Useful apps and online tools for dyslexia

DSA software - if you have it, use it.

If you get Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) for your ADHD, you will probably have been given some useful study skills software. If you aren't sure how it works, email us at nmhsupport@fxplus.ac.uk 

The apps and tools below are free or freemium.

 

AudioPen - (Web and Chrome extension.) Free with paid add-on. Converts voice notes into concise, structured writing.

Ayoa - (Web.) Free with paid add-on. Mind mapping tool.

Immersive Reader (Within Microsoft Office) Hear text read out loud, change the background colour and apply a reading ruler. 

Dictation in Microsoft (Within Microsoft Office) Dictate in Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. 

Natural Reader Online (Web and Chrome extension.) Free with paid add-on. Paste text or drag and drop files (including pdfs) to hear them read out loud. Highlighting and other features.

Otter.ai  - (Web/iOS/Android/Chrome extension.) Free with paid add-on. Records and transcribes speech.

Grammarly - (Web/iOS/Android/Chrome extension.) Free with paid add-on. Checks spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Alarmed - (iOS only). Free with paid add-ons. Set reminders and alarms, with repeats and notes. Has a useful 'Nag Me' feature.

Microsoft To Do - (iOS and Android/web/Windows). Free. Create lists with due dates, reminders, repeats and added files. Integrates with Outlook.

Momentum - (Chrome extension). Free with paid add-ons. Add to-do lists to your screen, along with inspirational photos and quotes.

Trello - (Web.) Free with paid add-ons. Create boards with task cards which you can move around. Add links, files, lists and reminders to cards then archive when you are done. Collaborate with others.

Notion - (iOS and Android/web/Windows/Mac). Free with paid add-ons. Use it to take notes, add calendars and to-do lists, upload media and collaborate with others.

Forest - (iOS/ Android/Mac/Chrome Extension). Small cost. Beat addiction to your phone by planting a virtual seed and watching it grow into a tree.

Focusmate - (web). Three free sessions a week with paid option for more. Book a 50-minute co-working session online, where you say hi, tell each other what you are working on then work. Or, try Study 1 on 1 on Discord.

myNoise - (web). Free. Huge range of customisable, immersive soundscapes to enhance focus, relaxation and sleep.

Pomodoro apps - (various). Free or small cost. Maximise concentration by encouraging you to work in bursts with short breaks in between.

LeechBlock - (Chrome Extension). Free. Block or limit the time you spend on time-wasting websites. 

 

Visor - (Chrome extension.) Free. Virtual reading ruler for your screen.

Just Read - (Chrome extension.) Free with paid add-on. Declutter a web page, delete unwanted sections and customise font size and background colour for easier reading.

OpenDyslexic - (Downloadable font.) Free. A font designed to improve readability for dyslexics.