My son can't read in his head.

[keepcalmandgowithit]

My son is 9 and still can't read in his head. He says that he has no inner voice and doesn't think in words. His reading level is normal to above average for his age. Is it possible that he will never be able to read in his head? I don't know if how he thinks has anything to do with it. I have been researching this and only 26% of people have an inner voice, but everyone I ask says they have one. It's not a big problem accept he gets told off for whispering to himself. He also says everything he thinks and talks constantly . He has normal development though, and he understands social interaction. Does anyone else have experience of this?

Im no expert but a couple of things crossed my mind

1. Does he understand the words/sentances he is reading. Although he might have a average/above average reading in terms of fluency he might not be understanding the words and sounding them out is just decoding rather than understanding.

1. Dyslexia? Or another word based learning difference that I haven’t heard of? Possibly worth asking the school SEND officer? Even if it’s nothing like this they may be able to have a word with teachers to let him whisper the words if he needs to and may be able to provide guidance on reading.

1. It might just take time and he will figure it out himself eventually.

My DS when he was around the same age had a similar problem but had already been diagnosed with a learning difference.

Sorry I can’t help more.