With all the pressure to reduce screen time, monitor social media, and keep our children protected from the depths of the internet, Technology has gotten a pretty bad rep in the parenting world. However, for many families, technology can be the tool they need to help unlock a world of accessibility for their child. Children with learning differences, executive functioning delays, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. have started using these 3 simple tools, that you probably already own, to “level the playing field” and use technology to help them succeed, with independence.
1. Amazon Alexa – Alexa can help children in so many ways. The biggest life changer for my family was setting a morning routine to prompt them to get ready independently. We also use Alexa to read audiobooks, help with spelling, find definitions of words, set reminders, and keep to-do lists. – Amazon Alexa Echo Dot – $49.99
2. Cell Phones- Keeping to-do lists at their fingertips is a huge benefit of a cell phone. Along with that is the ability to have a calculator on hand for quick math, or google to help with spelling. Apps like Life360 allow children and parents to see each other’s GPS locations, a wonderful tool for a child who may have forgotten where mom was going for the day or a mother that wants to make sure their child has made it home for school. – Tracfone as low as $15 for phone & $15 prepaid monthly service
3. Chromebook – Chromebooks have the ability to be loaded with talk-to-text or text-to-speech software. These types of software make it much easier for a child with learning differences to comprehend or express their work without getting bogged down sounding out words or trying to spell. – Dell Chromebook – $89.00
Three simple tools, easily purchased from Amazon or a big box store, can make the world of difference for a child with a learning difference or a disability in gaining the independence that their peers already have.
Isn’t it one of the biggest jobs as a parent to teach our children to be independent by adulthood? It’s one of mine.
Don’t you use your technology to set reminders or do math calculations? I sure do.
Just Mommin Around 