Case study: How one assistive device is transforming learning for a teenage boy

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Aidan Lane, who is 14, finds reading hard. Diagnosed as a small child with dyspraxia, a condition that affects his coordination and processing ability, as well as facing significant speech and language difficulties, Aidan has had to overcome many challenges in his home and school life.

In school, Aidan receives additional help, but he often still struggles to keep up with the work set due to his reading challenges. This was especially difficult during the global pandemic when schooling was disrupted, and teachers were busier than ever supporting students both at home and in school.

Aidan’s new life with OrCam Learn

Katharine heard about the OrCam Learn device in mid-2022 and recognised that it could effectively guide Aidan through the challenges he faced in school and at home. Aidan has previously used assistive technology on his computer and in handheld form and found it to be hard to use and a frustratingly slow process, reading line by line.

Not one to accept mediocre assistive learning solutions, Aidan set his heart on the OrCam Learn and has been blown away by its ability to help him clearly and quickly read full pages of text from books, digital screens, and classroom handouts, something he’s struggled with for so long.

Aidan is now able to use the OrCam Learn to read his beloved Harry Potter books, code at home on his computer, and use it at school to help with his classwork. With the ability to operate offline, through the OrCam Learn’s dedicated Exam Mode, the solution is completely safe and appropriate to be used in exams and assignments throughout education settings. This allows Aidan to carry out exams independently without the need for a teaching assistant, boosting his confidence and minimising reliance on others.

Katharine said: “Aidan finds reading very tricky and now that he is at secondary level, his studies are significantly reliant on reading teachers’ instructions and then the research that has been linked to the task. Aidan is immediately at a disadvantage as he struggles to understand what is written, and therefore what is expected of him.

“The OrCam Learn has helped Aidan to promptly read the teachers’ instructions and the research linked to it – thereby enabling him to understand, undertake and successfully complete the tasks. Since using the OrCam Learn, Aidan has had a very glowing school report which strongly suggests that his abilities are further developing.”

Aidan’s teacher’s perspective

Aidan’s tutor and science teacher has remarked that the OrCam Learn is perfect for him, enabling Aidan to independently work and complete tasks to a high standard.

His English teacher has also said that Aidan has been able to access texts and complete tasks with no help. He views this as a highly positive development for Aidan in him being able to move forward and progress in his school career.

Aidan concludes: “I am able to do schoolwork by myself now! And I can read a whole book through and enjoy it, on my own. The OrCam Learn is great – and dependable.”

Learn all you need to know about our OrCam Learn.