Autism can affect reading and writing in different ways, and no two people experience this in the same way. Some autistic people find reading comprehension harder, especially when text relies on implied meaning, emotional cues, or social context. Figurative language, idioms, and abstract ideas can also be difficult when language is taken literally.
In writing, organizing ideas into clear structure, judging audience expectations, or shifting tone for different situations can take extra effort. Sensory sensitivities may make long periods of reading or writing uncomfortable, and differences in motor planning can affect handwriting or typing. At the same time, many autistic people show real strengths in reading and writing, including strong vocabulary, precise use of language, close attention to detail, and deep knowledge in areas of interest.
Technology such as Read&Write helps by reducing processing effort through text-to-speech, offering structured support for writing, and creating predictable, consistent experiences. The focus is not on fixing difficulties, but on recognising different ways of processing language and providing tools that support those differences while building on individual strengths.