A Parent's Guide to Getting Resources into Classrooms for Children with Learning Difficulties
Are you a parent of a child with ADHD, Dyslexia or learning challenges? Do you find yourself endlessly scrolling through blogs and websites, searching for tools to help your child succeed at school? Are you frustrated that your school doesn't have the resources to support your child?
With thousands of children diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia and other learning difficulties across Australia each year, we at Assistive Tech believe it's important, not just for parents to be aware of the resources available, but for the schools to take a active role in bringing these essential resources into the classroom.
What can you do to help?
The first step is to schedule a meeting with your child's teacher. Teachers are there to help and will often have first hand insights in to what works best in their classroom and school. Keep in mind that they are there to provide learning opportunities for every student in their class and they're not just there for your child. Take the opportunity to discuss your child's specific needs and if you have tools (e.g. text to speech scanning pens, Time Timers, Noise cancelling headphones) that work at home might help at school. Ask the teacher if the school already has access to similar resources or accommodations.
Work with the Learning Support Team, Occupational Therapist or School Counselor. Request a formal assessment (if one hasn’t been done). Ensure your child has an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) or equivalent. This often gives more weight to resource requests. Share research or case studies that show how certain tools improve learning outcomes for other students with similar learning difficulties.
Talk to the Principal or School Leadership. Advocate for broader access, not just for your child but for other students who may benefit. Ask about the school's budget for assistive technology or inclusion programs. Suggest pilot programs or free trials of tools you’ve researched.
Connect with other families in similar situations through school or online communities or even your school P&C. A group of parents advocating together is often more influential. You could propose a representations to the school requesting specific tools or training for teachers to support improved learning outcomes for all students. The P&C may even support the purchase of tools from their existing or new fundraising activities.
Work with the supports you have engaged outside school. Ask your child’s Psychologist, Speech Therapist, or Occupational Therapist to provide written recommendations. These documents can add credibility when requesting specific accommodations.
Engage with the School Executive or Education Department. If your school isn’t responsive, escalate the issue to the school executive or your state’s education department. Research local policies on inclusive education and quote them when advocating.
Support Teacher Training. Suggest or fundraise for professional development in assistive technology or neurodiversity inclusion. Share free online courses, webinars, or local events teachers could attend.
Always document your communications, meetings, and any promises made, it helps keep things clear and accountable.
Looking for Resources
At Assistive Tech we offer a range of resources that are ideal for school and home use. From our popular scanning pen that reads text aloud helps students with difficulties reading (including Dyslexia and ADHD) in decoding and comprehending written material, to our Time Timer Visual Timers that help to manage transitions and stay on task.
We also offer noise canceling headphones with Auracast to help students with sensory processing challenges, reducing auditory distractions in noisy environments whilst still being able to listen to instruction from class teachers using a Lapel Mic.
By integrating these kinds of tools, educators can provide tailored support that addresses the unique needs of students, fostering their academic success and well being.