Quick Overview
- 1#1: Unique Learning System - Provides comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- 2#2: Boardmaker - Enables creation of customized visual supports, communication boards, and schedules for students with communication and learning challenges.
- 3#3: Read&Write - Offers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and literacy tools to support students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading/writing difficulties.
- 4#4: Goalbook Toolkit - Assists educators in writing compliant IEP goals, aligning them to standards, and tracking student progress effectively.
- 5#5: Proloquo2Go - Delivers robust augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) capabilities for nonverbal children and adults with speech impairments.
- 6#6: TeachTown - Supplies evidence-based curriculum and software for teaching core skills to students with autism and developmental disabilities.
- 7#7: Otsimo - Features gamified educational apps designed specifically for children with autism and special learning needs.
- 8#8: Seesaw - Facilitates digital portfolios, family engagement, and individualized learning activities adaptable for special education classrooms.
- 9#9: Boom Cards - Provides interactive, self-grading digital task cards for skill-building and assessment in special education settings.
- 10#10: Picto-Selector - Allows free creation and customization of pictorial communication symbols and visual schedules for special needs support.
Tools were rigorously evaluated on features like educational alignment, ease of use, and evidence-based effectiveness to identify those that deliver consistent, meaningful support for cognitive, communication, and developmental challenges.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines key special education software tools, including Unique Learning System, Boardmaker, Read&Write, Goalbook Toolkit, Proloquo2Go, and additional options, to outline their unique features, practical applications, and suitability for various learning requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unique Learning System Provides comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Boardmaker Enables creation of customized visual supports, communication boards, and schedules for students with communication and learning challenges. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Read&Write Offers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and literacy tools to support students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading/writing difficulties. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Goalbook Toolkit Assists educators in writing compliant IEP goals, aligning them to standards, and tracking student progress effectively. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Proloquo2Go Delivers robust augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) capabilities for nonverbal children and adults with speech impairments. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 6 | TeachTown Supplies evidence-based curriculum and software for teaching core skills to students with autism and developmental disabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Otsimo Features gamified educational apps designed specifically for children with autism and special learning needs. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Seesaw Facilitates digital portfolios, family engagement, and individualized learning activities adaptable for special education classrooms. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Boom Cards Provides interactive, self-grading digital task cards for skill-building and assessment in special education settings. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Picto-Selector Allows free creation and customization of pictorial communication symbols and visual schedules for special needs support. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
Provides comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Enables creation of customized visual supports, communication boards, and schedules for students with communication and learning challenges.
Offers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and literacy tools to support students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading/writing difficulties.
Assists educators in writing compliant IEP goals, aligning them to standards, and tracking student progress effectively.
Delivers robust augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) capabilities for nonverbal children and adults with speech impairments.
Supplies evidence-based curriculum and software for teaching core skills to students with autism and developmental disabilities.
Features gamified educational apps designed specifically for children with autism and special learning needs.
Facilitates digital portfolios, family engagement, and individualized learning activities adaptable for special education classrooms.
Provides interactive, self-grading digital task cards for skill-building and assessment in special education settings.
Allows free creation and customization of pictorial communication symbols and visual schedules for special needs support.
Unique Learning System
specializedProvides comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SymbolStix pictorial symbols seamlessly embedded in every lesson for universal communication support
Unique Learning System (ULS) from n2y.com is a comprehensive, standards-aligned online curriculum tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades PreK-12. It delivers monthly theme-based lesson units with multisensory activities, printable resources, and SymbolStix symbols to support communication and engagement. The platform includes robust data tracking, progress monitoring, and IEP goal alignment tools to enable individualized instruction and evidence-based decision-making.
Pros
- Extensive library of differentiated, standards-aligned lessons across core subjects
- Integrated SymbolStix symbols and multisensory materials for accessibility
- Advanced data collection and reporting for IEPs and progress tracking
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small districts or individual use
- Requires initial training for full utilization of advanced features
- Web-based platform demands reliable internet access
Best For
Special education teachers and K-12 schools serving students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities who need a turnkey, data-driven curriculum.
Pricing
Quote-based school/district licensing, typically $6-12 per student/year; bundles with n2y suite tools available.
Boardmaker
specializedEnables creation of customized visual supports, communication boards, and schedules for students with communication and learning challenges.
Comprehensive, editable PCS symbol library enabling rapid creation of highly customized communication and visual supports
Boardmaker, from Tobii Dynavox, is a premier special education software for designing customizable visual supports and augmentative communication materials using an extensive Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) library. Educators can create communication boards, schedules, social stories, behavior supports, and interactive PDFs tailored to students with autism, speech impairments, or developmental disabilities. It offers both desktop (Boardmaker 7) and cloud-based (Boardmaker Online) versions for flexible creation, sharing, and printing.
Pros
- Vast library of over 80,000 editable PCS symbols
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick material creation
- Versatile outputs including printable boards, interactive PDFs, and web sharing
Cons
- Subscription model adds recurring costs for full access
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization and scripting
- Limited native integrations with some modern LMS platforms
Best For
Special education teachers, speech therapists, and autism specialists needing robust tools for personalized visual and AAC supports.
Pricing
Boardmaker Online subscriptions start at $99/user/year; Boardmaker 7 desktop perpetual license ~$349 plus $99 annual maintenance.
Read&Write
specializedOffers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and literacy tools to support students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading/writing difficulties.
Dual Color Highlighting, which color-codes text to distinguish main ideas from supporting details for superior comprehension training
Read&Write by Texthelp is a versatile literacy toolbar that supports students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning challenges by providing tools for reading, writing, and comprehension. Key features include high-quality text-to-speech, word prediction, spell-checking, and visual aids like dual-color highlighting to identify main ideas and details. It integrates seamlessly with browsers, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and PDFs, making it a staple in special education environments for fostering independence.
Pros
- Powerful text-to-speech with natural voices and speed control
- Dual-color highlighting excels at building reading comprehension
- Broad compatibility across platforms and apps reduces workflow disruptions
Cons
- Premium pricing may strain individual or small classroom budgets
- Full customization requires some initial teacher training
- Occasional integration glitches with niche educational software
Best For
Special education teachers and students needing comprehensive, integrated literacy support to enhance reading and writing independence.
Pricing
Individual licenses start at $99/user/year; school/enterprise volume pricing from $4-6/student/year with multi-year contracts.
Goalbook Toolkit
specializedAssists educators in writing compliant IEP goals, aligning them to standards, and tracking student progress effectively.
The unparalleled library of research-based, CCSS-aligned goals and tiered scaffolds for universal design for learning (UDL).
Goalbook Toolkit is a web-based platform tailored for special education professionals, offering a vast library of standards-aligned IEP goals, accommodations, and research-based scaffolds to support individualized student instruction. It enables teachers to create customized goals, monitor progress through data tracking tools, and collaborate with teams for compliant IEP development. The tool emphasizes differentiation and evidence-based practices, making it easier to align instruction with student needs and state standards.
Pros
- Extensive bank of 20,000+ pre-written, standards-aligned IEP goals and scaffolds
- Robust progress monitoring and data visualization tools for easy tracking
- Strong collaboration features for IEP teams and compliance support
Cons
- Pricing scales with student numbers, which can be costly for smaller districts
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization features
- Limited integrations with some popular LMS beyond Google Classroom and Canvas
Best For
Special education teachers and district teams in K-12 schools seeking comprehensive IEP goal banks and scaffolded instruction tools.
Pricing
District pricing starts at ~$12 per student/year (minimums apply); custom quotes for larger implementations.
Proloquo2Go
specializedDelivers robust augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) capabilities for nonverbal children and adults with speech impairments.
Crescendo vocabulary system, which scaffolds motor and language learning from single symbols to full phrases
Proloquo2Go is a robust augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app for iOS devices, designed to help nonverbal individuals, especially children with autism, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays, express themselves through customizable symbol grids and text-to-speech synthesis. It features topic-based vocabulary pages, motor learning progression via Crescendo grids, and extensive customization for personalized communication boards. Widely used in special education, it supports users from preschool to adulthood with evidence-based tools for building language skills.
Pros
- Highly customizable symbol libraries and vocabulary grids tailored for special ed users
- High-quality, natural-sounding text-to-speech voices in multiple languages
- Proven effectiveness with motor learning progression for skill development
Cons
- Expensive one-time upfront cost without subscription flexibility
- iOS-exclusive, limiting accessibility on Android or other platforms
- Steep learning curve for full customization by educators or parents
Best For
Special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, and parents supporting nonverbal students with complex communication needs on iPads.
Pricing
One-time purchase of $249.99 per iOS device (iPad/iPhone); no subscription required.
TeachTown
specializedSupplies evidence-based curriculum and software for teaching core skills to students with autism and developmental disabilities.
Integrated ABA-driven data tracking with automated IEP goal alignment and progress reports
TeachTown is a comprehensive special education software platform designed for students with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and other special needs, offering evidence-based curricula across core academic subjects like language arts, math, science, and social skills. It features interactive, multimedia lessons with built-in data tracking, progress monitoring, and customizable lesson plans to support individualized instruction from preschool through high school. The solution emphasizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and includes supplementary teacher resources for classroom implementation.
Pros
- Evidence-based curriculum aligned with academic standards and ABA principles
- Robust data collection and progress tracking tools for IEPs
- Engaging, adaptive lessons suitable for diverse special needs learners
Cons
- Higher cost for smaller districts or individual use
- Requires reliable computer/internet access and teacher training
- Limited advanced customization for highly specialized needs
Best For
Special education teachers and schools serving students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities or autism.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $39 per student per year for Basics curriculum, with tiered plans up to $99+ for advanced levels; volume discounts for schools.
Otsimo
specializedFeatures gamified educational apps designed specifically for children with autism and special learning needs.
AI-powered personalization engine that dynamically adjusts game difficulty and content based on real-time child performance
Otsimo is a gamified educational app designed for children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs, offering over 100 interactive games targeting skills like speech, fine motor control, social interaction, and cognitive development. It employs evidence-based methodologies developed with child psychologists and adapts activities based on the child's progress. Parents and therapists can track performance through detailed reports, making it a supplementary tool for special education.
Pros
- Extensive library of engaging, research-backed games
- Personalized learning paths that adapt to child progress
- Comprehensive parent/teacher dashboards for tracking
Cons
- Primarily optimized for tablets, less ideal on phones
- Full access requires paid subscription after trial
- Content geared toward ages 2-8, limited for older kids
Best For
Parents and therapists of young children (ages 2-8) with autism seeking fun, at-home skill-building activities.
Pricing
Free version with limited games; premium subscription $12.99/month, $99.99/year, or one-time lifetime access around $299.
Seesaw
otherFacilitates digital portfolios, family engagement, and individualized learning activities adaptable for special education classrooms.
Multimodal student portfolios that compile drawings, videos, and voice notes as authentic evidence for IEP progress monitoring
Seesaw is a K-12 digital portfolio platform where teachers assign standards-aligned activities, and students respond via photos, videos, drawings, voice notes, or text. It enables real-time feedback, progress portfolios, and family access for transparent communication. In special education, it excels at capturing multimodal evidence of learning for IEP goals, differentiation, and visual/kinesthetic learners.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface accessible for young students and those with motor challenges
- Strong parent engagement with portfolio sharing and messaging
- Multimodal responses support diverse SPED needs like visual aids and voice input
Cons
- No native IEP management or compliance tracking tools
- Analytics are basic, lacking advanced SPED data dashboards
- Premium storage and admin features locked behind school-wide subscriptions
Best For
Special education teachers in elementary settings prioritizing student portfolios, family communication, and easy differentiation over advanced compliance tools.
Pricing
Free for individual teachers with core features; Seesaw Premium for schools starts at $120/teacher/year or custom district pricing with unlimited storage.
Boom Cards
specializedProvides interactive, self-grading digital task cards for skill-building and assessment in special education settings.
Interactive self-checking decks with real-time data dashboards for monitoring individual student mastery and growth.
Boom Cards is a web-based platform offering interactive, digital task cards (decks) for K-12 education, enabling teachers to create or access pre-made self-grading activities with multimedia elements like audio, images, and drag-and-drop interactions. In special education, it excels at providing differentiated, engaging lessons tailored to individual student needs, such as visual supports and immediate feedback for skill-building in reading, math, and life skills. The platform tracks progress automatically, generating reports to inform IEPs and instruction adjustments.
Pros
- Highly customizable decks with audio and visual supports ideal for diverse learners
- Automatic grading and detailed progress reports for data-driven SPED instruction
- Extensive library of pre-made special education-focused activities
Cons
- Requires stable internet and devices, limiting accessibility in low-tech environments
- Creating advanced custom decks has a learning curve for non-tech-savvy teachers
- Offline access is limited even with premium plans
Best For
Special education teachers and therapists looking for engaging, self-paced digital activities with built-in progress tracking for students with learning disabilities or autism.
Pricing
Free basic plan with limited play time; Premium individual at $24.95/year; school/district plans from $3.25/student/year.
Picto-Selector
otherAllows free creation and customization of pictorial communication symbols and visual schedules for special needs support.
Seamless integration with ARASAAC's vast, freely available pictogram database supporting over 20 languages
Picto-Selector is a free web-based tool designed for creating customizable visual supports like schedules, choice boards, communication aids, and social stories using a large library of ARASAAC pictograms. It caters specifically to special education needs, helping users support children with autism, language delays, or cognitive challenges through simple drag-and-drop interfaces. Creations can be exported as PDFs or images for printing or digital sharing, with support for multiple languages.
Pros
- Extensive free library of multilingual pictograms from ARASAAC
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick creation
- High value as a completely free tool with export options
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like animations or interactive elements
- Web-only access requires internet and lacks a dedicated mobile app
- Limited templates and customization depth compared to paid alternatives
Best For
Special education teachers and parents creating static visual aids for children with autism or communication difficulties in classrooms or homes.
Pricing
Completely free to use, with optional donations for support.
Conclusion
The top special education software tools reviewed offer tailored support for diverse needs, with the Unique Learning System leading as the top choice—providing comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Boardmaker and Read&Write stand out as strong alternatives, with Boardmaker excelling in visual communication tools and schedules, and Read&Write empowering literacy with text-to-speech and speech-to-text features. Together, these tools reflect the evolving focus on accessible, individual growth in special education.
Begin your journey with the Unique Learning System to access its robust, tailored resources, or explore Boardmaker and Read&Write to find the perfect fit for your unique needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison