Dyslexia: which digital tools can help my child?
Digital technology has transformed the daily lives of children with dysorthographia. From advanced spell checkers to voice dictation software and gamified training apps, the tools available are numerous and increasingly sophisticated. Here is a selection of the most effective ones, organised by use.
Advanced spell checkers
Antidote is the most comprehensive spelling and grammar correction software available in French. It detects not only spelling mistakes but also grammatical errors, agreements, homophones and repetitions. Unlike the proofreading tool built into Word, it explains why a word is incorrect, which helps the child understand their errors rather than simply correcting them mechanically. It is an essential compensatory tool from CM1 onwards.
Voice dictation: bypassing writing when necessary
Voice dictation, natively built into iOS, Android and Windows, allows the child to dictate their answers orally rather than writing them down. This tool is particularly valuable for compositions and long written work, where the cognitive load linked to spelling exhausts the resources available for content. By dictating their ideas, the child can focus on the quality of their thinking.
Spelling training apps
Several apps make it possible to work on spelling in a playful and regular way. Bescherelle La Conjugaison offers interactive conjugation exercises. Orthographe Visuelle works on memorising words through images. Cordial Entraîneur offers progressive exercises adapted to the pupil’s level. These apps, used daily at home for 10 to 15 minutes, extend the effects of speech therapy sessions.
Text-to-speech for proofreading
Text-to-speech, which reads written text aloud, is a valuable tool for proofreading. By listening to their text rather than reading it visually, the child detects errors much more easily: misspelt words sound different from what they should be. This audio proofreading technique is often more effective than visual proofreading for children with dysorthographia.
Writing support tools
Tools such as CapiTen or Lexibar offer word banks, grammar reminders and word prediction systems that reduce the spelling burden when writing. These tools enable the child to produce longer and richer texts by focusing on content rather than form.
Choosing tools with the speech therapist
It is strongly recommended to choose digital tools in collaboration with the speech therapist who follows the child. This professional knows the child’s specific profile and knows which tools are best suited to their current needs. For a complete and regularly updated selection of digital tools for DYS children, dystap.io offers practical guides for families and professionals.
