Reading is the area in which students with dyslexia struggle the most. Fortunately, there are many mobile apps that can help. While we’ve reviewed all of the following ones, and they work well for my daughter who has dyslexia, we also know that “one size (or app) does not fit all.” You may need to do additional research before finding the app that provides the best “fit” for your child.
Easily adjust brightness and choose from seven different fonts, three page colors, and three distinct layouts when you download your favorite books using iBooks.
This app provides access to audiobooks and e-books from public, school, or college libraries (registration with a local library required) in various digital formats, allowing users with LD to customize the reading experience in ways that work best for them.
Free audio- and video-friendly courses are available at iTunes U, along with a sizeable catalog of free digital education content. Teachers, be sure to search "Lit2Go" for high-quality audio versions of the classics.
A great app for chidren ages 4 through 8, Aesop's Wheel of Fables teaches the moral lessons of 20 fables through the quick spin of a wheel. If grandparents live out of town, they can pre-record the fables in their voice on the child's device for listening at a later date.
This unique pronunciation app uses a real human voice to sound out over 150,000 words. Howsjay is renowned for its accuracy when pronouncing words, including many scientific, mathematical, and medical terms.
ClaroSpeak, a text-to-speech reader, offers five distinct, high-quality voices that can read any accessible text. It also offers a range of color and font settings, including an option for OpenDyslexic font.
This Android- and iPhone-friendly app allows users to listen to their music while watching scrolling lyrics. It's a great way to improve reading and fluency skills.
Students can quickly identify songs, read the lyrics (and improve reading and fluency skills, while they're at it), and learn about the artist on SoundHound.
Note: All of these mobile apps were researched and/or tested by our mother-daughter team in December 2012 on Apple products like the iPhone and iPad. New editions may change the nature of an app, making it more or less LD-friendly. “New” may not mean “better” for you. Also, our recommendations don’t include complimentary apps that require you to buy a full version of a program.
Darla Hatton and Kaila, her teenage daughter (who has dyslexia) have been active members of the larger LD community for years, including giving presentations at the Family Cafe's Annual Conference in Florida. They’re committed to sharing information and supporting the success of individuals with learning disabilities.
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