AI Supporting Students With Disabilities In Schools

AI is transforming education for students with disabilities, offering tailored tools that enhance learning and provide independence.

For 14-year-old Makenzie Gilkison, who has dyslexia, AI-powered tools like chatbots, word prediction programs, and text-to-speech software have played a crucial role in overcoming challenges with reading and writing, as reported today by the AP.

These technologies have allowed her to focus on comprehension instead of struggling with spelling. “I would have just probably given up if I didn’t have them,” said Makenzie, who now excels academically and was recently named to the National Junior Honor Society, as reported by the AP.

The impact of AI on students with learning disabilities is significant. Makenzie, for example, uses a word prediction tool that suggests correct spellings for challenging words helping her avoid frustration.

Text-to-speech software reads aloud her textbooks and assignments, enabling her to concentrate on understanding the material rather than decoding the text. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots help break down complex concepts and offer further explanations when needed, as reported by the AP.

Ben Snyder, a freshman in Larchmont, New York, also relies on AI tools to navigate learning challenges. Diagnosed with a learning disability, Ben struggles to grasp mathematical concepts using traditional methods, reported the AP.

He uses Question AI, an AI-powered tool that provides multiple explanations for math problems, helping him understand the material in different ways. For writing tasks, Ben utilizes AI to generate outlines, significantly speeding up the process of organizing his thoughts.

A scientific literature review published by Oxford Academic outlines how AI applications for students with learning disabilities can be categorized into four levels: substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition.

At the substitution level, AI provides basic functionalities, such as tracking engagement, without greatly improving traditional teaching methods. The augmentation level enhances support, offering tools like writing assistants that help students with challenges such as dyslexia.

The modification level introduces more substantial changes, providing personalized strategies and adaptive learning to better address individual needs.

At the redefinition level, AI creates entirely new learning opportunities, offering personalized and immersive experiences that traditional methods cannot replicate, ultimately fostering greater educational success.

The AP notes that AI also benefits students with visual and auditory impairments. For instance, text-to-speech software has advanced, providing natural-sounding voices that help students with visual impairments or dyslexia.

Speech-to-text programs enable students with hearing impairments to communicate effectively by converting spoken words into written text.

The AP reportes that the U.S. Education Department has acknowledged the value of AI in special education, encouraging schools to integrate technologies like text-to-speech and communication devices.

Despite its advantages, the AP notes that experts warn of the potential risks associated with AI. Mary Lawson, general counsel at the Council of the Great City Schools, cautions that AI tools should complement, not replace, skill-building, especially for tasks like reading and writing.

There are also ethical concerns, such as the possibility of AI inadvertently revealing a student’s disability, raising privacy issues. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of AI-based tools, which are often visually oriented, has led to concerns about exclusion for blind and partially sighted individuals.

Tom Pey, president of the Royal Society for Blind Children, argues that blind people are being left behind as AI technologies, such as video games and augmented reality, become more common, as reported by The Guardian.

As AI continues to evolve, balancing its benefits and ethical concerns remains crucial for inclusive education.