Brief Informal Screener:

Reading, Writing & Visual Comfort

Below is a simple checklist to help identify possible challenges with reading, writing, or visual comfort.

Reading Difficulties (Signs or Symptoms)

  1. Words move, swirl, or blur on the page

  2. Letters or words change size, shape, or seem to disappear

  3. Patterns or shapes appear in the text

  4. Difficulty tracking from one line to the next

  5. Loses place while reading

  6. Needs to re-read to understand

  7. Reads slowly despite strong effort

Visual Discomfort

  1. Bright lights cause discomfort

  2. Sensitive to glare from paper, boards, or screens

  3. Reads better in dim lighting or with colored paper

  4. Words appear to jump, wiggle, flicker, break apart, or fade

  5. Difficulty focusing on text for long periods

Writing Tasks

  1. Uneven handwriting or poor spacing

  2. Avoids writing tasks

  3. Trouble copying from the board

  4. Difficulty organizing math problems on a page

  5. Appears clumsy or has poor depth perception

Physical Symptoms

  1. Headaches after reading

  2. Fatigue or tires quickly

  3. Nausea or dizziness before, during, or after reading

  4. Squints, rubs eyes, or closes one eye when reading

  5. Hand cramps or shaking when writing

Who to Ask for Additional Assistance

  • School Nurse / Pediatrician / Physician → for physical concerns, including eyesight

  • Learning Specialist / Reading Specialist /          Speech-Language Pathologist / Academic Language Therapist / Psychologist → if literacy difficulties persist

  • Developmental Optometrist → to assess tracking, convergence, and other visual skills

  • Occupational Therapist → if handwriting or fine motor skills are impacted

  • Irlen Screener or Specialist → to explore overlays, filters, or tinted lenses

  • Counselor or Psychiatrist → if reading or writing challenges overlap with mental health concerns

What You Can Try Right Away

  • Listen to and validate the individual’s experience

  • Try colored overlays or paper (light blue, cream, or pastels)

  • Adjust screen brightness or use dark mode/filter apps

  • Provide regular breaks during reading

  • Increase font size and spacing; avoid glossy paper

  • Use a ruler or reading window to help track text

Important Notes

  • Some individuals with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia also experience visual stress—but not all do

  • If simple supports (overlays, spacing, breaks, font changes) don’t help, seek a specialist evaluation

  • Visual and physical symptoms are only part of the picture—literacy, phonics, and language skills must also be assessed

  • Each individual’s experience is different, and symptom severity can vary

Disclaimer

This is an informal screener to spot possible challenges with reading, writing, or visual comfort. It is not a diagnostic or formal test but merely questions to consider.

© 2025 Dr. Robin R. Norris, LPC, LMFT