Updated June 13, 2014.

Definition:

Many students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty with the process of writing. Sometimes the struggles are related to the mechanics of writing itself. Fine motor impairments can lead to messy, illegible handwriting. The speed at which the student writes might also be very slow and laborious. Frequent spelling errors can lead to further frustration. Just getting ones thoughts organized and down on paper can be quite a challenge for a student with ADHD.

Read more about writing problems common for students with ADHD

Luckily, there is assistive technology available to help provide support to students with writing difficulties. Dragon Naturally Speaking is one of the most popular of the voice-to-text software programs. The speech recognition software allows students to transfer their thoughts into written words. Students speak aloud into a microphone and their words appear on the computer screen.

The speech to text software is especially beneficial to students whose oral language skills are stronger than their writing skills. This type of assistive technology takes the focus off the mechanics of composition (handwriting, spelling, sentence structure) and frees up cognitive working space so it is easier to transfer ideas into written words.

To learn more about Dragon Naturally Speaking visit their website at: www.nuance.com/dragon

Additional Reading:
Strategies to Improve Writing Skills in Students With ADHD

Also Known As:

Dragon
Speech to Text Software
Voice to Text Software
Voice Recognition Software