Symbols can improve the reading comprehension of adults with learning disabilities

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that adding symbols to written text can improve its comprehensibility for adults with learning disabilities. METHODS: Nineteen adults with mild or borderline learning disabilities attempted to read four short passages of text, two of which had Widgit Rebus symbols added to them. Following each passage, they were asked questions to test their comprehension. A counterbalanced design was employed. RESULTS: Participants' comprehension scores were significantly higher for the symbolized passages than the non-symbolized ones. CONCLUSIONS: Adding symbols to written text can make comprehension easier for some adults with mild and borderline learning disabilities. Future research, exploring how to do this most effectively, would be worthwhile.