1/10/2024
Speed reading can indeed be a valuable skill for many individuals, including those with ADHD who may face challenges in traditional reading methods. Research suggests that speed reading techniques can improve reading efficiency and comprehension. While speed reading may not be a cure for ADHD-related reading difficulties, it can offer strategies to enhance overall reading abilities.
As for speed reading apps, they are designed to train and improve reading speed and comprehension, yet the research does not support that they have an impact on reading skills as of this date
What is Speed Reading?
Speed reading is defined as the rapid recognition and absorption of phrases or sentences on a page as a whole, rather than identifying individual words one at a time. It’s important to find a balance, as reading too slow or too fast can hinder comprehension. Speed reading is a skill that varies among individuals, and it’s not about expecting everyone to read at a specific words-per-minute (WPM). Developing this skill takes time and practice. I’ll share some basic strategies that may be useful for your child to explore and incorporate into their reading habits.
Image from: https://www.myharvardclassics.com/articles/20131231
Speed reading isn’t a thing that you do on standardized tests. It is more of a study skill, a skill for research, so academics know there are times to switch to that mode and time to slow down on your reading. You would not want to speed read through an article where you have no background knowledge of the topic beforehand.
You can take some of the typical steps of reading to get through information you already know, faster. For instance, some people say the words in their head or aloud when they read. This slows down the process.
Absolutely, speed reading is indeed a valuable study skill and can be particularly beneficial in academic settings and research. It’s essential to recognize that speed reading is not a one-size-fits-all approach and should be applied strategically based on the nature of the material being read.
Cutting out subvocalization, or the silent pronunciation of words, is one technique employed in speed reading to enhance reading speed. It involves minimizing the habit of internally vocalizing each word, allowing for quicker information processing.
Rather than discuss the research in depth, I will post links at the bottom for you to access this on your own. I like to give perspectives from both angles. There is not an exact wrong. There is just what you can learn, and take from this, and help your child be a better student.
Strategies
- Have a goal for reading each text. Kids do not do this, and even adolescents do not. When you ask, what is your goal from reading this, they answer, “I have to do it for homework”. That is not a goal. Helping your kid figure out how to set goals for reading is the first step. Keep in mind if the kid is not motivated or interested in this topic, then the motivating factor will determine if they are able to use the strategies below.
Image from: https://briantomasik.com/reading-speed/
- Adjust your speed. If you notice that you just read through that and you didn’t understand or you don’t remember anything, adjust your strategy. Maybe you didn’t set goals? Maybe you didn’t pay attention to keywords? The reason you didn’t get it is because you didn’t use the right strategy.
- Pay attention to keywords.
- Look at key ideas and people. Focus on headings and the first few sentences the closest to make sure this is what I need to spend my time reading. In college, you will go through dozens of research articles for one paper in a class. How do you know if that one is useful? Speed read it first.
- In the end, can you summarize what you read? Did you meet your goals? If you did not, you chose the wrong strategy.
A side note here: I still choose the wrong strategy after doing this for 30 years. That does not mean you can’t read. Speed reading is still something to consider building on. Most children can benefit from some form of speed reading.
Research to Consider:
Carver, R. P. (1992). Reading Rate: Theory, Research, and Practical Implications. Journal of Reading, 36(2), 84–95. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40016440
Carver, R. P. (1983). Is Reading Rate Constant or Flexible? Reading Research Quarterly, 18(2), 190–215. https://doi.org/10.2307/747517
Jensen, P. E. (1978). Theories of Reading Speed and Comprehension. Journal of Reading, 21(7), 593–600. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40033153
Leary, B. E. (1946). Speed Reading. The Clearing House, 20(9), 533–533. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30178466