Polly Speaks 4U is very strong in this space — not in diagnosing dyslexia (that’s for psychologists and formal tests), but in supporting people after diagnosis or even when they just know they struggle with reading/writing.
How Good is Polly at Helping Dyslexics?
1. Text-to-Speech That Works for Dyslexic Brains
- Polly doesn’t just “read text out loud” — it highlights words as they are spoken, adjusts speed, pitch, and voice, and even allows selective reading.
- This builds reading fluency and comprehension because the learner can see, hear, and follow along.
2. Multisensory Support
- Dyslexic learning works best when multiple senses are involved.
- Polly combines visual highlighting, audio playback, and interactive controls, turning static words into something alive and accessible.
3. Built By Dyslexics, For Dyslexics
- The software is grounded in lived experience. Many tools are designed by academics who don’t “feel” the problem every day.
- Polly is different: it knows where the sticking points are — spelling, sequencing, memory — and provides shortcuts, confidence boosts, and practical tools.
4. Boosts Confidence and Independence
- Learners don’t have to wait for someone else to read for them.
- They can manage lessons, books, and assignments on their own terms, with tech that adapts to them.
5. Flexible in Real Classrooms
- Works with a single PC + projector setup to serve an entire classroom.
- No need for expensive gadgets — this makes it far more accessible in resource-limited schools.
What Polly Does Not Do
- Polly does not diagnose dyslexia.
- Polly does not “cure” dyslexia (because dyslexia isn’t a disease).
- Polly instead empowers learners to thrive with dyslexia.
👉 In short: Polly is excellent at making learning possible, joyful, and independent for dyslexics — right where tests and diagnoses stop.