Simple Strategies for leisure reading



Adaptive Reading Strategies 


I recently came down with the flu. After a few days of sleep, social media and TV I was frustrated and bored.  I used to love to read. To hold a book in my hands and escape into another world. Having some time on my hands, I was able to come up with several strategies to get back into this hobby and conserve my spoons. I have put together some ideas to help it easier to maintain strength and focus when reading.



Visual Fatigue: 

Visual fatigue and drooping eyelids are two main symptoms of ocular Myasthenia Gravis.


  • A highlighted reading strip helps you to remain focused and assist your eyes to track the sentences. You can make one by cutting a coloured transparency sheet into strips and taping masking tape along the borders. Alternatively, you can purchase one online.
  • Magnifying glass to enlarge text decreases the strain on your eyes.
  • Double vision can be combated by using an eye patch to cover one eye.


Muscle fatigue: 

There are 17 muscles in the palm of your hand and 18 in your forearm which controls the movement of your wrist and fingers.  They are prone like any other to muscle fatigue. Simple adaptations can help assist with muscle fatigue.


  • A simple elastic band to hold each side of your book open which you can then place on your lap or on an angled support board or book holder.


  • If you have enough strength to hold a book a 'thumb thing' can assist in only using one hand to keep the book open. You can then switch between hands.
  • Page turner can also be useful if you have difficulty with the fine motor movements required to turn pages.






Electronic devices: Kindle and Audiobooks

I enjoy the sensation of holding a book in my hands, but I have to admit that technology is the way of the future.

  • With a Kindle, you are able to adjust the brightness of the display and the size of the writing. It also has a word tracker and definition extension that can simplify your reading experience. 
  • Audiobook versions allow you to escape into your chosen fantasy land by just sitting back and listening.




I have created a Pinterest board with other great assistive device ideas: Click Here

Happy reading!



Comments

  1. Great post! I love the auditory/audiovisual format! This is why I watch so many Youtube videos to learn and find out information through. It's not as taxing as reading text.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the book page device. I am looking for one now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I had never heard of those first two tools you showed! Thanks so much for this. I find it difficult to read more than short articles online and used to be an avid reader. I need to put these on my wishlist!

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