How to Read Faster with Dyslexia: Practical Strategies That Work
Reading slowly can feel isolating. When you're dyslexic, watching others breeze through a page in minutes while you're still on paragraph two is frustrating. The pressure builds, concentration falters, and you wonder if reading faster is even possible for you.
It is. Not everyone with dyslexia will read at the same speed as non-dyslexic peers, and that's okay. But you can absolutely improve your reading speed with the right approach. The key is working with your brain, not against it.
This guide covers practical, realistic strategies to help you read faster with dyslexia, alongside tools that remove common barriers to fluency.
1. Use a Finger or Pointer to Guide Your Eyes
One of the simplest ways to boost reading speed is to give your eyes a physical guide. Running your finger along the line as you read forces your eyes to stay on track, reducing the time spent searching for your place or skipping lines.
This isn't childish. It's a legitimate reading technique used by speed readers of all abilities. When you're dyslexic, your eyes can wander more easily, so a guide keeps you anchored.
Practise this for just five minutes a day. You'll notice your eyes move more smoothly within days.
2. Try Coloured Overlays or Overlaying Backgrounds
Many dyslexic readers find that certain colours reduce visual stress and fatigue. When text appears less jumbled or uncomfortable to look at, you naturally read faster because you're not battling perceptual issues with every sentence.
Experiment with different colours. Some people prefer blue or green overlays; others find pale yellow works best. The goal is finding what makes the text feel most stable to your eyes.
If you're reading on screen, you can adjust background colours in your browser. Dyslexly includes a colour overlay feature that lets you apply different tints to any webpage, which many users find dramatically improves their reading comfort and pace.
3. Adjust Font and Spacing for Better Clarity
Standard fonts often make letters blend together or flip around for dyslexic readers. A dyslexia-friendly font like OpenDyslexic is specifically designed with heavier bottoms on letters, making each one distinct and easier to distinguish.
Pairing a clear font with increased line spacing and letter spacing gives your eyes more breathing room. This reduces the cognitive load of processing each word, freeing up mental energy for actual comprehension. You read faster because you're processing less visual noise.
Start by increasing line spacing to 1.5 or double spacing in documents you control. Notice how much easier it becomes to stay on the right line.
4. Read in Shorter Sessions with Regular Breaks
Trying to read for 30 minutes straight when you're dyslexic often leads to fatigue, fatigue leads to slower speed, and slower speed leads to frustration. It's counterproductive.
Instead, practise the "pomodoro" approach: read actively for 15 or 20 minutes, then take a proper break. Move around, rest your eyes, drink water. When you return, your brain is refreshed and your reading pace typically improves.
This might sound counterintuitive, but consistency matters more than duration. Ten minutes of focused reading every day builds faster readers than two-hour weekend sessions with breaks.
5. Build Confidence Through Accessible Reading Material
Reading speed plummets when you're anxious about difficult material. Your brain slows down as it tries to decode unfamiliar words, complex sentences, and demanding subject matter simultaneously.
Choose books, articles, or websites that genuinely interest you, even if they're considered "easier" reads. When you're engaged and the material feels accessible, your natural reading pace improves. Confidence matters. A lot.
Some readers find text-to-speech helpful here: listening while reading along helps your brain sync written words with spoken words, which can gradually train faster visual processing. Many tools now include this feature, including Dyslexly, which offers word-by-word highlighting as text plays aloud.
6. Consider Your Overall Reading Environment
Where and how you read matters. Poor lighting strains your eyes and slows comprehension. Loud or distracting environments force your brain to work harder, leaving less capacity for processing text quickly.
Optimise your space: read in natural light or soft, consistent artificial lighting. Minimise distractions. Sit comfortably with good posture so you're not fighting discomfort while reading.
These seem minor, but small environmental improvements often yield surprising speed gains.
Conclusion
Reading faster with dyslexia isn't about forcing yourself to process words you can't see clearly. It's about removing obstacles, working with your brain's actual strengths, and building sustainable reading habits. Use a pointer, adjust your visual environment, choose accessible material, and give yourself permission to read in short bursts. Most importantly, remember that reading speed isn't the only measure of reading success. Comprehension and enjoyment matter just as much, and often more. With consistent practise and the right tools, you'll find your own sustainable reading pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dyslexic readers ever read as fast as non-dyslexic people? Some dyslexic readers eventually match or exceed average reading speeds, while others find a naturally slower but still functional pace works best for them. The goal isn't always to match someone else's speed; it's to read as efficiently as possible for you.
Does using text-to-speech slow down my reading improvement? No. Text-to-speech is a tool, not a crutch. Using it while reading along can actually train your eyes and brain to process written words faster by giving them auditory reinforcement. Many dyslexic readers benefit from combining multiple approaches.
How long before I notice reading speed improvement? With consistent daily practise using one or two strategies, many readers notice subtle improvements within two weeks and significant changes within a month. Everyone progresses differently, so patience is important.
Is speed reading training safe for dyslexic readers? Standard speed reading courses aren't typically recommended for dyslexia, as they rely on skimming techniques that remove the supports dyslexic brains need. Instead, work on sustainable speed improvements through the strategies above.
What if I try these strategies and still read slowly? That's completely normal and acceptable. Focus on comprehension and reducing fatigue rather than raw speed. A slower reading pace that you understand deeply is better than fast reading with poor retention.