APPS FOR KIDS WITH DYSLEXIA

Reading, writing and comprehending words was an invention of man; our brains were never designed for that. Learning to read and write requires an extra ordinary effort whether you have learning disability or not. In other words, the brain is tasked to shift from the normal pattern or process, however, a kid without dyslexia can easily adapted to the new process which is learning to read and write, the kid with dyslexia requires a suitable method to adjust.

Children who are just starting to read would love an app with a read aloud and highlighting features which enables them to track words and sounds. Children can start with the Endless Alphabet app.

Endless Alphabet is an app that helps connect sounds to letters and then tell kids what the words mean, it also has a fun looking animations that help kids understand the meaning of words and definitions. EA features a vast vocabulary that is constantly updated so that kids can continually return and learn new words.

Starfall Learn to Read app does a great job of highlighting letters, sounds and words as children read many books. Moving from letter sounds and words, connecting them to text thereby providing a sequential approach that is valuable for children with learning issues. The mix of animation illustration, filling the black games, songs and videos are highly motivating and will help engage young readers especially the ones with attention issues.

Monkey Word School Adventure app helps children to trace letters, go through mazes, explore new words and more. The emphasis on letter formation and spellings are particularly helpful for children learning to read or having reading issues. It also adjust each child skill level, providing a customized experience designed to keep kids challenged but not frustrated. The animal focus graphics keep kids motivated to continue mastering their reading skills and the engaging game features to promote success for kids with attention issues.

Bookshare is a terrific app and a free online library that enables one to download over 300,000 books that they can listen to as they follow along with the text on their phones, tablets or computers.

Finally, the recommended app will do a terrific job in helping kids improve their reading skills but parents also need to engage their kids by reading fun and engaging books to them. You can also visit techfinder tools to check for more apps.

REFERENCES AND LINKS

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S_uCIOfSmc&list=PL0Kjy0JtEbaTwV11xWYtnNTe5S6wqj_vS&index=10&t=0s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrF6m1mRsCQ&list=PL0Kjy0JtEbaTwV11xWYtnNTe5S6wqj_vS&index=6&t=0s

DYSLEXIA - Traits and behaviors (1)

According to Ben Arikpo, the chairperson, Board of Trustees, Dyslexia Foundation Nigeria, it is assumed that over 32 million Nigerians are struggling with dyslexia, a learning disorder that includes reading, composition, spelling and comprehension difficulties. This issue appears worse in Nigeria because most parents and teachers are unaware of this disorder, thereby leaving those affected into a terrible state of mind.

Here are some few traits and behaviours of dyslexics.

• High in IQ, yet may not fare well academically; tests well orally, but not written.
• Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and not excited about school reading or testing.
• Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, storytelling, business, designing, building, or engineering.
• Difficulty sustaining attention; seems “hyper” or “daydreamer.”
• Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids.

These are just few traits and behaviours of dyslexics, I intend to explore more in my next article and share some of my experiences as a dyslexic.

REFERENCES

• https://www.dyslexia.com
• https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-news/290048-32-million-nigerians-struggle-with-learning-disorder-foundation.html

DYSLEXIA - Your Advantage!

I have recently listened to the IGP’s speech in Kano and I was amazed at the responses of people. I guess a lot of people are still not aware about the word Dyslexia. It is also known as reading disorder and it is characterized by trouble with reading despite normal intelligence. * Different people with these symptoms are affected in diverse form, which could include difficulties in spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, sounding out words in the head, pronouncing words when reading aloud and understanding what one reads. This could be familial or environmental.

The problem with our society today is that people associate fluency with intelligence, forgetting that intelligence is what makes the real world. The school systems, most especially in the developing world, are not helping matters.  In my former days at school, I experienced serious issues trying to memorize and see the meaning of language. My worst nightmare was when I had to read a passage aloud in front of my fellow students, I still have those difficulties today, but it is a lot better than my elementary and secondary school days. I have improved because I found a better method of reading, thanks to the internet, audio books, documentaries and other learning materials that simplifies reading.

The Gift - Dyslexia

I grew up surrounded by books; my home was like a miniature national library. My father’s collection was vast—everything from the African Writers Series to entire sets of encyclopedias and so much more. From an early age, I was determined to read every book on those shelves. But reality quickly humbled me. I couldn’t seem to absorb information the way everyone else did. At first, I thought maybe the problem was that these books were for adults, and as I grew older, I would somehow adjust. But that adjustment never came easily.

It took every ounce of determination to finish my first novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The journey spanned 166 days—about one page per day. That first victory was hard-won, but it taught me the value of perseverance. Today, I’ve read several novels and encyclopedias at a pace I consider average—though I’m far from finishing everything in my father’s collection.

Elementary school was a different battlefield altogether. While I vividly remember experiences from those early years, that strength in memory didn’t translate into reading comprehension or academic performance. I relied heavily on the explanations and expressions of my teachers. If a teacher wasn’t engaging or clear, I struggled.

Math was another beast I wrestled with, particularly the multiplication tables. Nobody ever explained the why behind them—why 3 x 3 equals 9 or 4 x 4 equals 16. A simple concept, like adding the same number repetitively, could have made all the difference back then. It wasn’t until much later, under the guidance of my high school teacher, Mr. Osidipe, that I discovered math wasn’t the monster I had thought. His teaching style was so effective that I still remember those lessons as if they happened yesterday.

Outside the classroom, I flourished in social activities like drama and music. But there were still obstacles to overcome. When I joined the Boy Scouts, things took a frustrating turn. We were drilled on basic commands: “Turn left! Turn right!” But I discovered that I couldn’t differentiate between my left and right. The confusion was overwhelming, and the unsympathetic coordinator made it worse, dismissing me as someone who should “know better” at my age. I dropped out, feeling defeated. I had no idea back then that my struggles were connected to dyslexia. I thought I was simply bad at everything.

That belief began to shift when I joined the Boys’ Brigade at my local church. Mr. Kayode, our commandant, was a game-changer. He noticed my struggles but never dismissed me. Instead, he invested in me, providing one-on-one training and patiently guiding me until I could distinguish my left from my right. Under his mentorship, I learned a lesson that reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell’s '10,000-Hour Rule' from Outliers—the idea that mastery comes from deliberate practice. Whether it was the Beatles mastering music or Bill Gates programming computers, success came from persistence, not instant talent.

Living with dyslexia has been challenging, but it has also shaped me in unexpected ways. It’s taught me that success is not confined to academic achievement. We all have unique paths to follow, and those paths are often paved with passion and creativity. Some people thrive not in traditional classrooms but in places where they can dance, cook, design, tell stories, or create art. These are no longer just hobbies; they’ve become thriving careers.

While academic pursuits are undoubtedly valuable, the ultimate key to success lies in finding what you’re passionate about—and mastering it. For me, that journey has been as much about perseverance as discovery, filled with moments of failure, patience, and growth. Dyslexia hasn’t exempted me from success. It’s simply pointed me in a direction where creativity and determination are my greatest assets."