Helping Dyslexic and ADHDers Love Reading the Bible w/ Laura Bartlett
An Impactful Life
Equipping parents during their child’s academic years to bring learning to daily moments.
The Parenting IQ Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org
On today’s episode…
Reading the Bible can be overwhelming—especially for kids with dyslexia, ADHD, or attention challenges. In this episode, Dr. Kelly Cagle talks with Laura Bartlett of Zondervan Bibles about the innovative Clear Focus Bible, designed with a bionic reading method that boosts fluency and confidence. Whether you're a parent of a neurodivergent child or just looking for ways to make Scripture more engaging at home, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a powerful tool to help every child connect with God's Word.
Show Notes
Helping Dyslexic and ADHDers Fall in Love with the Bible
What if your child could actually enjoy reading the Bible—even if they have dyslexia, ADHD, or just struggle to sit still and focus?
In this powerful episode of the Parenting IQ Podcast, Dr. Kelly Cagle is joined by Laura Bartlett, Associate Publisher at Zondervan Bibles, to discuss an innovative new tool designed to help readers—especially neurodivergent kids—connect with Scripture in a life-changing way: the Clear Focus Bible.
Designed with Cognitive Science in Mind
Unlike traditional Bibles that rely on dense text and small print, the Clear Focus Bible uses the bionic reading method, a research-backed approach that bolds the first few letters of each word. This visual cue helps the brain recognize words more quickly, reduces cognitive load, and enhances focus and fluency—especially for those with dyslexia or ADHD.
As Laura explains, “Instead of losing their place or struggling through every line, kids can move through Scripture with less effort—and even joy.”
The Bible for Every Brain
Whether your child is neurodivergent or neurotypical, bionic reading benefits everyone by easing mental fatigue and creating a smoother, more focused reading experience. This breakthrough doesn’t change the Bible’s content—it simply changes how it's visually presented, making it more accessible for all.
Dr. Kelly shared a touching personal moment: her own son, a struggling reader, often avoids reading aloud—but the Clear Focus Bible sparked new hope. For families like the Cagles, this is more than a Bible—it’s an on-ramp to lifelong faith formation.
Confidence, Joy & Inclusion
From guilt-ridden parents to discouraged kids, this conversation reframes how we think about reading the Bible. Laura’s team created this resource with one purpose in mind: every child deserves to feel included in God's story.
One powerful testimony? A 12-year-old boy with dyslexia who had never volunteered to read aloud before was suddenly eager to share Scripture in his homeschool group—all because of his new Clear Focus Bible.
“This is about saying: You belong here. God’s Word is for you,” Laura said.
Where Innovation Meets Tradition
With deep reverence for Scripture and a heart for modern readers, the Clear Focus Bible bridges ancient truth with modern tools. It’s not changing God’s Word—it’s removing the barriers that keep some from engaging with it.
In Dr. Kelly’s words, “This could literally change everything for our little struggling readers.”
Key Takeaways:
Bionic reading uses bolded letter patterns to enhance reading fluency and focus
Helps kids with ADHD, dyslexia, or attention challenges engage with Scripture
Reduces cognitive overload and increases confidence and joy
Designed to foster faith formation at home through accessibility and innovation
An inclusive, welcoming tool for all reading levels and learning styles
Try It for Yourself
📘 Visit clearfocusbible.com to explore samples and see if the Clear Focus Bible is right for your family. Available in both adult and kids editions—perfect for devotional reading at home.
You don’t need to follow the “perfect method” to grow your child’s faith. Sometimes, you just need the right tools. And this one might just be the game-changer you’ve been praying for.
💛 “Let’s help every child know that Scripture is for them—just as they are.”
About Laura Bartlett
Laura Bartlett is the Associate Publisher at Zondervan Bibles, where she helps bring Scripture to life through innovative Bible projects. With over two decades in the Christian publishing world, Laura is passionate about creating accessible and meaningful tools that help families engage with God's Word. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and daughter, and is a strong advocate for inclusive faith resources—especially for families navigating dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences.
Struggling with screen time and safe tech? Dr. Kelly is proud to partner with Gabb Wireless—the phone that protects childhood. It's a perfect complement to fostering focused, grounded kids in a distracted world.
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