Tech Recommendations for GCSE/Dyslexic

[Porridgewithnuts]

DS is starting her GCSE courses in Y10 this September and I am looking at how he can use tech to help get organised, learn, do prep and revise. He's at boarding school and keeping on top of prep and coursework has been a challenge.

He is dyslexic and organisation is not a strong point, but it is improving (very slowly...) 😂

He has an iPad and keyboard. His school use Google classroom and Docs. He did have a laptop, but prefers the iPad. I'm keen to create a workflow / set of tools that he can use to make life easier.

What tech do your kids use and how do they organise themselves? Do they use a Notes app? Scan worksheets and annotate them? How do they keep track of what work they have been set? He uses a to-do list, but it's not very helpful as he tends to have several on the go. I keep hearing about assistive tech such as text to speech and mindmap apps, but at the moment don't know where to start.

Any advice or recommendations would be hugely helpful. Thank you.

DD also going into Y10 and dyslexic - and also much prefers an iPad with keyboard to a laptop.

I have installed Office 365 and grammarly for her.

An e-pen is handy - then they can photograph things and annotate.

Depending on what the specifics of the dyslexia are (DD has issues with working memory, is a slow reader and spelling is almost entirely phonetic - she's v high IQ but the dyslexic is on the severe end), he might find speech to text software or a reading pen useful.

DD uses notes and voice notes a lot.

I have bought all the revision books for each course and have been teaching her how to make revision cards. Small chunks of information at any one time are much more successful than pages of dense text. It has meant that I've had to step in and make a lot of the cards for her as she gets a bit overwhelmed by where to start.

YouTube videos also v useful for things like science. Because of the working memory issues she needs to see things over and over to get them into long-term memory, so videos are great for that.

All homework is set by school on an App so that has been a huge help - it tells her what she has to do, links to any videos, tests or docs and she can upload the finished homework direct to the teacher. It also emails me so I know what has been set and when it's due and emails with reminders and to confirm when homework is completed (App is called Satchel).

We also have Go4Schools through school that has timetables, reports and behaviour points - she doesn't seem to use that much, but my parent log-in means I can check she's got the right things for the timetable.

She has ADHD (ADD mainly) as well so executive function is not a strong point! Tech has been a life saver - both the school apps and having calendars. I have all her email accounts on my laptop as well, so I can remind her and make sure things aren't forgotten (they definitely would be). Yep I have to put in a lot of extra work at my end compared with the amount I would with an NT non-SEN child, but she does seem to gradually get more adept at taking things on, and it saves getting in a mess.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow Wow, thank you for such a helpful response. Your DD sounds uncannily similar to my DS. He has just been diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type, which we are just getting used to. He feels quite relieved as he does have trouble getting organised. But also the same profile in other ways - he is a v slow reader, spells phonetically and has a very poor working memory (3rd percentile). I don't know what his IQ is, but he is bright and sparky and full of ideas.

I think you are the Mum I need to become! 😂😂 I do a lot to help him with his maths, reading and typing but haven't really got onto the other academic subjects of organisation. I am very similar and can only organise myself on paper (I love a well organised file) and using Mac products. The Google thing is all new to me. I know I am going to put in the extra support that other children may not need. One of the biggest things is keeping their belief going that they can achieve and get there. We've started reading the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens - it's a bit cheesy / American. We've been focussing on the School section and self belief is a huge part of this. DS is lapping it up!!!

All of your info has been so helpful and I read your reply with DS and we started to make a list. I've got some questions that I'd love to ask.

• How does she use the Notes app and voice reminders? Does she make notes during lessons? How does she file this so she can find them later when going back over a topic. Retrieving files and knowing what is on there has been a stumbling block for us both. This is why I love paper, as you can't forget. I know tech is the way ahead though...
• Do you make physical flash cards? How much info do you put on each and how do organise them? Can she read your writing or do you print them?
• What epen does she have?
• Totally agree about going over stuff again and again. We have signed up for mygcsescience and trying to get on with audiopi app (can't seem to pay for that). DS needs to use these himself though, not just with me... He loves Corbett Maths materials and happily works through their revision cards / videos.
• I had a quick look at Satchel yesterday and not sure if we need a school account first. I will have a proper look over the weekend. He def needs something that will send him reminders (outside Apple reminders).
• We've got a couple of the books, but I am going to get them all. Also a big A3 art pad for each subject so he can make mindmaps.

Oh Crumbs, I really, really appreciate your reply - great to know there is someone in a similar boat and hear about all the things that can help. Thank you. 🌺