10 great apps for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and Specific Learning Difficulties
Phonics and Rhyme apps
St. Ives: book & nursery rhyme
Fun illustrations and music enable children to work on numbers and phonics in this interactive app centred around the folksong St Ives. Works on Apple and Android
Teach your Monster to Read (Teach Monster Games Ltd)
For beginner readers -- involves matching phonemes to letters while repairing a monster’s spaceship. UK voice for a narrative that develops listening and moves up and down levels. Interactive and free – Apple and Android.
Reading apps
Smarty Ears Apps
Over 60 apps which use up-to-the-minute technology to target speech and language skills. Developed by a team of SLTs in the U.S. using the latest research in the field, for everything from phonological awareness to spelling. Start from the website.
ClaroSoftware
Assistive technology for reading (text to speech) and writing which uses human voice, highlighted text, and a range of fonts. It can be applied to text in 27 different languages, using 40+ different voices (basic package allows you to choose four) as well as prompting with predictive text and spellchecker, detecting common homophone errors. PDFs (ClaroPDF) are within its capability, as are photos, and include handy features such as ‘voice in background’ reading text while you study a different app. ClaroView can change text colour or background for visual-reading difficulties. Being recognised by the Joint Council for Qualifications makes it essential for secondary-level exams. Apple or Android.
Spelling apps
Smarty Spell
This is a tool for both parents and teachers to practise and perfect spelling skills. Up to five players choose lists of words appropriate to their theme or year group, or custom-made to a context. Easy-to-use visuals and helpful hints to get you started make it popular with children, and data is collected for each individual’s performance in graphs or colour-coded lists. Ipad only.
Writing apps
Apps to help with Dyspraxia
Doodlejump
A dynamic game of balance and judgement (and fun too) which develops processing speed and visual perception. Individuals or multiple players become The Doodler and navigate ceaselessly between monsters, projectiles, UFOs, and other obstacles, defying gravity. The setting can be adapted to different themes — eg Christmas, Football, Ninja. Available in a variety of formats, including Android, Apple, Xbox.
Apps to help with Executive Function
Children with specific learning needs frequently have trouble with time concepts, which results in poor time-management and planning.
Niki Time
This is part of the Niki Talk apps, designed by a software developer dad for his own daughter. Niki Time works on a range of Apple devices and presents days, weeks, months, years, seasons, and weather in picture form. You can add symbols or photos to create a timetable or aide-mémoire. Uses charming French picture symbols and a range of languages. Age three and up. Start from the website.
