Reading disabilities in an increasingly digital world

Technology touches nearly every part of a child's life - from homework and classroom tools to entertainment and communication. For children with reading disabilities or dyslexia, this digital shift brings both opportunities and challenges.

Screens have replaced textbooks. Online learning has become the norm. Parents often ask: "Is all this technology helping or hurting my child's reading progress?"

The answer depends on how digital tools are used and whether they complement or compete with evidence-based reading instruction.

The promise of technology

When used thoughtfully, digital tools can make learning more accessible for struggling readers:

• Text-to-speech and audiobooks help children access grade-level content even when decoding is difficult.

• Speech-to-text tools allow students to express ideas without being limited by spelling or writing difficulties.

• Interactive apps can reinforce phonics and decoding in playful ways, especially for early readers.

• Online dictionaries and visual aids help build vocabulary and comprehension.

These tools can boost independence, confidence, and motivation, especially when frustration has built up over time.

The challenge: digital overload and skimming culture

While technology can help, it also creates new obstacles:

• Digital reading encourages skimming, not deep comprehension. Scrolling and scanning teach kids to move quickly, the opposite of what struggling readers need most: slowing down to decode and process language.

• Screen fatigue reduces focus. Children with attention difficulties or dyslexia may tire quickly during digital learning sessions.

• Apps vary in quality. Not all "reading apps" are research-based. Some emphasize entertainment over skill development, giving parents a false sense of progress.

• Typing vs. handwriting. Research shows handwriting activates brain pathways critical for reading and spelling, pathways underused in digital-only environments.

Technology can support reading growth, but it can't replace the direct, structured, human instruction that children with reading disabilities truly need.

What evidence-based intervention looks like (even online)

At Ravinia Reading Center, we use evidence-based methods that adapt to both in-person and virtual settings. Our speech-language pathologists use strategies grounded in the Science of Reading, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, regardless of the learning format.

During online sessions, we:

• Maintain direct interaction and individualized attention

• Use visual and auditory supports for each lesson

• Track progress in real time

• Keep sessions short and engaging to prevent digital fatigue

Technology becomes the delivery method, not the teaching method.

Helping your child thrive in a digital age

As a parent, you can help your child find balance:

• Limit screen time before reading. A rested brain absorbs language better.

• Encourage print reading at home. Physical books help with focus and comprehension.

• Choose quality digital tools. Look for apps that align with structured literacy principles or are guided by professionals.

• Stay involved. Even the best technology can't replace your encouragement, attention, and advocacy.

Reading disabilities haven't changed, but the world around our children has. In today's digital environment, struggling readers need both the benefits of technology and the structure of evidence-based instruction to succeed.

At Ravinia Reading Center, we bridge that gap, combining modern tools with research-backed methods to ensure every child gets the support they deserve, no matter the format.

If you're worried your child's reading struggles are getting lost in a digital classroom, we can help. Book time with us to learn how a personalized, evidence-based reading intervention, online or in person, can help your child thrive in today's world.