AlphaSmart writers?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2006
AlphaSmart writers?
3
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 1:10pm

Hi. does anyone with grade school aged children (and up) use an alphasmart keyboard, or other similar item, for your fine motor-challenged children?

It was suggested by my son's school, and I thought perhaps over the summer we'd have time to get him up and running on one before he starts 3rd grade (with an aba tech beside him).

I work 3 days a week, and I'm trying to locate an aba tech looking for work for hte summer... then that can be their job too! that would be great, since they know how to manage all the stuff!

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions welcome. Thanks!

Nicole

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 2:02pm

Hi,
My son, Sravan (4th grader) struggled to write up until 3rd grade. Then we purchased an used alphasmart (dana) and he is very happy to write now. THe other he commented that his writing skills have blossomed so well after he started using AlphaSmart. I was completely shocked to get such comment from my son, who will do anything to get out of writing. He even said he is working towards getting a 5+ (rubric scale) on his essay. So my fingers are still crossed and I hope continues to feel this way.

Good luck with everything,
Anandhi

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2006
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 2:08pm

Anandhir:

Thanks for the feedback. Is the Dana a better selection over the Neo? I know it is higher priced, is it the functionality or compatability that is preferential over the Neo? The cost difference is 100, with the Dana being more expensive.

Sorry, you may now know any of these answers, but just wondered if you opted for the Dana for a specific functionality purpose.

I'm glad to hear your son has positive self-esteem/confidence because of this and is raising his goals independently! I would hope for the exact same thing from my son!

Best wishes,

Nicole

Avatar for betz67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-25-2007 - 10:29pm

my oldest son used the Alphasmart (don't know which model) from 3rd grade through 8th grade. He even used it to take notes in class. He has dysgraphia and ADD. It was a godsend for him through elementary school and was good in middle school as well. This year he's in high school and it's not cool to have one, but he's doing ok. He's learned to do basic outlines for notes and the fill it in on the computer when he gets home. He does all his homework that involves writing on the computer. His keyboarding speed is much much higher than his handwriting speed. He still doesn't love to write but now I think it's more about the subject matter than the difficulties w/ writing he used to have.

OH, and ours was provided by the OT therapy at school. We just had to buy the cable that hooked it up to our PC. This was the case in our schools in Wisconsin and here in SC as well.

Betsy