. There is also word highlighting for those who prefer that. In any case, the advantages are the same:

Benefits:

This feature aligns with research, like the ASSETS study by Rello & Baesa-Yates (2013), showing that thoughtful text manipulation improves readability for dyslexic individuals.

Other Design Considerations

Benefits of Enhanced Visual Tracking and Reduced Strain

Improved Reading Fluency and Comprehension

With smoother visual tracking and reduced cognitive load, readers can focus on understanding, not decoding, leading to better fluency and retention.

Minimising Visual Fatigue

Features like word dotting and background adjustments reduce eye strain, allowing for longer, more comfortable reading sessions.

Boosting Confidence and Engagement

When reading becomes less stressful, readers gain confidence and may re-engage with academic or professional content that previously felt inaccessible.

Choosing the Right Reading Support for Individual Needs

Key Considerations:

The Multi-Faceted Challenge of E-Readers

There are simply too many different interfaces we read through on a daily basis, from social media, to physical books, to websites. In an ideal world: the user would benefit from a consistent interface through which they can read all text, no matter where it originates from.

It's a vision which I seek to work towards with future iterations of not only the Neuro Orbit e-reader, but also other upcoming features.

If you'd like personalised help choosing reading supports, feel free to reach out to me on Linkedin, Instagram, or directly through this site.

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