Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Support
- Bethany Valencik
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
In the last four years as a private tutor, and during my ten years of classroom teaching before that, I have encountered numerous students and families who don't learn in the "traditional" manner. They challenge me to discover what methods work best for them. Here are five mostly free learning support resources available for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and specific learning disabilities.
Snap Type (FREE)
Snap Type is a free app!
Is your child having difficulty with writing? Have they been diagnosed with dysgraphia? Let technology assist your child by using Snap Type. Download the free app, capture a photo of the worksheet your child needs to complete using a phone or tablet, and type the answers into the blanks instead of handwriting them. You might think, "Children need to learn how to write!" Yes, they do, but if writing the answers they already know is causing significant distress due to dysgraphia, focus on what's most important. If handwriting is not the primary skill being assessed or practiced, it's crucial that the student can show mastery of the concept in a way that suits them.
Speech to Text Features (FREE)
When I was teaching in the classroom, I had a student with dyslexia. This feature also works well for students with Tourette's Syndrome who have motor tics while writing. The student used their iPad (available on phones or tablets, too!) for speech to text. Opening up a document, choosing the speech to text feature on their iPad, they were able to say what they wanted to say and have it typed for them. Many kids know how to use this feature on their phones or laptops, too. Why should students be held back from sharing their brilliant thoughts and ideas if the only obstacle is handwriting?
Google Lens (FREE)
Struggling with a challenging book on your own? Don't worry! Simply download the free Google Lens app on your phone or tablet. Snap a photo of the page you're on, click "Select Text," and then choose "Listen" to have it read aloud to you. You can also have it translate a page of text for you!
Read Along App (FREE)
Read Along assists children in independently developing their reading abilities with the support of an in-app reading companion called Diya. As children read aloud, Diya employs Google's text-to-speech and speech recognition technology to identify whether a student is having difficulty or is successfully reading the text. She provides encouraging and supportive feedback throughout, similar to a parent or teacher. Kids can also tap on Diya at any time for assistance with pronouncing a word or sentence.
LetterSchool (Free trial & Paid subscription)
LetterSchool is an engaging educational app aimed at children aged 3–8, assisting them in learning to write letters, numbers, shapes, and basic words through interactive tracing activities. It guides children through several stages—beginning with taps, moving to tracing, and ultimately to free writing—while emphasizing phonics, correct letter formation, and fine motor skills.
As always, my tutoring sessions and homeschooling services are designed to cater to your child's current level! There are countless methods to solve problems with my students and their families, and I am committed to finding the perfect solution for them!
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