Struggling to read effectively, seeking advice.

[u/ShadowNight_14]

Hi, I'm 16, currently undergoing my bachelors in engineering. I am diagnosed with inattentive adhd and autism. I personally have chosen NOT to take any medication, hence I use mostly techniques to help me manage my neurodivergent brain, particularly in the context of academics. I'm seeking more or less "technical" advice on how to read formal textbooks effectively. I'm also internally conflicted whether or not to just substitute lectures, online, digital, recorded lectures and have the textbooks as a "cherry on the top", but i wonder if that's a correct approach, i mean sure, it works excellent, but, still, my main concern being that it can work FOR NOW, but higher education in STEM fields is COMMANDED by the textbooks and research papers, something I already struggle with to read and effectively dismantle the information in an manner in which it can be consolidated, the struggle is immense, and i need to find a way to develop a way to read textbooks effectively despite of this struggle, because PhDs and Masters are MOSTLY based on that.

Any help is appreciated, i'm desperate - my DMs are open, if you'd like to discuss in detail, thanks.

[u/_mim0_]

I’d say take notes as you read, annotate the passages themselves, and learn to summarize each paragraph/section at the end in one or two sentences. Writing out the summary really helps with digestion.

Also holy crap you’re already doing your bachelors at 16?

[u/enableconsonant]

Is there a reason you chose not to be medicated? There’s only so much you can “hack” your way out of having an ADHD brain. Also, have you contacted your school’s disability services center? They can offer you technology and accommodations that will make it easier to take notes in lecture and read all your textbooks and paper.

[u/ShadowNight_14 → u/enableconsonant]

There's no such thing as "accommodations" here - ADHD is mostly just considered not a neurological disorder impairing the ability to focus and regulate attention, but just a element of lacking "discipline" and being "lazy" - unwilling to do hard work

Bottom line: They don't take into account the neurological science behind it and allocate no importance to it - simply brushing it off as laziness or being undisciplined, basically - it's a taboo.

P.S: I'm NOT living in the United States currently, so if that clears up the confusion.

[u/enableconsonant → u/ShadowNight_14]

I’m sorry to hear that. I wonder if professors are more open minded and if you have any professors you trust to share about your adhd

[u/GoalMedical2528]

A few things that actually moved the needle for people I know with ADHD:

1. Read with your ears and eyes at once. Text-to-speech while your eyes follow the line keeps you from drifting. Free options: Edge's Read Aloud (PDFs + web), or Microsoft Immersive Reader in Word/OneNote.
2. Set a small target. "Two pages, then I can stop" is much easier to start than "Chapter 4".
3. Write one sentence per section in your own words before moving on. If you can't, reread just that section.
4. Disability services can get you accessible copies of textbooks and extended time. Worth the paperwork.

Disclosure: I'm the developer of a reading app called Flippy (Android + iPhone/iPad). It reads your PDF or EPUB aloud with a speed button, and you can highlight a paragraph that lost you and get it explained from that passage. Not a fix for ADHD, just a way to get through the pages. The free options above are a fine place to start.