Writing Tools and Adaptations

Computers and software can provide flexible, supportive models and environments for all writers, and are a must for emergent and early writers who have disabilities. Technology can support and prompt young authors to engage and increase their writing productivity, and can help them to produce attractive, sophisticated products in print or digital formats. The following are suggested tools for supporting emergent and early writers.

Word Processing and Presentation Software

Typical programs can be very useful for many student writers with or without support (e.g., a white board or word bank), changes in setting (e.g., large fonts), or to be used with other special software (e.g., word prediction or screen readers). Teachers can create templates and students or teachers can add graphics, photos, and for some, sounds and animations.

  • MS Word
  • Appleworks
  • MS Powerpoint

Software for "Talking Word Processors"

As students type, the computer reads each letter, then each word and then each sentence aloud.

  • Write: OutLoud (Don Johnston)
  • Writing with Symbols (Boardmaker)

Word Prediction Software

As students type, computer software "guesses" the word they are attempting to spell (using syntactic and spelling clues). A list of possible words is offered. Students can scan the list and click on the whole word or enter its list number and the complete word will be entered into the text. Some programs include a read aloud feature so that students can "hear" each word read to them. (Or a screen reader that is enabled can read words aloud as well.)

  • Co-Writer (Don Johnston)
  • Skippy
  • Quillsoft-Word-Q

 Planning Software for Organizing Ideas Before Writing

These programs allow the writer to create graphic organizers (which can switch to outline format with a click) to organize and recall ideas before writing (or speaking). Some include graphics libraries and can also import graphics or photos. Graphic organizers, outlines and text can be exported to a word processing program.

  • Kidspiration (includes built in read aloud feature) 
  • Inspiration
  • Draft Builder (Don Johnston)

Software with Whole Word Writing Capabilities

Students can compose sentences by entering whole words with one click on a word or graphic rather than entering words letter-by-letter.

  • Writing with Symbols
  • Classroom Suite (Intellitools)

Hardware Adaptations

  • Adapted keyboards (Intellitools)
  • Adapted switches for mouse clicks and scanning/selection
  • Touch screens
  • Adapted mouse or trackball
  • Alphasmart (portable keyboard with small screen and memory for word processing)

Low Tech Tools and Adaptations for Writing

  • White board to present choices, word banks for shared writing
  • Chairs and desks that fit the student and allow for good positioning
  • Pencil grips
  • Various writing tools (e.g., pencils, pens, markers, crayons, chalk, Magna doodle)
  • Paper with raised lines
  • Non slip matting for placing under papers ("Dycem")
  • Slant boards