I have been trying to find a list of assistive technology for my son who doesn’t know his sounds, his handwriting is labored, and he doesn’t know his multiplication facts. He has his math reading problems read to him, thank goodness. He remembers his spelling words long enough for the test, but come Monday, he can only remember a couple of them.
My son has had perfect conduct and perfect attendance. He’s teachable, just not being taught. My main question is what should he be getting as to assistive technology? Thanks for your time and allowing me to ask you questions.
You mention several different concerns that you have with your son’s performance in school. Based on your descriptions, it sounds like memory may be an area of significant difficulty for your son. This may be what is preventing him from learning his multiplication facts and remembering spelling words.
A low-tech solution is to provide your son with a multiplication grid to use while completing math assignments. Some teachers opt to provide these grids for all students, while others give them only to students who are having particular difficulties. Similarly, a list of spelling words added to a personal dictionary to use in the weeks after the spelling test may help him build confidence to use the words in his writing. These types of reference tools can be great resources for students who struggle with memory and accessing information quickly.
Without knowing more about your son’s handwriting and spelling issues, it is difficult to recommend a specific tool. Is there a physical issue that interferes with your son’s ability to write legibly? Does he have difficulty holding a pencil? A student with these issues may require different technological solutions than a student who has difficulty placing letters correctly on the page, or who switches letters (b for d, or p for b, etc.).
However, for many students with difficulty writing, word prediction software, (see From Illegible to Understandable(opens in a new window)) can be helpful. Other writing tools (see Tech Tools for Students with LD) such as talking word processors and portable note-taking devices may also be helpful. With any of these tools, it is best to discuss them with your son’s special education teachers, and the school’s assistive technology coordinator to ensure you find the best fit.
Finally, another good resource for locating assistive technology tools for different student needs is the Tech Matrix(opens in a new window). As with any of the other technology tools mentioned, it is best to look at the different options with your son’s teachers and the school technology coordinator to ensure that tools selected will be appropriate.