A Tool That Benefits Both Dyslexic and Non-Dyslexic Children

October 07, 2021

A new study has found that a child’s reading speed can be improved by simply increasing the space between letters within a piece of text.

The research, led by Dr Steven Stagg of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), examined the benefits of letter spacing and colored overlays amongst a group of dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. It is the first study to investigate how these adaptations can help to reduce specific reading errors.

Published in the journal Research in Developmental Disabilities, the study discovered that text with increased space between each letter provided a benefit to both groups of children. On average, the dyslexia group showed a 13% increase in reading speed, while the comparison group of non-dyslexic children showed a 5% increase in reading speed.

The study involved 59 children aged between 11-15, 32 of whom had a statement of dyslexia, with 27 non-dyslexic children forming a control group. The participants were recruited from six schools in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and London.

Participants read four texts with either standard or extra-large letter spacing, both with and without a colored overlay. The children were instructed to read the text out loud while being recorded. The recording was used to measure the number of errors they made – specifically missed words, added words, wrong words, and pronunciation – as well as the participants’ reading time.

In addition to improved reading speed for both children with dyslexia and the non-dyslexic group, the larger letter spacing also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of words being missed by the children with dyslexia. However, the study found that coloured overlays had no significant impact on reading speed or the reduction of errors for either group of children.

Dr Stagg, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

“We found that extra-large letter spacing increases the reading speed of children both with and without dyslexia, and significantly reduces the number of words that dyslexic children skip when reading. We believe that extra-large letter spacing works by reducing what is known as the ‘crowding effect’, which can hamper the recognition of letters and reduce reading speed.

“When viewed in the context of previous research, our findings strongly suggest that teaching professionals can be confident that all children would be helped by increased letter spacing in reading materials. As well as being a relatively simple change to make when producing handouts and worksheets, it means that children with dyslexia need not feel singled out by the introduction of specially adapted reading materials, as this is something that everyone can benefit from."

StepUp Note

The neural network of verbal communication includes seeing, hearing and saying letter names; seeing, saying and writing letters; fluent decoding of letters and words; and fluent comprehension of word groups as meaningful thoughts or ideas. Anything which can boost a child's speed of letter recognition strengthens the neural network that supports the academic skill of reading comprehension. In my office I have found that increasing the choice of the size of the font may increase the speed of both decoding and comprehension for all readers who struggle with fluency, with any level of text. The NeuroNet software programs include exercises that strengthen the fluency of letter identification for single letters, for letter sets, and for words. Try it free for 30 days!

Note by Nancy W Rowe, M.S., CCC/A

Reposted from Anglia Ruskin University