If you’re someone with dyslexia, what an age to be born into, right? Advances in technology for dyslexia over the last ten years have really changed the landscape due to the vast amount of accessibility options! Assistive technology is now something that is so commonplace that EVERYONE uses these features, not only individuals with neuro differences!
Half the battle of accessing such tools is knowing about them and knowing how to USE them.
Assistive Technology is NOT a cheat, so please dispel this concept. For so many people, these tools simply level the playing field.
Some examples of commonly used assistive technology for dyslexia are text to speech, speech to text, audio books, optical readers, smart pens, grammar check software, magnification and tracking supports, and amplification systems. They all have their place and one or several can be implemented in a student’s IEP to help them access greater success. Think of these the same as a ramp for an individual in a wheelchair.
Let Texas stand as an example to other states. Texas leading the way with tech integration plans is a key highlight found in the dyslexia handbook. The 82nd legislature passed Senate Bill 866 which developed a tech plan for integrating technology into the classroom to help accommodate students with dyslexia. It lined out the recommended technology to use with students for different needs. Here are some of the recommendations:
Website Decluttering Extensions remove ads and distractions, leaving only text and images:
Audiobooks are voice recordings of the text of a book that you listen to rather than read. Generally, these are accessible through a school district. With a documented dyslexia diagnosis, these companies will allow you to access these tools for free:
Remember, to access these free resources, you often need a documented diagnosis. If you haven’t secured one yet, see our guide on dyslexia testing for kids.
Text to Speech is a form of speech synthesis that converts text into broken speech.
Speech to Text is the process of converting speech input into digital text, based on speech recognition. I personally use this DAILY and I am not dyslexic!
Digital Annotation allows students and teachers to label and mark up text, images, songs, websites, videos and more!
Digital/Oral Administration of Tests can be provided to students through these tools by recording your voice reading questions. Students can then play/rewind/repeat!
My biggest suggestion is to pick a few and explore them yourself! Once you have chosen your favorite make sure to TEACH your student HOW to use them and WHEN to use them. With regular coaching, these will begin to change their lives. Writing them into their IEP is not enough.
If you want to move from simply knowing about these tools to successfully implementing them in your child’s daily routine, we have created two in-depth resources to guide you:
Empowering Independence: Assistive Tech Toolkit Overview: This comprehensive resource guide provides a deeper look at how to build a personalized “toolkit” for your student, focusing on fostering long-term independence in their schoolwork.
Webinar: Assistive Technology for Students with Dyslexia: For a more visual and explained approach, our recorded webinar walks you through these technologies in action, helping you understand which specific tools are most appropriate for your child’s age and grade level.
To learn more about technology for dyslexia and other methods to help your child, please contact us today at www.dyslexiaondemand.com.
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