As the parent of a dyslexic and dyspraxic child who uses a personal laptop and assistive software for all of her school/homework I thought it might help other parents to start a thread on this subject. The benefits we have found in using a laptop are: printed work can be easily read by the child, free software can be downloaded for proof reading, a child who has experienced repeated failure with handwriting often finds word processing motivational, word processing gives the child independence from a TA scribe, touch typing provides finger memories of spelling, using a keyboard improves fine motor control and the child gains self esteem and confidence as their computer skills develop. .
some dos and don’ts
A child with fine motor control difficulties would be unlikely to be able to touch type at speed for quite some time.
Do not accept slow touch typing speed as an excuse for the school to limit the amount that the laptop is used, stress the importance of your child being able to access the curriculum independently.
Do work with the school on a joint touch typing programme, but remember that to develop a fluent word processing style opportunities must be made available and encouraged within subject lessons and be part of their normal day to day recording.
Do arrange a meeting with the SENCo and have targets set for when and where the laptop will be used written into the IEP.
Do try to get the LEA to commission an ICT audit of your childs needs . Use the ICT report to secure you the schools permission and support for its use.
Do impress on the school how important it is that your child is given every opportunity to use their laptop at school even in the early days.
School staff or the childs TA should provide ongoing support for its use

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