to not know how to obtain dictation software for my DS with dyspraxia

[NightTimeCometh]

DS is 18 and bright, but struggles with written work or even getting written work done using a conventional laptop. He's doing a further education course at college presently.

I posted about this on another thread and one helpful person mentioned dication software. But I haven't a clue how to go about finding out if this is suitable for my son or how much it costs.

Contact the student support centre at college - they should be able to advise.

Look up dragon voice recognition software. They even have dictaphones you can take out with you and plug into computer later

DragonDictate is a free app he can use if he's got a smartphone. It's connected to an expensive piece of software for laptops etc, but the app itself is free and I believe is available on both the iTunes and android markets. If I'm right, the dictation can be exported via email. It takes a while for the software to learn a voice; it can come out with gobbeldygook the first few times, but well worth persevering.

Dragon Dictation. Sorry.

I second speaking to the college. They may be able to lend him the necessary software/equipment. The same goes for if he subsequently attends university.

If he needs his own copy you can often pick it up on ebay.

I agree - Dragon is the one (probably the only one, in fact). And colleges are supposed to be able to provide financial help to students with disabilities, so hopefully they will be able to fund it or lend him the software.

Dragon is fab. My DH was halfway through an OU course when he had to have his thumb amputated due to melanoma. The OU gave him a laptop with Dragon installed, a Dragon specialist came to the house with all the headset gubbins and trained him, and he's never looked back.

First see if there is one already loaded on his computer, my laptop (2005) has it as part of windows. Look for speech recognize (US spelling)

Otherwise Dragon Naturally Speaking - you will get a copy on ebay

Sorry I mean look in 'Control panel'.

I also use text help and Inspiration but these are for dyslexia - some colleges have them available on student computers. Agree with contacting college he should get funding for software, possibly a computer too.

Also can he touch type? Not easy with dyspraxia but a different keyboard could help.

you may have it on your computer search for speech recognition then all you need is headphones with a microphone.
I have used it in the past its pretty good when it understands you

Look into Dragon Naturally Speaking from Broderbund. It can be found online.

Also, have him talk to the college - they may be able to help him access it.

Thanks so much to you all for this guidance - incredibly helpful.

If you have a windows PC then dragon naturally speaking is the one, dragon dictate is for Mac. Both windows and Mac have some in built speech to text but dragon is market leader. It is the one most Uni students use if they need it.