For many families, summer reading is a cherished tradition—lazy afternoons with a good book, library visits, and the thrill of completing a reading challenge. But for students with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, or language processing disorders, summer reading can feel more like a chore than a joy.
The good news? With the right strategies and mindset, summer reading can become not only accessible but genuinely enjoyable for all students—regardless of how they learn best.
Here are some ways to make summer reading more inclusive for students with learning challenges.
1. Redefine What Counts as “Reading”
Not every child is going to thrive with traditional chapter books—and that’s okay. Expanding your definition of reading helps remove stigma and builds confidence. Consider including:
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Audiobooks: Listening to stories helps develop vocabulary and comprehension just as well as reading text on a page.
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Graphic novels and comics: Visual storytelling supports kids who struggle with decoding or attention.
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Hi-Lo books: These are high-interest, low-reading-level books designed to engage older kids with reading challenges.
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Magazines, how-to guides, or video game walkthroughs: If they’re reading and engaging with text, it counts!
2. Use Technology to Support Learning
Shrub Oak International School says that students with learning differences often benefit from assistive technology tools that reduce frustration and promote independence. Some helpful options include:
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Text-to-speech tools like NaturalReader or Voice Dream Reader
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Reading apps like Bookshare (free for eligible students), which offers customizable formats for readers with disabilities
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Audiobook platforms such as Audible, Learning Ally, or Libby (from your local library)
Letting kids choose the format that works best for them sends the message: It’s the story that matters—not how you access it.
3. Let Them Choose the Books
Ownership is powerful. When students feel forced to read books that don’t interest them or that feel too difficult, resistance is inevitable. Try:
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Visiting a library or bookstore together and letting them explore freely
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Offering a wide selection of genres and formats
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Focusing on their personal interests—even if it’s the same dog book 10 times in a row
Kids with learning challenges often face extra pressure around academics. Giving them control over their summer reading can help rebuild positive associations with books.
4. Make Reading a Social or Sensory Experience
Some kids—especially those with attention issues or anxiety—engage more when reading feels fun and interactive:
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Start a low-key family book club where everyone reads something and shares their thoughts at dinner.
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Read aloud together—taking turns builds fluency and allows for breaks.
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Pair reading with movement: Sit on a yoga ball, swing in a hammock, or take “brain breaks” after a few pages.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection and engagement.
5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
For kids with learning differences, confidence is often the biggest barrier to reading. Celebrate effort over outcomes:
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Use reading charts, stickers, or small rewards for reaching milestones (like reading 5 minutes a day for a week)
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Talk about what they liked about the book—not just whether they finished it
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Reinforce that every reader reads at their own pace, and that’s perfectly okay
Even a little reading progress over the summer can help prevent the dreaded “summer slide” and set kids up for a smoother school year.
Summer reading should be a source of joy and exploration—not stress or shame. By creating an inclusive, flexible reading environment at home, we can empower students with learning differences to grow as readers on their own terms.
Because when reading feels like a win—not a test—every child has a chance to fall in love with books.
