Today’s kids have grown up in the digital age, and the use of Assistive Technology (AT) can provide invaluable support for students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities in their classrooms and at home.
The AT market can seem overwhelming with so many different free and paid choices. So, to get you started, our latest Friday Five video has information on our top 3 AT choices.
Reviewed and updated October 28, 2026.
The best place to start with assistive technology is a specific task. What is hard for your child to access, organize, or communicate—and what would help them participate more independently?
Text-to-speech: accessing written content
A text-to-speech tool reads digital text aloud. Ask whether it works with the materials your child actually uses and whether features such as highlighting or replay help them stay oriented.
Speech-to-text: getting ideas onto the page
Dictation can provide another way to draft. Your child may still need instruction and support to plan ideas, use punctuation, check recognition errors, and revise what the tool records.
Audiobooks: access to stories and information
Audio can let your child engage with books that are difficult to read independently. Listening access and direct instruction in word reading have different purposes; one does not automatically replace the other.
Try a small, practical comparison
Choose one real assignment or reading task.
Show your child how the tool works.
Notice the support they need to use it.
Ask whether the task is more accessible and whether they can explain what they learned.
Check device compatibility, privacy settings, school requirements, and cost before committing to a tool. Features and pricing can change, so review the provider’s current information.
Coordinate with school and instruction
Ask which tools are already available through school and where practice can happen. A tool is more useful when your child knows when to use it and the adults supporting them understand its role.
For related questions, see our guide to classroom accommodations.
Find a useful next step
Explore resources for families or book a free consultation to talk through your child’s reading, spelling, and writing needs.