Apps and programmes to help with learning disabilities

[tryingtodotherightthing]

I thought I must share this and I hope others can benefit from our experience. DD3 (now 9) has a diagnosis of dyslexia and dyspraxia and was falling badly behind in maths, as she doesn't like writing and her books looked depressingly scruffy. She can't recite times tables and was weak on number bonds. We have been using IXL since March and I am honestly so impressed. I have tried so many things over the years to support all three DDs (all dyslexic), and this has proved itself.

1. it builds skill at a level that is right for the child. So we are working through Year 5 work in general but Year 3 for telling the time.

2, I have organisational difficulties of my own (there's a surprise) and unless I lose the iPad I can't mess this up and I can keep track of what she's achieving well. 3: it always looks clean and neat, and it can't be torn up in a temper. I sometimes do the writing and entering, DD does the thinking.

1. It is always possible to find something appealing to work on. Sick of division? The whole National Curriculum is there, so you can choose just about anything.
2. It is very good value (under £60 a year for one child) esp compared to the cost of a 1:1 tutor.
3. It uses the latest technology in ways that enhance learning. So, unlike Kumon, where you drill at a whole paper at a time and which can drive a bright dyslexic to despair, in IXL you answer one question at a time. If you get it wrong, it immediately explains why, and takes you back a couple of stages to where you were getting things right. If it's right, one word of praise, and a little game board of rewards.
4. It offers truly personalised learning, and the trick is to pitch it at exactly the point of rewarding challenge, so they say "aha!" We look forward to our sessions together, which I could never say for the years of Kumon.
5. Practice is obviously helpful in building fluency, but this makes it so much more interesting that it doesn't feel like mindless drilling and repetition.

Much more to say about it and happy to answer any questions. It isn't perfect: it is a US programme with some glitches in its translation to the UK NC, but these are minor. And no, I am not on commission!