Apps for Kids with Special Needs and Learning Disabilities (3) | Common Sense Media

Social Interaction

Reading & Writing

Math

Reading & Writing Challenges Overview

Reading and writing skills are necessary for school, work, and life, but many kids struggle to master them. For kids with a learning difference or poor coordination in their hands, learning to read and write can be particularly difficult. Some kids also have mild vision problems that affect how their eyes move across a page or how well they can see small print. Nearly 62 million Americans are dyslexic; that's one in five (The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia, 2012). Here, we provide a list of common signs of reading and writing challenges and offer tips on how to help kids who have them. We also have tips for choosing apps to improve reading and writing skills and a list of related resources.

Common challenges

Reading or spelling words that other kids their age can recognize and spell
Learning numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, colors, and shapes
Making their eyes follow the line of words on a page
Remembering what they've just read

Common signs

Being reluctant to read and write, and reading slowly and with much effort
Confusing letter names and sounds
Having messy, unreadable, or very large handwriting
Writing letters backward or upside down when in the third or fourth grade
Confusing basic words such as "was" and "want" or "left" and "felt"

Ways to help

Give directions verbally as well as in writing.
Break down directions into small steps; give only one or two instructions at a time.
Encourage kids to spell by speaking each sound aloud.
Focus on the child's strengths, not weaknesses.
Try not to expect reading or writing beyond a kid's abilities.

What to look for in an app

Opportunities to practice letter or word recognition and expand vocabulary
Tools that read words aloud and highlight words as they're read
Settings that allow for gradual increase in length or complexity of words/passages
Keyboards that read each letter, word, or sentence aloud as a kid types
Automatic spell-checking that tells kids when they misspell a word
Predictive text, which gives kids options to select from a few word choices.

Learn more

LD Online: authoritative guidance for parents and teachers on ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading and writing challenges
Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity: current research, advocacy, and information about dyslexia
"Is Your Child in Grade 3-5 Showing Signs of Dyslexia?": quiz from Understood.org helps identify signs of dyslexia in elementary-aged kids
The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia: documentary that explores the hidden gifts of dyslexics; official selection award at many film festivals, including Sundance

Our sources

Experts consulted

Melinda Techler, speech language pathologist and reading specialist
Amy Martini, reading recovery teacher, Ravenswood City School District, East Palo Alto, Calif.
Gayl Bowser, independent assistive technology consultant

Power Tip

Once kids learn new skills with tools like FirstWords: Deluxe, extend learning into home or school. Find the same words in the home or classroom, and match the letters.

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News-2-You

This current-events app uses symbols and audio for kids who have difficulty reading. Engaging games and comprehension quizzes reinforce what kids are learning. The app is designed for kids with autism and cognitive disabilities.

iPad

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Noodle Words HD - Action Set 1

For kids who have difficulty reading or remembering definitions, this can be a powerful way to interact with words in a stress-free, playful way that may help them see words in a new light.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

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OG Card Deck

Using a multisensory approach, the app teaches the sounds of the building blocks of language to help kids who have trouble with reading and writing. Through videos, kids can even see how particular letter combinations are made with the mouth.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

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Pictello

Create personal social stories using photos and your own voice to help kids on the autism spectrum with transitions or as a behavioral strategy.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

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QuestionIt

This intriguing app can help kids understand how to answer "wh" questions. It's designed to help kids with autism and language issues develop and strengthen language concepts.

iPad

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Power Tip

Once kids learn new skills with tools like FirstWords: Deluxe, extend learning into home or school. Find the same words in the home or classroom, and match the letters.

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This guide was made possible through the support of SCE and Understood.