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.
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Learning Ally |
Instantly access DAISY-formatted audiobooks with Learning Ally (formerly Reading for the Blind & Dyslexic). Learning Ally membership is required. |
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Read2Go |
Bookshare subscribers can enjoy full control over font (size and color), along with text-to-speech technology, with this DAISY-formatted e-reader. |
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iBooks |
Easily adjust brightness and choose from seven different fonts, three page colors, and three distinct layouts when you download your favorite books using iBooks. |
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Kindle |
Adjust the letter size for books on any device with Kindle's free reading app. |
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OverDrive Media Console |
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. |
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Audiobooks from Audible |
You or your child can listen to books on the go with this text-to-speech app that allows for digital literacy in various formats. |
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iTunes U |
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. |
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Aesop's Wheel of Fables |
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. |
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howsjay Pronunciation Dictionary |
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. |
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ZoomReader |
Use ZoomReader to read grocery-store labels, menus, signs, and more while on the go. A device with a five-megapixel camera is needed for best use. |
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ClaroSpeak US |
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. |
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Speak it! |
Easily set font size and, when listening, pause and resume playback with text-to-speech app Speak it! It can even be used while you're on the phone. |
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Web Reader |
This text-to-speech app has the option for male or female high-quality voices. |
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TuneWiki Lyrics |
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. |
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SoundHound |
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.
