Dyslexie font is a font specifically designed to make letters more distinguishable and reduce flipping or blurring ($4.99-$49.99/month depending on product).
Helperbird is an accessibility tool that makes web pages, PDFs, and more easier to read and write ($30/Year).
ReaderSpeaker TextAid allows students to listen to an audio version of assignments, textbooks, and other written materials while following along with highlighted text. It also includes writing support, speech-to-text and text-to-speech features, and tools to reduce distractions, like reading masks and customizable text settings. (FREE 14-day trial; $4.90/month subscription)
KNFB Reader has text-to-speech text detection, viewfinder assist, and text highlighting software
Reading focus cards or rulers help guide the eyes along lines of text (see Reading Ruler).
Postlight Reader allows you to only view the important content of a site by blocking ads and all other distractions. You can also adjust the text and send articles to a Kindle device. (FREE)
OpenDyslexic is a font for Chrome is an open source font that increases readability for those with dyslexia. This Google Chrome extension overrides all fonts on webpages with the OpenDyslexic font and formats pages to be more easily readable. (FREE)
Dyslexia Friendly is a Google Chrome extension that replaces the font on websites with OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans for easier readability, provides contrast between paragraphs, and includes a highlighted bar to help users stay on the correct line while reading. (FREE)
ATbar combines many accessibility tools into one toolbar. It is available for most browsers and allows you to change the way you view and interact with webpages. You can change the look and feel, font size, have text read aloud, use colored overlays, and access a dictionary, spell check, and word prediction. (FREE)
Microsoft’s Immersive Reader reads text aloud (in multiple languages) and improves learning especially for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. It can also be used as a Google Chrome extension. (FREE)
Read&Write for Google Chrome allows the user to personalize documents, webpages, and files in Google Drive to be more accessible. Features include text-to-speech with dual-color highlighting, text and visual dictionaries, dictation, predictive text, collective highlighting, voice notes, and distraction-free ad removal. (FREE 30-day trial, then $145.00 per year for a single license)
For more text-to-speech or speech-to-text tools and apps, check out our article Top Communication Tools, Apps, Assistive Technology, and More.
Ghotit Real Writer & Reader supports spelling, grammar, and context-based word prediction, making it a helpful tool for struggling writers, including those with dyslexia or dysgraphia. While it offers powerful features, it can be quite pricey compared to other writing support tools.
Co-writer uses AI word prediction to help with grammar and sentence curation to help students with writing difficulties.
Grammarly checks grammar and spelling, and provides AI-generated suggestions to help students continue their writing. Available for free in the App Store or Google Play store.
Bookshare has the largest online library of accessible reading materials, and it’s free if you show that your child has a disability that prevents reading traditional print books. One benefit of Bookshare is that it reads text aloud AND leads you through the text, so it’s a good choice for students who need visual and audio supports. (FREE with demonstrated need)
Readability Tutor is a reading app based on Orton-Gillingham principles, offering structured, personalized reading support to build fluency, comprehension, and confidence. It adapts to each student’s reading level and provides real-time feedback. (30-day free trial; $19.99/month)
LearningAlly provides free access to audiobooks and educational resources designed to support students with reading difficulties. It also offers tools and support for both educators and families to help children succeed at home and in the classroom.
WhisperSync allows students to switch from reading to listening for students reading audible books (FREE).
Livescribe Smartpen this pen captures both writing and audio simultaneously, allowing users to revisit their notes and listen to the corresponding audio recordings.
Orton-Gillingham (OG) Reading Programs and Apps offers structured, explicit, and multisensory reading apps that are tailored to students that struggle with reading.
Dyslexia.ai is a free app available on IOS that offers short and simple games to help improve literacy skills, including targeted exercises for reading, spelling, phonics, rhyming, and vowel sounds ($49.99/year).
Nessy offers free learning resources for kids with dyslexia to practice their reading and writing. They also offer programs that are tailored to them.
Sound Sorting an activity where students master short and long vowel sounds.
Sir Linkalot is an app that upends the “repetition leads to learning” approach to spelling and instead allows kids to learn to spell through exposing them to patterns of letter combination — links. This innovative approach is especially effective for children with dysgraphia or dyslexia because it mixes up the learning strategies and keeps kids focused and engaged.
Mind maps are a great tool for students with dyslexia since they transform information into clear visuals that are easier to grasp. Rather than depending on written notes, students can use mind maps to structure ideas with key words, pictures, and associations.
MindNode Next is an IOS app that was specifically designed for children with dyslexia and ADHD to help collaborate with others, brainstorm, and figure out everything (FREE w/ in-app purchases).
Coggle is a free online mind-mapping tool that helps students visually organize ideas in a continuous, branching flow. It's great for brainstorming, outlining essays, or breaking down complex topics into manageable parts.
Mindomo is a software that offers AI-powered generation for mind maps, outlines, charts and more (FREE-$16.50/month depending on the plan)
Popplet is a mind-mapping tool that helps students to organize their thoughts through bubbles (also referred to as “popples”) representing ideas, images, and notes (FREE-$19.99/year).
SnapType lets students take a photo of a worksheet and type their answers right on it — reducing the need for handwriting.
Co-writer uses AI word prediction to help with grammar and sentence curation to help students with writing difficulties.
Voice Typing is a feature that converts spoken words to written text. Google Docs and Microsoft both offer voice typing.
Fireflies ai notetaker helps to record, transcribe, and summarize lessons.
Google Keep, OneNote, Evernote offer speech-to-text and text-to-speech features that help to take notes, stay organized, and spell check.
Livescribe Smartpen, which uses speech-to-text technology to help learners take and review their notes, and uses dyslexia-friendly fonts.
Clicker and Docs Plus are literacy support software that use word prediction, images, speech feedback, a talking spell checker and planning, and structuring and editing tools to support students with learning disabilities, low vision, and more. ($349 for a 3-year license, with option to pay $29.09/month for 12 months)
Otter.ai records audio and automatically takes notes in real time, so that students can focus on the discussion.
Owll.ai is an AI-powered note-taking and transcription app.
Students who struggle with fine motor control may benefit from tools that make writing physically easier and more accessible.
Low-tech tools:
Pencil grips: improve hand positioning and reduce fatigue.
Dyslexia line reader: allows the reader to focus without losing their place.
Adapted pencils and pens, such as weighted pens, erasable pens, dry erase markers.
Adaptive paper such as raised line paper, double lined paper, or wide ruled notebooks.
Slant boards or taping paper to the wall to give the student better wrist positioning to write.
High-tech programs and apps:
Handwriting Without Tears includes tactile and digital writing programs like Wet-Dry-Try and Keyboarding Without Tears.
iTrace (iOS) is a tracing app for young learners working on letter formation.
Dexteria (iOS) offers fine motor exercises and hand strengthening activities ($8.99).
LetterSchool (iOS & android) a fun, interactive app for tracing letters and practicing handwriting fluency.
ABC Kids (iOS & android) helps toddlers and preschoolers practice their ABCs and phonics where they trace letters (FREE).
Jennifer King, PhD, from Dysgraphia Life explains how assistive technology can help kids with dysgraphia, as well as the limitations to be aware of.
Students who struggle with understanding math and other number-based information may benefit from tools that make learning math more accessible.
Low-tech tools:
Apps for math support:
Photomath allows students to scan the math problem with their phone, and it offers a step by step explanation about how to complete the assignment. (FREE; $9.99/month for Photomath Plus)
MathType writes math equations and chemical formulas in Google Docs™ and Google Slides™
ModMath is an iPad app that helps kids with dyslexia and dysgraphia do math. (FREE; $4.99 for pro version)
Equatio moves math into digital instruction and helps students hear their math read aloud to them. It helps students to visualize and explore a written equation. (Free trial/$150 per year for a single license; teachers have free access.)
The Math Learning Center has 10 stand-alone Chrome and iOS apps for math manipulatives. The apps include fractions, math clock, number lines, and more. (FREE)
Dexteria Dots - Get in Touch with Math is an app that helps students practice their math skills while working on dexteria skills at the same time.
Plus 10: A Math Practice Set for Special Education & Intellectual Disabilities is an inexpensive packet for students to practice their addition math skills.
ArithmeType Math Keyboard is designed specifically to help students learn mathematics. The keyboard locates the numbers, operations, common math letters and symbols in one plug-and-play device that works alongside the computer. The output of math is therefore more fluid compared to a standard QWERTY keyboard.
DoodleMaths is an app for kids that boosts maths confidence and ability by creating every child a unique maths experience tailored to their needs.
For students who struggle with executive functioning skills like memory, time management, and self-motivation, etc. these tools can help learning, reduce frustration, and build independence in math and life.
DREME for teachers: a website, created by University of Denver, to assist teachers in coming up with math activities to help preschool students with executive functioning.
Time Timer (visual timers for math pacing)
3-in-1 Visual Timer for Kids/Adults (visual timer with a “check-list”)
The right assistive technology and apps can make a meaningful difference for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. From tools that support reading and writing to those that strengthen math and organizational skills, there are a wide variety of options to explore. To learn how to effectively include these tools in your child’s IEP, be sure to check out our article on IEP Assistive Technology Tools. For more information on specific learning disabilities, head to our articles Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) 101, Dyslexia 101, Dysgraphia 101, and Dyscalculia 101.
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