Back to School Supplies - Must Have Back to School Supplies for Special Ed.

• Electronic dictionaries are a great way to help your child learn spelling and definitions of words. The Franklin Children's Talking Dictionary & Spell Corrector is an economically priced option. Franklin also makes a less expensive model that does not include the talking feature called the HW1216 Children's Speller & Dictionary
• Merriam Webster's Elementary Dictionary has both text definitions and illustrations which are helpful to improve comprehension and memory.
• Illustrated specialty dictionaries are available in a number of subjects such as chemistry and science.

Computers can be helpful tools for students with learning disabilities.  However, there are important considerations to ponder before making that purchase:

• Has your child had an assistive technology evaluation?  Find tips on choosing the right assistive technology. 
• Does your child type, or does keyboarding frustrate him and slow him down?
• Is your child a candidate for text reading, word prediction, and writing assistance software?
• Have you talked with your child's special education teacher to determine if an at-home computer is an appropriate support for your child?

Compare Prices on Computers and Related Technology Devices:

• Laptop Computers
• Text Reading Devices
• Kindle
• Scanning Reading Pens  Read a Wizcom reading pen review.

Choosing the right writing utensils involves some thought.  Pencils that are too hard require more pressure and may cause writing fatigue for students with fine motor weaknesses.  Pencils that are too soft may smear and make writing difficult to read. The same is true for pens.  Some ultra fine point pens can tear paper.  Ask your child's teacher what the best grade of pencil or type of pen is most appropriate for your child.  Alternately, try some different types at home and get your child's opinion on what works best.

Compare Prices on Pens, Pencils, and Other Writing Products:

• Pencils and Pens with Grippers
• Colored Pencils and Graphite Pencils
• Crayons
• Markers

Calculators are hotly contested.  If you don't get one for a child with learning disabilities in basic math skills, are you causing frustration?  If you do, are you actually preventing your child to learn to do calculations independently?  Fortunately, as the parent of a special education child, you get to be a part of the decision on what types of accommodations your child receives.  His teachers can help you look at his progress data in math and determine whether a calculator would be helpful.

Compare Prices on Calculators:

• Children's Calculators
• High Tech Calculators and Adding Machines