Navigating the World of Dyslexia: A Parent's Guide to Technology
- Designed to Learn
- Oct 14, 2024
- 7 min read
When my child was first diagnosed with dyslexia, I felt overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. Like many parents, I wondered how to best support their learning journey. Initially, when I sought advice from experts, they didn’t have answers that suited my learner’s unique needs. This experience motivated me to delve deeper into specialized resources, which have greatly informed our approach and brought us valuable insights. Through years of exploration and hands-on experience, I've discovered that technology can be a powerful ally in empowering students with dyslexia to access, understand, and enjoy learning.
This guide shares the tools and resources that have made the biggest difference in our family's journey. From free applications to subscription services, each recommendation comes from personal experience and proven success in supporting students with dyslexia.
Understanding Your Options: A Roadmap to Success
Before diving into specific tools and apps, it's important to understand that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is finding the right combination of resources that works for your child. I've organized these tools into three categories:
Core Learning Tools: Setting up your devices to support dyslexia learners and essential applications for daily academic success
Foundation Building: Resources for understanding and advocating for dyslexic learners
Reading Access: Platforms for accessing books and educational materials
CORE LEARNING TOOLS
1. Setting up your Chromebook
Many school districts now provide Chromebooks as standard technology, recognizing their value in supporting diverse learning needs. For students, particularly those with dyslexia, customizing their Chromebook to enhance readability and comprehension can make a significant difference. Here are three powerful ways to tailor the Chromebook experience:
Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud): This feature is invaluable for dyslexic learners who benefit from auditory learning. Chromebooks offer a 'Select-to-speak' option that allows students to highlight text that they want read aloud. This can help in decoding text and understanding content without the strain of reading traditional print. To enable this, go to Settings, click on 'Advanced', then 'Accessibility', and turn on 'Select-to-speak'. Students can then select text and press the designated key (usually Search key + S) to hear it spoken.
Speech-to-Text (Dictation): For students who find typing challenging, Chromebooks support hands-free writing through their dictation tool. This feature is especially useful for composing essays, answering questions, or taking notes. To use it, enable 'Dictation' in the accessibility settings, and a microphone icon will appear on the screen's shelf. Simply click this icon and start speaking; Chromebook will transcribe the spoken words into text in real time.
Simplified View for Reading: To help dyslexic students focus on the essential parts of web pages without distractions, Chromebooks can simplify the display of content. This is achieved through the Chrome browser’s 'Simplified view' feature, which strips away non-essential elements like ads and sidebars, allowing students to concentrate on the text. To activate this, open Chrome, go to 'Settings', click on 'Accessibility', and then turn on 'Simplified view for web pages'.
2. Read Aloud Function on Apple Products
Setting up the Read Aloud function on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks can significantly enhance the usability of these devices for individuals with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. To enable this feature on iPhone and iPad, navigate to Settings, select Accessibility, then Spoken Content, and activate Speak Selection and Speak Screen. On MacBooks, access this function via System Preferences, choose Accessibility, select Speech, and enable “Speak selected text when the key is pressed.” These settings allow text on the screen to be read aloud, facilitating better comprehension and interaction with digital content. Customize the voice and speech rate to suit individual needs, integrating seamlessly with other assistive technologies.
Why We Love It:
Ease of Use: Simple activation process.
Customization: Adjustable voice and speed settings.
Integration: Works well with other accessibility features.
3. Speech to Text on Apple Products
The Speech to Text capability on iOS and macOS is an invaluable tool for students with dyslexia, simplifying the way they interact with digital platforms. Activate this by tapping the microphone icon on the keyboard on an iPhone or iPad, or by enabling Dictation in the Keyboard settings under System Preferences on a MacBook. This feature transforms spoken words into written text, easing the process of writing notes, completing assignments, and conducting searches. By reducing the challenges associated with traditional typing, Speech to Text allows students to focus more on their studies and less on the mechanics of writing, enhancing their overall educational experience.
Why We Love It:
Accessibility: Makes writing accessible for students with dyslexia.
Efficiency: Speeds up the writing process.
Versatility: Useful for notes, assignments, and web searches.
FOUNDATION BUILDING
This UK-based non-profit transformed my perspective as a parent. Their mission—to train every teacher and empower every dyslexic mind—resonated deeply with me. Their free training helped me shift focus from my child's struggles to recognizing their unique strengths.
What makes it exceptional:
Free comprehensive training for parents and educators
Evidence-based resources
Positive, strengths-based approach
Practical implementation strategies
Their powerful message that "our education system is disabled, not our children" helped me understand that my child's cognitive differences are valuable assets to be celebrated. This is training every administrator, teacher, and parent should plan to take.
Resource Links:
Free Training: Made by Dyslexia Training Portal
Comprehensive Guide: Educator's Handbook
READING ACCESS
This free Microsoft tool brought tears to my eyes when I first discovered its capabilities. Built into Microsoft applications like Word and OneNote, it's a game-changer for accessing grade-level text.
Key Features:
Text-to-speech with word highlighting
Customizable font size and background color
Focus mode options
Syllable breakdown
Color-coding for parts of speech
Built-in picture dictionary
Translation into 60+ languages
Pro Tip: Look under the View tab in Microsoft applications for easy access.
These apps complement Immersive Reader by handling printed materials. While they require annual subscriptions, they're often FSA-reimbursable.
Highlights:
Converts printed materials to readable text
Choice of voice options (including celebrities!)
Adjustable reading speed
Broad compatibility with various text formats
Pro Tip: For multi-column text, use the crop feature to guide the reading order.
3. Bookshare
This service has revolutionized how we access academic materials. With a documented disability, students receive free access to an extensive library of accessible textbooks and books.
Benefits:
Free for qualified students
Extensive textbook library
Multiple format options
Compatible with other assistive technology
Success Story: We've combined Bookshare with OneNote and Immersive Reader to create perfectly organized, accessible textbook content.
4. Library Digital Platforms
While not specifically designed for dyslexic readers, these platforms have become essential tools in our literacy journey:
Libby connects users to their local library’s collection of ebooks and audiobooks using a library card. It's known for its user-friendly interface and high-quality audiobook options, which are perfect for reading along. For instance, when a child brings home a book from school, you can often find the audiobook version on Libby, allowing them to listen while following the printed text.
Why we love Libby:
Free access with a library card.
Extensive collection of ebooks and audiobooks.
High-quality audio options enhance comprehension.
User-friendly interface facilitates easy navigation.
Hoopla offers a similar service with the added benefit of immediate availability; there are no waitlists for titles. Users have access to audiobooks, ebooks, and even music and movies, which makes it a versatile resource for families.
Why we love Hoopla:
Instant access to all titles without waitlists.
Broad range of media, including books, music, and movies.
Allows borrowing of multiple formats, enhancing learning through multimedia.
Simple to use with automatic return of borrowed items.
CloudLibrary provides an intuitive and straightforward way to access digital books from participating libraries. Its clean layout and functionality make it especially easy for readers who prefer a more streamlined and less distracting interface.
Why we love CloudLibrary:
Clean, easy-to-use interface ideal for all ages.
Access to a global collection of library systems.
Supports both ebooks and audiobooks.
Integration with local library systems for a personalized experience.
Each of these platforms supports the development of reading skills by providing resources that are accessible and engaging. Whether it’s listening to an audiobook while following along with the text in Libby, enjoying the diverse media offerings of Hoopla, or navigating the straightforward interface of Cloud Library, these tools offer valuable support for enhancing literacy in a way that accommodates a variety of learning preferences and needs.
Pro Tip: It's also worth considering the resources available through your state library system. Here’s a link to the State of Kansas where we are. State libraries often offer a wealth of additional resources, including access to extensive databases and digital books that may not be available on other platforms. To access these, inquire with your local librarian about obtaining a state library card. This card can provide further educational resources and enhance your digital library experience, giving you and your child access to a broader range of learning materials and information.
While technology offers numerous advantages, it's crucial for parents to remain actively involved to ensure their children continue to develop foundational literacy skills. Technology should facilitate access to educational materials and enable students to express what they've learned, rather than act as a shortcut. Although AI provides impressive tools that can enhance learning, I am cautious about endorsing platforms that might tempt children to use them as crutches—for instance, to write their papers or bypass the development of comprehension skills. It's essential that children learn to read, write, and think critically and independently. As we integrate technology into education, our goal should be to use these tools to supplement learning and foster deeper engagement, not to replace the hard-earned skills that form the cornerstone of education.
We are developing Designed to Learn’s Pocket Guide to Assistive Technology, designed to empower both parents and teachers to explore and effectively utilize technology in support of diverse learning needs. To ensure you don't miss out and to be added to our waitlist, please subscribe to our updates.
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