Video #29 – Environmental Modifications for Dyslexics

In this video (#29 in my series introducing my new book The Power of Neurodiversity), I examine how people with dyslexia can modify text using a word processor such as Microsoft Word to make it easier to read. Most word processing programs have many features that we don’t take full advantage of that could make reading and studying easier and more satisfying. Something as simple as making the background of the text a warm color like yellow or orange, can make all the difference in a person’s reading experience, especially when compared to cooler colors like blue and green. Similarly, there are certain fonts that are more easily read by dyslexics such as Times New Roman and a specially designed font for dyslexics called Dyslexie. The video also looks at other things we can do to change the text, including: syllabifying words, making the distance between words greater, chunking the material into smaller paragraphs, using bullet points or numbers to chunk the material into smaller units, using the highlighting feature, and also taking advantage of the text-to-speech feature which will read to you whatever is on the screen. It’s never been easier for a person with dyslexia to access the written word with the many wonders given to us by technological advances. At the same time, it’s still important to learn to read better, master the phonology of word sounds, increase one’s vocabulary, and acquire other reading skills. But knowing some of these ”text tricks” can also make your reading life less stressful and more rewarding!