Speech-to-Text on IEP for Dyslexia

This video is about the benefits of Speech-to-text and common concerns with using it.

Main Benefits of writing with speech-to-text for children with Dyslexia.
1. A Child Can Express Ideas Freely- they will be able to keep up with their thoughts better
2. A Child Can Use Large Words- without worrying about spelling or effort of writing it
3. Increases Confidence- they can keep up with their classmates and be proud of their work
4. Increases Motivation- they believe they can do the assignment

Teachers and administrators have told me they don't think my child will learn to write with a pencil if he uses speech-to-text. However, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, form, etc are all learned through instruction and practice. Speech-to-text allows a student with dyslexia and ADHD to have MANY TIMES MORE PRACTICE than they would have without it. This experience will transfer over when they write with pencils and pens.

My Speech-to-Text Accommodation Analogy
If a child has a serious knee injury (knee injury = dyslexia) they will need crutches (crutches = cloze sentence frames, traditional writing accommodations, etc) for walking short distances (short writing tasks). They will also need regular physical therapy exercises with a specialist (practicing writing with Special Ed teacher in RSP or learning center). They will probably need to do exercises at home too (writing for fun at home in a journal, comics, letters, etc).

If they are going to walk a long distance, like a mile to the store (write a paragraph, essay or story) we would not send them off on their crutches, but let them ride in the car (use speech-to-text). It might be too fatiguing otherwise.

Over time they will improve and no longer need to crutches. They will be able to walk long distances without a car. They will probably prefer to drive even as they become adults (will probably still prefer speech-to-text) but, they CAN walk if they need to. (They will be able to write with pen and paper if they need to.)

If we were to just make them walk on their crutches every day to the store for many years, they would probably learn to HATE walking long distances (writing). They wouldn't want to go on long walks for fun. They would avoid it at all costs. ....You get the idea.