Three alternatives to Dyslexia on Demand therapy

Dyslexia is a reading disability that affects one in five children. But there are several different ways to overcome it. Besides popular programs like Dyslexia on Demand, there are a few worthy alternatives. 

What is Dyslexia on Demand therapy

Dyslexia on Demand is a program that spreads awareness of this learning disability and aims to assist students regardless of their location. This means that reading specialists can access the course and help students wherever they are.

These classes are online, and they are designed to make dyslexia therapy available to students all across the globe. And with that, children will be able to develop confidence, improve reading skills, work on reading comprehension, and focus on special education.

It is one of the best programs you can find today, and the fact that it is available worldwide makes it even more accessible for people. The International Dyslexia Association has also been working hard to spread awareness and help people worldwide. 

An overview of the effects of dyslexia on children

Dyslexia is a reading difficulty, and there are a couple of different ways it can affect children and adolescents. The most obvious problem is that a dyslexic child will struggle at school since the majority of the content is in written form. 

But at the same time, those with dyslexia might struggle with writing and decoding as well, and it can have a negative impact on their life. This learning disorder can cause problems with cognitive abilities, self-esteem, language skills, stress, aggression, and so much more. 

It will also be challenging to complete tasks and have good grades. And these are all just a few reasons why the problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible. In some cases, dyslexia can appear with other conditions such as dyscalculia or dysgraphia. 

This means that the dyslexia treatment will be more complex. As always, early intervention is the key. But it can help regardless of whether the student is at the first-grade level or in high school. 

Unconventional alternatives to Dyslexia on Demand

While Dyslexia on Demand is a great program, there are still alternatives worth checking out. And some of them can be quite unconventional. This is also the main advantage of these remediations. They are versatile. 

If for any reason Dyslexia on Demand is not up your alley, you can just check some of these entries on the list. They are different but serve the same purpose. And they can be an effective way to battle dyslexia and the negative consequences it can have. 

Text to speech

Text-to-speech apps are accessibility tools that can help with dyslexia and other learning disabilities and impairments. And the main advantage of these apps is that anyone can use them. If you take a look at Speechify, which is the most popular TTS tool, it is available on all platforms. 

Speechify can also support numerous languages and accents, and it is a perfect option for those practicing a new language or for auditory learners. The app is highly versatile, and the quality is incredible. 

But the primary reason why Speechify is so good is that it can help dyslexic students. They won’t need to go suffer through each page of the text when the app will be able to read it for them. 

Spell-checking 

Since the primary issue with dyslexia diagnosis is reading fluency, having a tool that can simplify the process will be more than helpful. It is not rare for schools to have written assignments, and if this is the case, dyslexic children will struggle during the school year. 

This problem can be eliminated by using spell-checking tools in a short period of time. Once the assignment is completed, all you will need to do is open the app and paste the text. The software will go through the content and mark all errors that require attention. 

And that’s it. Reading programs can be exhausting with dyslexia, ADHD, and other disabilities, especially when a student needs to focus on fixing mistakes. So, spell-checking apps can be a nice addition to your class. 

Smartpens

In the past couple of years, many people have been exploring smartpens and what they have to offer. These gadgets are designed to record lectures or classes while you write, and they can be quite useful for people with learning disabilities. 

If you missed a part of the lesson, you can always listen to the class again and check out the missing part. You can also find scanning pens that have optical character recognition, allowing you to scan the text and convert it into audio and read aloud or using headphones. 

These pens can be quite good for struggling readers, but they can also be pricey. 

Best ways to support learners with dyslexia

The number one tip for supporting learners with dyslexia is to be supportive. Having a learning disability can be exhausting, and it can have a negative effect on mental health and self-esteem. 

So, you will need to be patient. It is also good if classroom teachers can invest in professional improvement and learn more about dyslexia intervention programs. Having the right tools and multisensory approach can be life-changing, and there are many different ways to adapt the class so everyone can participate. 

It is essential to work with those students and help them follow the class. But patience and support are the keys to success. 

FAQs

What type of therapy is used for dyslexia?

In the majority of cases, problems start with phonological awareness. And changing the teaching methodology can make a difference. 

Many public schools start with phonics (Orton-Gillingham and Barton) as a way to include all students, and it is an effective way of overcoming the disability. Phonemic awareness can also be a method worth checking out, and it works for all ages.

What is the best assistive technology for dyslexia?

The best assistive technology for dyslexia is text-to-speech. These apps can easily convert text into an audio file, and they can be quite versatile. One of the most popular options today is Speechify, and the app is available on all operating systems. 

What is the best way to support learners with dyslexia?

The best way to assist learners with dyslexia is patience and support. They will need a lot of work and dedication to overcome their disability, but it is possible. It is also a good idea to focus on individualized learning (IEP) or small groups, and changes in the dyslexia tutoring approach.