Slow or effortful decoding
Reading may require active attention that other readers can use for comprehension or note-taking.
What’s Your AF?
Dyslexic AF
Dyslexia can change the speed, effort, accuracy, and reliability of reading, spelling, written expression, sequencing, or text-based memory. Access improves when information is allowed to arrive and leave in more than one format.
Reading access, writing workflow, processing, communication
Reading effort and understanding are not the same measurement
A lot of dyslexic people understand complex ideas while spending far more energy decoding, spelling, locating details, or turning thoughts into written form. Text-heavy systems often measure speed and transcription load when they claim to measure knowledge.
Recognition without flattening
How this can show up
The useful question is not “Do I match every trait?” It is “Which patterns are changing access, effort, comfort, or participation for me?”
Spelling variability
A familiar word may be available verbally and still be difficult to retrieve or spell consistently.
Written-expression bottleneck
Ideas may be rich and clear while typing, handwriting, sequencing, and editing create a narrow output channel.
Text navigation
Dense pages, long paragraphs, inconsistent headings, and visually similar items can make locating information expensive.
Working-memory load
Holding the beginning of a sentence, instruction, or sequence while decoding the rest may be difficult.
Strength through other formats
Oral explanation, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, visual thinking, and big-picture understanding may provide stronger routes.
Support function first
Things worth testing
Try these in your own life one at a time. Keep what reduces effort, improves access, or protects capacity. Change or drop what does not.
- Provide text-to-speech, audio, or human read-aloud access where useful.
- Allow speech-to-text, dictation, word prediction, spelling support, and staged editing.
- Use real headings, short paragraphs, strong contrast, and adjustable spacing rather than relying on a “dyslexia font.”
- Separate content knowledge from reading speed and spelling accuracy where those are not the target skill.
- Give instructions in more than one format and keep the original available for review.
- Build a writing workflow that captures ideas first and edits later.
Research & Evidence
Read the source research
Every study cited here also has a full NDAF Research & Evidence page in the Free Resources library. Open the NDAF summary first, then use the source links there to review the original paper.
Meta-analysisText-to-speech
Text-to-speech and reading comprehension
Wood et al., 2018
The meta-analysis found a small-to-moderate positive average effect on comprehension for students with reading difficulties, with meaningful variation between studies. Tools still need individual testing and training.
Open NDAF research summarySystematic reviewAdult work participation
Work participation of adults with developmental dyslexia
de Beer et al., 2014
This systematic review identified reading and writing demands, emotions, workplace attitudes, accommodations, assistive technology, and working conditions as important influences on participation.
Open NDAF research summaryQualitative follow-upLong-term technology use
Dyslexic students using assistive technology
Svensson et al., 2023
A five-year follow-up found that continued access depends on training, organizational support, strategy development, and the emotional experience of using the tools, not merely owning them.
Open NDAF research summaryBuild around the actual life
How ongoing coaching might look for Dyslexic AF
The coaching track follows the part of life you want to work on. The AF page helps us understand which parameters may need to be built into the system.
Education Coaching
Book a free consultBuild reading, note-taking, writing, and assignment systems that allow information to move through multiple formats.
Explore this coaching track →Workplace CoachingUse templates, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, proofing systems, and clearer written workflows.
Explore this coaching track →Career CoachingCreate accessible resumes, cover letters, applications, and interview preparation without unnecessary text friction.
Explore this coaching track →Life CoachingMake forms, instructions, records, household documents, and reading-heavy administration easier to access and complete.
Explore this coaching track →Rebuild One Text-Heavy Workflow
Use one focused session to redesign a recurring process such as reading course material, writing reports, handling email, taking notes, or completing forms.
- Identify where decoding or transcription consumes capacity
- Add audio, dictation, or visual structure
- Separate drafting from correction
- Create an accessible repeatable template
Research, tools, and useful information
Free resources for Dyslexic AF
Start with one of the curated examples, or browse by the kind of information you need.
Brain Dump Sheet
Capture ideas without requiring polished spelling, order, or complete sentences first.
Open this resource →Asking for More Time Scripts
Direct wording for clarification, extra time, and accessible formats.
Open this resource →International Dyslexia Association
Evidence-informed information, standards, and dyslexia resources.
Open this resource →Products selected by what they do
Shop recommendations for Dyslexic AF
These recommendations are selected by the friction they may reduce and the support they may provide.
FEATURED PRODUCT
Audio & Read-Aloud
Headphones, scanning tools, stands, and accessories that support listening while reading.
Explore this recommendation →FEATURED PRODUCTWrite Without the Bottleneck
Microphones, keyboards, smart pens, dictation accessories, and comfortable input tools.
Explore this recommendation →FEATURED PRODUCTClear Page Setup
Reading rulers, document stands, lighting, paper choices, and line-tracking supports.
Explore this recommendation →SHOP CATEGORYVisual Organization
Color coding, tabs, folders, boards, and layouts that reduce text searching.
Explore this recommendation →SHOP CATEGORYTemplates & Workbooks
Structured pages with strong hierarchy, usable spacing, and no unnecessary text walls.
Explore this recommendation →SHOP CATEGORYPortable Study Kits
Compact tools that keep the preferred reading and writing setup available away from home.
Explore this recommendation →Brains overlap
Who says you can only have one!
Explore other AFs.
Start with one current friction point
Bring one real example to a free consultation. We’ll look at the parameters, identify the friction, and decide what kind of support may fit.