Dyslexia Reading Modes Deep Dive
Bionic Reading, Syllable Highlighting, and Grammar Colour-Coding explained with examples.
Overview
Dyslexia Mode transforms how text appears on screen to make reading easier. Choose from three specialised modes, each designed to address different reading challenges.
Who benefits most: Readers with dyslexia, visual processing difficulties, or anyone who finds dense text challenging to decode.
The Three Modes
Bionic Reading
How it works: Bolds the first portion of each word, creating artificial fixation points that guide your eyes.
Example:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Why it helps:
- Eyes naturally lock onto bold letters
- Brain fills in the rest of the word
- Reduces saccadic eye movements
- Creates consistent reading rhythm
Best for:
- Speed reading
- Long-form content
- Users who skip or repeat words
- Those who lose their place easily
Syllable Highlighting
How it works: Colours alternating syllables differently, making word structure visible.
Example:
The quick brown fox jumps over
Why it helps:
- Reveals word structure visually
- Supports phonetic decoding
- Makes unfamiliar words less intimidating
- Builds phonemic awareness
Best for:
- Phonetic learners
- Learning to decode new vocabulary
- Building reading fluency
- Younger readers
Grammar Colour-Coding
How it works: Colours four kinds of word. Each also has its own underline style, so the difference does not rest on colour alone.
Colour scheme:
| Part of Speech | Colour | Underline |
|---|---|---|
| Nouns | Blue | Solid |
| Verbs | Green | Double |
| Adjectives | Purple | Dashed |
| Adverbs | Orange | Dotted |
A key on the page names each style in words. Other word types are left uncoloured.
Why it helps:
- Reveals sentence structure
- Aids grammatical understanding
- Supports language learners
- Makes patterns visible
Best for:
- Language learners
- Understanding sentence structure
- Grammar study
- Writing improvement
All Settings Explained
Dyslexia Mode has one setting: which of the three shapings is applied. They are three radio buttons under How text is shaped, so exactly one is active at a time.
| Option | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Syllable colours | Alternating colour backgrounds break each word into syllables | Yes |
| Grammar colours | Colours words by part of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives | |
| Bionic reading | Bolds the opening letters of each word to lead the eye |
There are no sub-settings for bold percentage, colour scheme, saturation or minimum word length. Pick a shaping, read a page with it, and if it does not suit you pick another.
Why Syllable colours is the default: the evidence behind bionic reading is weaker than its popularity suggests, so it is offered but is not what AssisT starts you on.
Step-by-Step Setup
Enabling Dyslexia Mode
- Click AssisT icon in toolbar
- Open the Reading group
- Toggle Dyslexia Mode ON
- Under How text is shaped, choose Syllable colours, Grammar colours or Bionic reading
Quick Toggle
Press Alt+Y to turn Dyslexia Mode on or off. It keeps the shaping you chose last.
Common Use Cases
Reading Textbooks
Try: Bionic reading. Long academic text benefits from consistent eye guidance.
Learning New Vocabulary
Try: Syllable colours, together with Dictionary lookup. Seeing syllable breaks helps you sound out and remember new words.
Grammar Homework
Try: Grammar colours. Visualising nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs helps with sentence structure.
General Reading Fatigue
Try: Bionic reading, or switch Dyslexia Mode off with Alt+Y for a rest.
Combining with Other Features
Dyslexia Mode + TTS
- TTS reads text while Dyslexia Mode helps you follow along
- Word highlighting from TTS combines with dyslexia formatting
- Dual sensory input (visual + auditory) reinforces comprehension
Dyslexia Mode + Reading Guide
- Horizontal ruler tracks the line
- Dyslexia formatting helps read each word
- Together they prevent losing your place horizontally and vertically
Dyslexia Mode + Text Customisation
- Use OpenDyslexic font with Bionic mode
- Increase line spacing with Syllable mode
- Adjust colours to complement Grammar colouring
Troubleshooting
Text Looks Too Busy
Solutions:
- Switch to Bionic reading, the simplest visual
- Turn Dyslexia Mode off with
Alt+Y - Try on shorter content first
Syllables Seem Wrong
Solutions:
- Syllable detection is algorithmic — won’t be perfect
- Works best on common English words
- Technical terms may not split correctly
- Focus on the reading benefit, not perfect accuracy
Grammar Colours Are Confusing
Solutions:
- Use the key on the page to see what each colour and underline means
- Switch to Syllable colours or Bionic reading
- Grammar detection has limitations with complex sentences
Mode Doesn’t Apply to Some Content
Solutions:
- PDFs and images can’t be transformed
- Some dynamic websites reload and reset formatting
- Some heavily styled sites may resist changes
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt+Y | Toggle Dyslexia Mode |
For Educators & Parents
Choosing the Right Mode
| Student Profile | Recommended Mode |
|---|---|
| Struggles with letter reversals | Bionic Reading |
| Difficulty sounding out words | Syllable Highlighting |
| Learning grammar concepts | Grammar Colour-Coding |
| General reading fatigue | Bionic Reading |
| Language learner | Grammar Colour-Coding |
Classroom Implementation
- Introduce one mode at a time — Don’t overwhelm with options
- Let students experiment — Preference varies significantly
- Use consistently — Benefits compound with regular use
- Combine with other supports — TTS, larger text, etc.
Assessment Accommodations
Dyslexia Mode can be used during:
- Online tests and quizzes
- Reading assignments
- Timed assessments
Settings don’t affect answer content — only visual presentation.
Not a Diagnostic Tool
Dyslexia Mode helps many readers, not just those with diagnosed dyslexia. Don’t use response to these tools as a diagnostic indicator.
Related Features
- Reading Help — Dyslexia Mode overview
- Text-to-Speech Deep Dive — Combine with TTS
- Text Customisation Deep Dive — Font and spacing options