Comments on: Is the iPad Good or Bad for Dyslexic Children?

By: Kimberley Hort

Kimberley Hort — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:18:19 +0000

Surely a question like good or bad does not take into account how it’s used and the myriad of experiences people have with it. My first thought, however, is that the cost makes it fairly inaccesible.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:35:55 +0000

I work in health care, use an iPad everyday, it is brilliant, apps for medicine, dragon dictation and pages, for letters, I wish I had this when I was at school,

By: Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:18:22 +0000

I think it is great! I have Dyslexia, and I was part of a trial group to try out the ipad 2. I have been using Dragon speech-to-text program of about 20 years now. So I remeber the days were it took weeks to get the program to work right. Dragon on the ipad work great right out of the box!!!!!! If anyone would like a full report just email me. I would to talk to anyone that has question. Ipad is also great for Autism.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:47:16 +0000

My 9 year old son has just been diagnosed with dyslexia. He is in grade 3 and will be going into grade 4 next year. I have been advised to purchase software which will aid his learning, such as textease and ginger spell. I can’t see these as apps on the ipad. Is there other programs which are available as apps and will do the same job – ie: automatically spellcheck words as spelt by someone with dyslexia, and also provide text to speech capabilities? I am trying to decide whether a laptop or an ipad would be of more benefit. I am especially interested in comments from other parents or, better yet, young people who have dyslexia and use the apps available on ipad. Thanks.

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:33:37 +0000

I’m in 8th grade and I have dyslexia and an iPad it differently has awesome features that help me a lot like when you select a word you have the option to use the dictionary to find out what it means. Also if you spell a word wrong it has automatic or selected word correction. There are many awesome apps that help a lot like The Elements, World Factbook, The Solar system, Wolframn Alpha algebra, istudiez pro, Brain Pop, 3D cell, Dragon Dictation, Audiotorium, Mathboard, Penultimate, iBooks,vbooks and the recommended dictionary for dyslexia Collins Cobuild Dictionary. The iPad is way more portable and has more securiety options like the ability to use mobile me to shut it off if it gets stolen and also through mobile me the ability to find it if it’s misplacen or lost.Its also a lot more portable and less distracting to other students. My iPad is also a great assignment book because when I enter my assignments into inclass it pops up when I turn it on it also sends me and my mom an email so I can’t procrastinate. If you think about all the amazing things it can do its cheaper than a laptop. The dictionary which cost around 15-16 dollars cost 6-7 dollars with more features. Dragon Dictaion on a computer cost 100 dollars on an ipad it’s free. Also schools get a $50 discount at apple or on there website.

By: Sol

Sol — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:07:59 +0000

Hi all,

Sandra, could you tell us abit more about the text to speech function on iPad? Can you personalise the voice or what is it like?
My son is going into high school and someone suggested a kindle, so he could scan his assignments
into a file, load it onto kindle and have it convert to speech. Would the iPad do this as well do you know?
And has anyone any recommendations for specialised spell checkers? Do we know if they work on the iPad yet?
My son finds vowels impossible so the usual spell checks never work for him.
Any tips anyone?

Thanks

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 05:38:04 +0000

I have an iPad for my grade 5 dyslexic son. (I’m actually using it now!) there has for sure been an improvement. We have free apps such as SPELL THAT! , dragon dictTion, dragon search, ace multiply , mathboard,, plus countless books in iBooks with the text to speech shortcut key. The bright clean screen, the fewer words per page and only seeing one page at a time has been immensely helpful. I highly recommend it.

We organize his work in ihomework.

With regards to his courses in school, we look up the topics he is doing in iBooks and buy simpler books with pictures ( such as magnets) so he can understAnd the material, yet be able to read it in an easier format. The school has great too.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:02:15 +0000

I believe they should send an iPad to about 50 dyslexic children and find out the truth through experience. My child would love to have one. She has been through many dyslexic programs and would welcome any new concept. She is entering 6th grade.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:03:49 +0000

I think the iPad will help children and adults with dyslexia, just as it will help everyone across the board. I think the iPad is a true game changer in education. I have a few articles on my blog that you can read about the iPad's general use in education. The most popular article is six ways the ipad will transform education. Check it out and leave some feedback. Thanks.

By: leanne

leanne — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:33:51 +0000

I have only just found out about dyslexia.
When i was at school i hated the PC.
When i went to college i started to use macs and found them so much easier and got top marks for the course.
i find the mac layout so much easier and cleaner the ipad will be great for children to move and find folders etc.

By: Ruby Hawk

Ruby Hawk — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:53:05 +0000

I certainly hope it will help but I think children should still work with paper and pen. I believe it aids their reading skills. RubyHawk

By: Trevor M.

Trevor M. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:23:50 +0000