Need Reading Tips [Archive] - ADHD Forums - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support and Information Resources Community

kwalk

03-26-08, 12:27 AM

I have the problem like a lot of people on here do, where i'm suuuuuuuch a slow reader. It's because I have to read lines over and over again for them to comprehend or translate to my head eventually.

I want to be able to read more, but it's so time consuming and annoying with the attention thing. Any ideas?

I was thinking of getting a highlighter and highlighting the key words...hmmm

orbit1

03-26-08, 09:13 AM

speed reading for fun reading. I dont know why it works but it does. For study im in the same boat, rereading over and over.. I rotate subjects so things seem fresh, but it takes time.

KirkT

03-26-08, 09:45 AM

I agree with orbit1; for pleasure reading, skimming works okay but don't skim with the important stuff as it's been shown you will miss the point. Actual speed reading requires training and is shown to be just as effective (for technical things) as skimming.

Mary

03-26-08, 10:27 AM

I think I've posted it somewhere on this forum before. Read out loud...even if it's just a whisper.

Or.. if you listen to music on an ipod or mp3 player (instrument only, works best)...it helps filter other noises and gives you a better grip of what you're reading to begin with.

Sometimes, I wrote down the chapter I was being tested on ..while reading it outloud as well.

I also did a speed reading class.

Used this all the way through school when I was studying for tests. It helped me absorb better what I needed to remember. Did pretty well on the tests.

Bluerose

03-26-08, 12:40 PM

I love reading, so much so that when I felt like crap I would lose myself in a book. It is difficult to stay focussed when I'm on meds another reason I don't take them. I found in the beginning that planning to read just one page helped, it took the pressure off to stay focussed for a long period of time and gave me a change to compute what I had just read. I increased it gradually to a few pages and then a chapter and then a couple of chapters. I'm not saying that would work for everyone but relaxing into it rather than struggling with it will.

Mary

03-26-08, 01:24 PM

Beth would never read, until we put her on meds. However,...she got so used to reading after that, that she can now pick up a book and read it all the way through..hyperfocusing on the book as she would the computer.

p.s. She is no longer on meds.

kwalk

03-31-08, 03:48 AM

I think I need to get some reading lessons... I can't really skim read. I have to read every single word for myself to understand it.

kwalk

03-31-08, 03:55 AM

I also usually get lost and lose my place pretty frequently when reading. When I was a kid it was very hard for me to read a line of a page and then move on to the next line with my eyes, because I would end up reading the same line over again or I would read another line of words that wasn't in order. so my teacher made me use a paper to guide myself to each next line.

Bluerose

03-31-08, 04:32 AM

Just relaxing with a book can be helpful. No matter how long it takes you to read a page, just relax with the book. Sometime the anxiety that we are not as good at something as we think we should be holds us back and spoils the experience.

Mary

03-31-08, 08:47 AM

One thing I forgot to add in my previous post. If you wear glasses and don't have tinted lenses, switch to tinted lenses..gray works best. If you don't wear glasses, use plastic overlays. It helps bring the words to the forefront. Making it less confusing.

Look up Irlen Syndrome and dyslexia. If you can't find info for Irlen Syndrome ask me and I will do the search. *some* people who have trouble absorbing what they read may not be seeing it properly. The method of using tinted lenses or the overlays helps with focus.

We used this for our oldest who's ADHD with LD's .. and our twins who are also LD. Their reading improved immensely.

Hope this helps!

Mary

03-31-08, 09:52 AM

Ok... I was unable to use the edit feature... but I did find this at wikipedia

Re: Irlen's Syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotopic_sensitivity_syndrome

and here:

http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/irlen.htm

kwalk

03-31-08, 12:09 PM

OMG i THINK YOU JUST SAVED MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

<DL><DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you skip words or lines while reading? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you lose your place or reread lines? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Does reading make you tired? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you need to take frequent breaks while reading? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you find yourself blinking or squinting when you read? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do your eyes hurt, or get watery or dry when reading? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you prefer to read in dim light? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you find you head moves closer to the page as you read? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you use your finger or a marker to help you read? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Does reading get harder the longer you do it? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you get restless or fidgety when reading? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Are you easily distracted when you read? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you find it hard to remember what you have just read? <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Do you try to avoid reading? </DD></DL>
Other signs of Irlen Syndrome include:

<DL><DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif Words appear blurry, or appear to shift on the page <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif You are bothered by bright, glossy paper when reading <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif You develop a headache or nausea during or after reading <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif You have trouble copying from the board or produce unequal spacing when writing <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gif You have problems with depth perception, e.g. catching balls, determining distances when driving <DD>http://www.readingandwriting.ab.ca/judypool/bldot.gifYou have difficulty with headlights and streetlights at night. </DD></DL>
HEADLIGHTS HAVE BOTHERED ME FOR SUCH A LONG TIMEq!!! I felt like I would get so sick when I was driving. I also have problems with things in the distance when driving, I got glasses for that but I have such a minor problem with distance in my prescription that I don't think think that really is the problem. I also get really tired driving for a long time, I always knew it had something to do with my eyes

SuzzanneX

03-31-08, 04:04 PM

I use a bookmark and put it under each sentence as I read.

ZappedMind

03-31-08, 04:40 PM

I have a solution!! It works too!!

I'm 33 and struggled with reading all my life. I hate reading books, but love reading "short articles" just fine. I am a really slow reader, and I have that annoying "watery text" issue where black text on white paper just doesn't seem to do well for me... and I read so slow, my mind gets bored and have start thinking of other stuff while I read and well... YOU ALL KNOW THE DRILL!

BUT... recently I ran across AceReader! (http://www.acereader.com/). I tell you what, they say the average person reads/comprehends 230-250 words per minute. I took the AceReader test the first time and I was only doing 150.

So... I started going through their drills and for those with ADHD, it's really kinda fun and keeps your attention. Within an hour or two, I was reading/comphrending at 450 WPM... I couldn't believe it. Everytime I was picking up anything to read, my eyes just flew through text.

I haven't done any "training" in a few weeks and have reverted to my usual ways, but when I have time I will start the program again. It keeps track of where you are and your scores and all sorts of things... it really is awesome, it works on Mac and Windows.

I have only spent 3-4 hours with it to date, so I can't give you any long-term effect but it really works and in fact, I did start read text I have avoided my entire life because of this (ie, the Bible) and it makes reading fun.

But, be warned, it's kind of addicting and it's really weird to read so fast. In fact, you will be reading so fast that you won't think you could possibly comprehend anything, yet you do. I kind of forgot about the software until I saw this post, so that reminds me, I should go take some more practice drills!!

:D

Mary

04-01-08, 05:24 PM