Subtitles Against Disability Discrimination

How Subtitles and Closed Captions Help People with Autism, Dyslexia, and ADHD

Subtitles serve an important role in making audio and video content more accessible. They do not only benefit people who are deaf or hard of hearing; subtitles and closed captions also support individuals with autism, dyslexia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For many, these tools bridge communication gaps and make information easier to understand, process, and enjoy.

Why Subtitles and Closed Captions Matter

• They help people understand spoken phrases.
• They make content accessible for viewers with hearing impairments.
• They support those with neurodivergent conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.
• They allow viewers to watch content in noisy or quiet environments without missing information.

Closed Captions vs. Subtitles

• Subtitles display only spoken words for viewers who can hear but may not understand the language.
• Closed captions include both the spoken words and other audio elements, like music or sound effects.

This distinction matters for anyone who relies on non-verbal cues to process information.

How Subtitles and Captions Support People with Autism

Autism, a spectrum disorder, affects communication and social interaction. Many autistic individuals are sensitive to sounds and background noise (Autism Speaks, 2024).

Challenges Faced by People with Autism

• Sensitivity to loud or distracting sounds, such as dogs barking, clocks ticking, or crowded sports games.
• Difficulty processing spoken language when background noise is present.
• Preference for muted environments with minimal auditory stimulation.

Benefits of Closed Captions for Autism

• Viewers can mute audio and still understand video content through captions.
• Captions reduce anxiety caused by noisy or unpredictable sounds.
• They help keep focus on the main ideas without auditory distractions.
• Captions make social settings more inclusive, allowing individuals to participate even when sound is muted.

It is a myth that people with autism do not want to connect with others. Many want to engage but need unique ways—like using closed captions—to do so comfortably.

How Subtitles Help People with Dyslexia

Dyslexia affects about 15% of the population and causes challenges with reading and processing written language (Understood.org, 2024).

Challenges Faced by People with Dyslexia

• Difficulty reading text quickly and accurately.
• Trouble understanding complex information in written form.
• Longer time needed to process and absorb letters and words.

How Subtitles Make a Difference for Dyslexia

• Same-language subtitles allow viewers to read along and reinforce spoken words.
• Combined listening and reading helps strengthen word recognition.
• Subtitles and subtitling services enable viewers to choose the pace that works best for them.
• People can replay content or pause to absorb information at their own speed.

Alternative Methods for Content Consumption

• Listening to audiobooks or podcasts, instead of reading text alone.
• Watching videos with clear, well-timed subtitles to support comprehension.

How Subtitles and Captions Help People with ADHD

ADHD affects attention, focus, and the ability to follow conversations, and it is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adults (Psych Central, 2024).

Typical ADHD Symptoms

• Frequent inattention and shifting from task to task.
• Difficulty staying focused on one topic.
• Problems following multi-step directions or conversations.
• Sensitivity to distractions, both visual and auditory.

How Subtitled Content Supports ADHD

• Information is conveyed through three channels:
  • Visually - through moving images.
  • Orally - through spoken words.
  • Textually - through on-screen subtitles or captions.
• This multi-sensory input reinforces understanding and recall.
• Subtitles can help viewers stay on track with the storyline or lesson.
• Visual-textual support reduces the chance of missing important details.

Benefits for Everyone

Combining visuals, audio, and text benefits not only neurodivergent individuals but also general audiences who want to maximize focus and comprehension.

Making Content Accessible to All

Adding accurate subtitles and captions ensures that content is usable for everyone, regardless of their ability or learning style.

Key Accessibility Solutions

• Professional transcription services for creating accurate text from audio.
• Automated transcription for quick turnaround.
• AI-powered transcription subscriptions for regular workflow needs.
• Closed captioning services for making videos accessible to all audiences.
• Subtitling services for multilingual support and enhanced learning.
• Transcription proofreading services to ensure accuracy.
• Text translation services and audio translation services for a global reach.

Cost and Ordering Tips

• See transcription pricing for affordable solutions.
• Explore captioning services pricing to plan your project budget.
• Ready to get started? Order transcription or order captions online in minutes.

Conclusion: Making Media Universally Accessible

Subtitles and closed captions break down communication barriers for people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and many others. By offering clear, accessible content, you can include everyone—regardless of how they process speech, sound, and text.

If you want to make your content accessible and inclusive, GoTranscript offers a full range of solutions, from transcription and captioning to subtitling and translation. Make your media work for everyone with expert support from GoTranscript.