android jelly bean update

We’re saying “good-bye” to October and LD Awareness Month. At the same time, we’re also concluding the busiest month in our company’s history! More Reading Focus Cards were ordered by parents, teachers and catalog distributors in the past month than in any other month on record for Brennan Innovators. There is increasing evidence that many children, teens AND adults continue to struggle with reading.

For this reason, we thought we would begin this month’s articles with one that includes resources for a variety of challenged readers. Because we receive many requests for Android tech resources to help these readers, we are providing here a current and sizable list of Android apps for struggling readers of various age groups.

From the many parent phone calls, emails and orders we receive for our research-based Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759), most involve a request or concern for a young, challenged reader that is between the ages of 8 and 11 years. As stated in a previous article in this blog, prior to this age range, children are “learning to read”. From age 8 or 9, children are “reading to learn” and must utilize skills (hopefully developed earlier) to learn the content and information presented via printed media. However, if those reading skills have not been developed properly---or at all, focusing and tracking issues can be just two of the ramifications. For this reason, the first resource listed below here should be helpful to some of these readers (Apps (Android) by Bugbrained---from AppsZoom.com)

The other links provided here may be helpful to other age groups. The second resource listed will provide an extensive list of some of the very best Android apps for challenged readers in various age levels, including those for adults. Many resources throughout the listing are FREE.

We hope that what is provided here will help you or someone you know who struggles daily to read with more success. Happy reading---EVERYONE!

BEST Android Apps for Struggling Readers

Apps (Android) by Bugbrained---from AppsZoom.com
Reading apps for children (up to & including the Grade 3 reading level)
http://www.appszoom.com/android_developer/bugbrained_cmcef.html

100+ Top Apps for Struggling Readers (Android)---from AppCrawlr
Excellent listing of the top 100+ Android apps for challenged readers of all ages
http://appcrawlr.com/android-apps/best-apps-struggling-readers

Blackberry Playbook and BB10 Android Apps---from Good e-Reader
Good e-Reader has over 6,000 apps and games for Blackberry 10 and the Playbook. Download the latest BAR Files for Blackberry 10 and the Playbook
http://apps.goodereader.com/playbook/playbook-android-apps/?did=348

FREE Kindle App for Android Devices---from Amazon (NO Kindle device required!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=165849822 (via Amazon.com + FREE e-book links!)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?hl=en&id=com.amazon.kindle (via Google Play Store link)

Go Read (Android)---from Bookshare
A FREE, accessible e-book reader for people with print disabilities; based on the open-source FBReader project.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.benetech.android&hl=en

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: techradar.phones at http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/70-best-free-android-apps-2013-687252 and Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

We at Brennan Innovators continue to receive many requests for information about tools to help struggling readers of all ages with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and other focusing challenges that impact reading success. Periodically, we publish articles about such tools as this is the main focus of our business and its philosophy (please pardon the pun!)

Since our last article on this topic in late 2012, there have been even more resources made available to help both children and adults with ADHD and dyslexia challenges. Currently, we can see the great rush in the marketplace of assistive apps developed for those with these struggles. In addition, there are a few more low-tech tools that can help increase focus, promote more organization, improve reading concentration as well as comprehension and much more.

Today’s article will provide our readers with an updated list of both low-tech and high-tech tools for ADHD, dyslexia, and other reading and learning challenges. We hope this list of resources will give you some new options to improve the quality of life for you, your child or another adult you know who might benefit.

Cool Tools for ADHD & Dyslexia

Dragon Dictation: This is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon® NaturallySpeaking® that allows an individual to easily speak and then instantly see text or email messages. It can be up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard. This voice-activated software transcribes words into Microsoft Word documents.

Exercise Balls: Some individuals with focusing challenges like to sit on an exercise ball while working at a desk. It can enable one to move around while still staying seated, which helps with focusing. Sensory and kinesthetic learners can be “soothed” into focusing with this tool that is more like a piece of soft furniture.

Reading Focus Cards: At this writing, thousands of the Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759) are in use by children and adults both in the U.S. and across the globe. These tools help to improve focus by isolating 1 or 2 lines of text AND blocking out more surrounding text than any other reading device available. They can be used in various sizes of books with any text line lengths. In addition, now the Reading Focus Cards can even be used with e-readers (shorter Reading Focus Card for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc.) and with e-tablets (longer RFC for iPad or Android tablets, etc.)

Google Calendar: A FREE electronic calendar that allows a user to reduce prioritizing dilemmas, time management issues and motivation hiccups. Follow the plan entered into this e-calendar just like many working professionals and executives with ADHD.

Alarm Apps: Many individuals with ADHD very often tend to hyperfocus on certain tasks. Because of this, they can have a rough time sticking to and maintaining a schedule. Sometimes, an “alarm” app can be used to break up or interrupt the flow of activity. There are many different types of alarm apps from which to choose. One app often recommended is AlarmDroid, which has many additional features for Android devices. (It is recommended that one also install "Rings extended" with this app.) For iOS platform devices, you might try HomeRoutines.

Resources for These ADHD & Dyslexia Cool Tools

Dragon Dictation
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

Exercise Balls---Prices vary and are available from Pacific Pediatric Supply
Plain ball: http://www.pacificpediatricsupply.com/category/Hopping.html
Tactile ball: http://www.pacificpediatricsupply.com/product/SK7412.html

Google Calendar---FREE
https://www.google.com/calendar/render?pli=1&gsessionid=zoUetPCl2f9WE-G5WZuEWA

AlarmDroid App---FREE
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.splunchy.android.alarmclock

HomeRoutines App---$4.99
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homeroutines/id353117370?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Evernote App---FREE (Premium Version: $4.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Other Related Resources

Apps for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities (FREE & various prices)-Article and updated app list from the University of Michigan
http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/apps

Tools That Make It Easier to Manage ADHD-Article by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/these-photos-will-make-your-stomach-drop012/10/24/tools-that-make-it-easier-to-manage-adhd/

BEST Tools for Dyslexia-Related blog article from Help for Struggling Readers
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2012/11/best-tools-for-dyslexia_10.html

Press Release - Patented ADHD Reading Tools Can Help ALL Kinds of Readers
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/patented-adhd-reading-tools-can-help-all-kinds-readers

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC