Reading with COLOR—What a Difference It Can Make!

Did you know that as many as 80% of U.S. students with learning disabilities (LD) have problems with reading.  A number of these children experience these reading problems because of dyslexia, convergence insufficiency, or other vision-related reading issues. Others are challenged with attention deficit disorder (ADHD), autism, low vision, stroke recovery or TBI issues, etc. Many times, these conditions will negatively impact reading success.

If you notice your child or your student struggling to read, there are a few strategies you can implement to help to improve reading success. Moreover, the strategies that follow here involve the use of COLOR, which can improve the connections made in the brain when one is attempting to read.  We hope you will consider using one or more of these tips!

COLOR Strategies for More Reading Success

1. Colored Paper:  When reading printed media such as worksheets, etc., consider copying the documents on colored paper instead of on traditional white copy paper.  A ream of several different colors is available at many office supply stores.  Each week, try a different color of paper until you discover the “optimum” color for your use. Select the color that provides the most visual comfort and focus. This will enable the reader to better attend to the text and more successfully comprehend the printed material.
   REASON: White page backgrounds can often cause “visual stress” for some readers.  As a result, they sometimes struggle with focusing which affects attention and comprehension.  These visually- stressed readers can also experience fatigue much sooner, and their retention of what is read is often significantly impacted.
2. Colored Overlays:  Place a colored yet transparent plastic sheet over a page of text to be read.  These can be purchased at some office or art supply stores.  Consider trying a variety of different colored sheets, one color at a time with a resting interval between each color trial.  There is a good possibility that one particular color may promote more focus and comfort for the reader than other colors. Try pastels as well as dark and brighter colors.  Introducing the best or “right” color can positively affect the appearance of printed text for a reader with symptoms of dyslexia or other reading challenge.  The reader may report that the letters stopped “moving out”, “waving out” or “shadowing” on the page. (Please see REASON above here.)

 COLOR Tools for More Reading Success

1. Reading Focus Cards: These sensory-appealing tools combine the features of the 2 options above AND also focus the eye in one directed area.  The Reading Focus Cards are able to isolate 1 or 2 lines of text on a page and block more surrounding text than any other tool available.  In addition, these tools allow readers to change white page backgrounds with a selected colored filter (included).
2. Reading Focus Cards App (for Mac & PC) Need more FOCUS and TRACKING support when you read digital media? The Reading Focus Cards app can provide infinitely-customizable assistance to enhance your reading experience on a laptop or desktop screen. No subscription renewals will ever be needed.  Purchase 1 secure download per device and use indefinitely for only $5.99 USD per download.

If you try the strategies described above here, and the reading problems persist, consider visiting a behavioral or developmental optometrist.  This medical professional can evaluate, diagnose and treat children and adults with vision-related reading challenges.  To locate this specialized optometrist, please visit the website for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (Please see Resources to follow here).  There you will find a “Locate a Doctor” tool in the upper right hand corner of each of the web pages on the site.  This will enable you to locate a developmental optometrist in your area.

Resources:

The Link Between Color and Reading Comprehension
http://www.k5chalkbox.com/color-and-reading-comprehension.html

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) Website—Information about vision-related reading challenges from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.  Site includes an online tool to “Locate a Doctor” in a specific geographical area.
https://covd.org/

COLOR Improves Your Reading Experience—This VIDEO illustrates how the use of color can help improve your reading experience. Increase focus, comprehension, retention and enjoyment of the content the next time you read a book or digital document—with color!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pkeT1gdjKQ