How to Use the Speed Reading Feature in Helperbird with Syllables

Learn how to use Helperbird's use speed reading in helperbird. Complete guide for improving web accessibility and reading support.

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What is Speed Reading?

Speed Reading displays one word at a time in the center of your screen. This technique helps you read faster because your eyes do not have to move across the page.

You can adjust how many words appear per minute and add helpful features like syllable breakdown for difficult words.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People who want to read faster
  • Anyone who gets distracted by other text on the page
  • Students who need to get through reading material quickly
  • People with attention difficulties who benefit from focused presentation
  • Anyone who wants to try rapid serial visual presentation

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Speed Reading

Look through the list of features until you see Speed Reading.

It has a speedometer icon next to it.

Click on Speed Reading to open it.


Step 4: Select Text and Start

First, highlight the text you want to speed read on the webpage. Click and drag your mouse to select a passage.

A Speed Reading panel will appear showing one word at a time in large text.


Step 5: Control Playback

Use the controls in the Speed Reading panel:

  • Play button – Start displaying words
  • Pause button – Stop the display
  • Left arrow – Go back one word
  • Right arrow – Go forward one word

Previous and upcoming words appear in smaller boxes below the main word so you have context.


Step 6: Customize Settings

Click the Settings button to adjust your speed reading experience:

  • Speed – Use the slider to adjust reading speed in WPM (words per minute). Higher numbers mean faster reading.

  • Anchor – When turned on, this highlights the middle letter of each word to help maintain focus.

  • Show Phonics – When turned on, words are broken into syllables for easier pronunciation.

Click Save to apply your changes.

Tip: Start with a slower speed like 100-200 WPM if you are new to speed reading, then gradually increase as you get comfortable. The phonics feature is especially helpful for unfamiliar or complex words.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

It's helped me immensely with being able to focus and process words on any website

Emily Chan

Emily Chan

Helperbird user

I really liked the ease of setting up and also accessing the tool while you are on chrome. I had no trouble, and within a week found myself using it without even noticing.

Daniel C.

Daniel C.

Account Executive

Simplemente increíble. Nunca he tenido una extensión con tantísimas opciones juntas. Como profesor, siempre la recomiendo a las familias de estudiantes con dificultades para mantener la atención, a la hora de leer, y otras necesidades específicas, aunque pienso que puede ser de uso para cualquiera. ¡Un 10!

Firefox user

Firefox user

Profesor / Teacher

So far ive got nothing but amazing things to say about this extension. It helps everyday life so much!

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Helperbird user

A truly great extension! We installed this on all of our 200 Chromebooks across the 3 special schools i work in and it has greatly helped our students use technology to learn. It not only helps our dyslexic learners, but also our autistic and ADHD students by helping remove distractions and making the web a more accessible place. Support is fast and efficient, and updates are very regular with new features constantly being added!

Josh Sharrad

Josh Sharrad

Helperbird user

I am an assistive technology consultant for 30 school districts. I am adding Helperbird to the list of reading resources that I have available.

Denise Young

Denise Young

Parent

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