Ah, a debate as old as time itself – physical versus digital. For some readers, their preferred form of reading is a defining aspect of their identity. Others, however, are much more flexible, even enjoying switching between the two formats.
For readers with neurodiversities such as ADHD, a book’s format can be game-changing for their reading experience. Both offer unique benefits to ADHD readers, along with weaknesses that should be considered carefully with each reader. Below is a list of common pros and cons for both formats, so you can decide what format works best for you.
Paperbacks
For both casual and daily readers, paperbacks are the most popular book format. Even in the modern day, where technology is an integral part of our daily lives, paperbacks outperform eBooks by quite a large margin. But what benefits (and cons) do they offer for ADHD readers?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
· Being distraction-free · Can be annotated for active reading · Are tangible, which can help keep ADHD readers engaged · Can be quite inexpensive when bought second-hand | · Font size, spacing and other formatting choices can vary, and are not typically formatted with ADHD readers in mind · No customisation – if you have preferred fonts, this may be a deal-breaker · Are typically more expensive when bought new |
eBooks
In more recent years, eBooks have seen a large increase in sales, and have been highlighted throughout the community for their accessibility features. But what makes them so great for ADHD readers, and what may be some drawbacks?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| · Customisable fonts, spacing and size for easier reading · Available on multiple platforms (Phones, Tablets, E-Readers) · Typically come in built-in search bars, making immersive reading easier | · Cannot be bought second-hand, so typically need to be bought for retail price · Reading on a phone may offer too many distractions, so may only be beneficial if you are reading on an e-reader · Can be much more difficult to annotate, restricting active reading techniques |
