This is What Reading Feels Like if You Have Dyslexia

There's a misconception on what being dyslexic really feels like. It's not words jumping out of a book, it's actually a decoding problem.

In this clip from the podcast I did with Ali Abdaal a few months ago we talk about how it feels to have dyslexia and how Speechify helped me overcome it.

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Hi, I'm Cliff Weitzman.

I am dyslexic.

‍Reading a sentence takes me the same amount of energy and brain power as most people take when solving a four digit long division math equation in their head.

I taught myself how to code and built a software that would read books to me. It's called Speechify! I spent 4 years in college perfecting this system. Instead of slaving over a textbook while chained to my desk - I’d take 15 quick photos and then listen while eating breakfast or going to class.

Today, tens of millions of people have been able to function in school and society because of Speechify.

Remember, that above all else, your mission is to be who you needed most when you were growing up. At least, it’s mine.

Much love ❤️

- Cliff Weitzman

[GailBlity]

Clicked on this video as I thought the thumbnail was dumb and very unrepresentative of my own dyslexia experience.
But listening to what you had to say in the video ... <3!
Mindblown!
Especially the bit about being accused of being lazy. This has followed me through school and into the workplace

[JGProductions]

It’s like reading in dreams, but in real life.

[stevenmaloney]

Very well explained Cliff, Steve from Manchester 🇬🇧 👍 👍 👍 👍. I'm to have Dyslexia too so I know what you mean, It's difficult to live with around mainstream people who don't totally don't understand it 😒😒.
Thank you for sharing your Experiences & Time with us.

[darrenporter]

I explain it like reversing the black and white colours, then overlaying it. Like looking at a bright lightbulb, then turning it off, you still see the image over the top. Also when I concentrate on words, I see the page as a whole, even seeing the lines inbetween the words. Like mini flashing on the lines and letters. At school in the 80's, no help. We were told it was seeing letters outside down.. this is not how it looks. Kids at school were reading chapters whilst like the guy said, for me, a chapter was a struggle. The page also varies on colours, light. Also how tired possibility. Lots of factors.

[sarantuyakastelic]

I grew up in Mongolia, I struggled so much with reading and spelling, I always failed grade after grade. Everyone gives up on me. 6th grades. I was sitting on the balcony and told myself, obviously I am not normal like others, how much I try. So decided to hyper-focus I could, I memorize really well. I started memorizing all text book by heart, still can't spell. That how I pass my tests in school.

[hevinamber]

My words DID jump as a kid and thank God my mom never thought I was lazy. She did think I needed to focus and my dad thought I needed glasses though. I agree with a lot of the rest about spelling and expending a LOT of time and energy on decoding.

[jesuislechat__]

I'm planning on getting tested for ADHD and dyslexia. I take ages to read a sentence. The more difficult it is, the longer I take. I read my friend's thesis statement so slowly that she asked me halfway through if I was confused. When I told her where I was she was super confused. Apparently, it's not normal to take this long to read xD

[Miguel_A_S]

I just now learned what Dyslexia is and I have it. And didn't realize this is why I can't remember names a d forget it if I don't use it enough.

[AditiyaFasilkom]

Reading makes me hard to breath and my neck is itchy, no like its hurt. I cant live like this, i need read every second. But i cant focus

[Ash-hve]

...yep that is a very very accurate description of what dyslexia is like. Thank you it was a very good way to explain it.

[firozmahmud]

I didn't knew this all are not those problems that I made. I am keep blaming myself because everyone think I am careless

[amycarroll]

Is that why I actually fall asleep when I read sometimes ?

[godrilla]

My issie is seeing words that are not there or writing something, looking at it and later seeing it's something different like I think I wrote "i like that cat", but it comes out as "i the cat"

[janechapman]

For some of us with less sever dyslexia the words and letters do appear to flip and move around.

[June_AZS]

OMG I HAVENT FOUND A MORE ACCRUATE DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE DYSLEXIA?? Also I’m autistic and dyslexic so i wonder how my mini columns look like lmao 😭

[cedricburkhart]

I have dyslexia and that's in this side troubleto me. I'm a good reader as well.

[Not_a_you-tuber]

My dyslexia is not so bad but this happens a little to me

[josephb]

It takes me hours to read 1 chapter.. I can’t memorize or understand it unless I read it over and over… I envy you people who waste your natural potential…

[Britishpeoplest]

I cannot get the job I want because they keep asking me to read paragraphs an answer questions in a certain amount of time. You might as well ask me to climb Mount Everest😂😂😂😂

[oukitelmaxine]

Thank you for Speechify its super nice, maybe later gonna be possible more super functions.