Education Technology is making a difference for children and young people with additional needs

Assistive learning technology provides a magical gateway into fun and learning for our children with special educational needs and disabilities. Whether a child needs help with writing, listening, reading or arithmetic, smart tablets and apps can help. They compensate by introducing an accessible world of information, education and fun to youngsters who find traditional learning aids too challenging to manage either at home or school.

Difficulty Reading
One key to learning is confidence. A child that has dyslexia and difficulty reading may be discouraged. But, they can discover a new and empowering way to understand storytelling simply by using educational tech which is designed to enable them to understand narratives through more visual and interactive means.

Challenging Behaviour
Challenging behaviours take many forms. A child may be passive, confrontational or demand avoidant. The great thing about interactive screens is that they can be carried anywhere, enabling parents to work on their kids’ education whenever they are at their most relaxed and receptive. Damage resistant silicone bumpers protect delicate hardware from damage.

Sensory Needs
What may seem like a stimulating environment to an adult can feel threatening to a sensory defensive young person. People coming and going, ambient noise, bright lights, an unwelcome hand on the shoulder, all become too much to handle. Picking up a familiar tablet and plugging in the headphones to listen to music or play a learning game can become a useful safety net and tool to manage overwhelming feelings.

Attention Deficit
Focusing and listening issues can be tackled by drawing the learner’s attention to the bright colours and moving images on a smart tablet they can hold in their own hand. Learning software engages the user and encourages them to interact rather than remain passive which increases focus and makes them less likely to wander.

Communication issues
Communication problems can be minimized when a child learns to relate to others using their tablet and communication software. It might not be easy to tell a teacher how you are feeling, but if you can tap and point to a simple emoticon you are already on your way.
Whatever the learning difficulty a small portable device that is easy to learn and operate is a wonderfully useful aid to progress. Whether it is used at school, at home, or out and about, parents and teachers can rely on it to help children explore learning and discover new skills