Students with Learning Disabilities and/or ADD/ADHD

usually prefer colors other than black and white when

completing work or reading.

Did YOU know?

• The use of BLACK and WHITE may lower IQ and/or make students more reluctant to work?

• Red or orange may increase IQ by 12 points?• 80% of children with dyslexia show increased

reading comprehension when using color overlays to read?

How do YOU see?

Which color helps you?

Students with emotional issues love…Dark colored backgrounds.

Dark colored backgrounds.

Dark colored backgrounds.

Dark colored backgrounds.

Students with visual impairments…

• Usually choose a combination of YELLOW and BLACK.

• Usually choose a combination of YELLOW and BLACK.

Students with dyslexia need…

Black text on a blue or green background.

Black text on a blue or green background.

Students with Down’s Syndrome…

Prefer high contrast colors.

Prefer high contrast colors.

Students with ADD…

• Vibrant colors help with attention “drift”

• Vibrant colors help with attention “drift”

Students with autism prefer…

Calm or monochromatic color schemes.

Calm or monochromatic color schemes.

Calm or monochromatic color schemes.

Calm or monochromatic color schemes.

Students with combinations…

• May need multiple colors• Should be allowed to choose colors for

different tasks.• Should be allowed to choose colors for

different lighting situations.

How to test students for color use…

• Use a computer and Microsoft Word• Allow the student to choose the background

color and text color.• Have them type something and read it back.• You type something and have them read it

back.

Then what?

• Use clear color overlays (found at Walmart) to put over the reading material.

• Use the computer and Book Share to read (colors can be changed in online books)

• Use colored paper to present work to the students.

Contact your Assistive Technology Team for help.