Factors That Can Inhibit Reading Comprehension

Several factors that inhibit reading comprehension plague children and adults everywhere. Some of these factors include learning disabilities, reading disabilities, surface level reading and other distractions.

Learning and reading disabilities

Even the best student can have a low reading comprehension. In fact, many A-level students are required to take remedial reading classes or no-credit classes in a community college. Learning disabilities, or general emotional or psychological issues that can directly affect learning, negatively impact the learning process as a whole, especially reading. For example, autism can substantially affect reading comprehension. Disabilities like Dyslexia, for example, make it extremely difficult for comprehension due to the very nature of the disability. Many readers who suffer from these types of disabilities are able to overcome them with outside help and a lot of encouragement.

Surface level reading

Surface level reading is reading by skimming instead of actually allowing the words to enter the mind at a level suitable for comprehension. Many people read this way unknowingly. Often, simply pointing this out as a habit is all it takes to improve reading comprehension.

Other distractions

Unlimited distractions can lead to low reading comprehension. Within a classroom, everything from other students talking to the sound of crumpling paper can distract even the most focused reader. In any type of situation, readers have to try to focus their attention on the actual words they are reading.

Several factors can inhibit reading comprehension. If the reader can learn to focus intentionally, the possibility for optimal comprehension is at its highest. While certain disabilities can prevent or distract from full comprehension, it is still possible to attain an exceptional reading ability.