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Do you know a child who dislikes reading? Have you ever wondered why? The Word Gobblers: A Handbook for Parents Working with Children Struggling to Read by Catherine Matthias offers a practical and compassionate guide for parents whose children struggle with reading, particularly those affected by Irlen Syndrome. It clearly explains common symptoms and signs in an easy-to-understand way, and it offers interactive activities with simple, easy-to-follow directions for children to complete independently or with their caregivers. Additionally, relatable real-life stories are included to provide meaningful context, helping readers see they’re not alone. It also walks readers through the screening process for Irlen Syndrome, from identifying related issues to testing whether colored overlays or changing paper color can provide relief. Most importantly, it emphasizes that this syndrome is not the child’s fault and empowers those who care for these children to seek help, promote understanding, and foster advocacy and hope for struggling readers.
The Word Gobblers stands out for its clarity, warmth, and practicality, all of which are due to Catherine Matthias’ approachable and thoughtful writing. She does a fantastic job of thoroughly explaining Irlen Syndrome as a visual processing issue that can cause symptoms like headaches, attention difficulties, and fragmented vision, all of which may interfere with a child’s ability to read. Her conversational style is supportive to kids, parents/caregivers, and even educators, without placing blame, and empowers readers with her ideas to help those struggling. For instance, something as simple as changing the color of the paper for those students may help dramatically improve comprehension. For educators, this book offers a fresh perspective and effective strategies they may never have encountered in their studies or readings. She arms parents and teachers with the knowledge that expands their understanding of why some children may be having a difficult time reading, and provides practical ways that can be implemented at home and in the classroom to help children learn to love reading again.
This book does a good job of encouraging all readers to rethink how we support struggling readers, offering hopeful and tangible ways forward so every child can find joy in books again. It’s a must-read for parents whose children may have Irlen Syndrome, and also a valuable resource for teachers working with diverse learners.
–Jennifer Senick, educator with 20 years’ experience & MA in educational psychology.