Laptop grant wanted for my SEN dyslexia son.

SingleSue

If he needs one during lessons, there should be provision by the school for one to be borrowed during the time he is at school.

Eldest son had use of a laptop at school because of his dislocating fingers and hands made writing difficult (if not impossible) during lessons. He would pick up his school laptop first thing in the morning and return it at the end of the day. Any notes/homework etc would be emailed home to use on the shared family computer, or he would stay at school for homework club and do it there.

Failing that, is there a second hand computer shop nearby? You can get a basic but decent laptop for not too many pennies from one which should be adaquate for school work, some even (like Cash Converters), offer a plan whereby you put one by and pay it off over a period of weeks and once paid, you pick it up (so no finance or getting into debt over it).

FBaby

Because nowadays, most homework needs to be done on a computer. Of course, it doesn't have to be a laptop, it can be a good old pc, but I am finding that with two children in secondary school, they do need access to it almost every day. We don't have a pc any longer, DH and I went for our own laptop, but didn't expect that DS and DD would require one too.

DD got hers for Christmas last year and considering how often DS is asking to use mine, I think he really has reached the point where he needs his own.

The thing is, I don't really see why there should be grants available for children with learning difficulties when it is a need for all children, especially for children already receiving DLA. Even if DLA is used for something else (I very much doubt private assessments are required monthly), it can be budgeted for it.

My children have accepted that although it is a need for their coursework, it also a luxury, and therefore a Christmas present rather than something we buy in August along with normal school furnitures. Dd got a new laptop, but she got a very basic £300 one which does the job (which she's happy with).

I would have thought that if grants are available, they should be mean tested, including DLA rather than just provided on the basis of a child's disability.

pinkshoes

Our school provides a very basic typewriter style laptop for dyslexic kids who need help with their writing. It literally does typing only then the work can be printed.

Do you have a PC at home?

FreddieFrugal

HappySad wrote: »

My son is at upper school & has dyslexia, autism and ADHD. Do you know of any grants available to purchase a laptop? He needs it to use is the school lessons. Useful web links plus all ideas & information most welcome.

Thanks

By upper do you mean secondary school? If that's something that he needs, as in someone has identified that he would benefit from having a laptop to do his work on at school, then the specialist who recommended should have given some indication to you and the school about how to access the funding for it.

Normally the school would sort something like this out and the laptop would be kept in school for him to use.

So if in doubt you'd be best contacting the school and discussing it with the SEN coordinator.

If he NEEDS one to help support him due to his statemented needs, then that should be provided for him, but only if a professional has suggested that having a laptop would be beneficial.

C_Mababejive

#13 Homework has to be done on a computer?? Wow,,things have moved on. So what if you say to teach,,well i havent got a computer so i shall submit mine in written format?

When i was at school (big school) the first three years we were not permitted to use a biro. We had to use an ink pen with a knib. It could be cartridge or refillable (Quink !). This was to ensure that we developed our handwriting skills. We also had to study Latin for the first three years which i agree, is weird. There were no electronic devices in the class. The teacher simply taught, lapped the blackboard a few times,we hopefully absorbed and that was it.

Surely electronic devices simply encourage a lack of written skills and promote clickable plagiarism.

pollypenny

Surely it's something you should buy using the DLA. It's not as if they are that expensive now and it's part of your son's life.

FBaby

Their homework is set electronically. They access it on line and although some can be done in writing most of it includes printing Word documents and fill it in.

I don't know what kids without computers at home do. I am guessing they can access the computers at home after school hours bbut according to my kids all their friends have laptops or tablets of some sort and that includes kids whose parents are in low income.

peachyprice

C_Mababejive wrote: »

#13 Homework has to be done on a computer?? Wow,,things have moved on. So what if you say to teach,,well i havent got a computer so i shall submit mine in written format?

You've misunderstood. They need a computer to access homework programs in some subjects to be able to do the homework, particularly maths, there is no written format alternative.

My daughter's school runs homework clubs for those without access to a computer.

Mojisola

HappySad wrote: »

Useful web links plus all ideas & information most welcome.

Have a look at the fonts designed for dyslexics and also voice-activated software.