“I don’t understand, I don’t get it, I’m tired.” These are phrases often heard from children with dyslexia, a developmental disorder that affects their ability to read.

To reach a reading level similar to that of their non-dyslexic peers, these children need more time and more chances to practice reading. This means they can find themselves caught in a vicious circle: they struggle with reading, which causes them distress. As a result, they avoid reading and miss out on the benefits that a book can bring them.

Dyslexia can manifest in several ways. Sometimes it involves difficulty recognising familiar words that are already stored in the brain. This is known as surface dyslexia, and is typically characterised by a slower reading pace.

Other times, the most notable symptom is reading unfamiliar words more slowly or confusing them with others. This is known as phonological dyslexia. It affects the process of recognising each letter and linking it to the sound it represents, a process known as “decoding”. People with this type of dyslexia find it very difficult to expand their vocabulary through reading.

Dyslexia and reading comprehension

When we read a text, our brains set various mechanisms in........

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