Dyslexia & reading support
Reading support that works the way dyslexic students think.
Scanmarker Max is the reading pen most recommended by SPED and AT specialists for students with dyslexia. It doesn’t ask a student to read differently — it meets them where they are, with phonics-grounded read-aloud, exam-ready independence, and display settings that ease visual stress.
Core capabilities
Three pillars of dyslexia support
Phonics module
Max breaks every scanned word into syllables and phonemes, shows the phonetic spelling, and reads each piece aloud on request — grounded in structured literacy, the evidence-based approach for dyslexia.
Exam-lock mode
Switch it on before a test to disable translation and internet features. The pen still meets standardized test accommodation requirements while keeping the read-aloud support an IEP or 504 plan calls for.
Instant read-aloud
Glide the tip across a printed line and hear it read aloud in under a second — no hovering a mouse, no selecting text. Any textbook, handout, or exam, without needing aide support to access it.
Try it yourself
What happens in one second
Three stages, start to finish: the pen meets the page, the word appears on screen in a dyslexia-friendly layout, and any syllable is one tap from being read aloud.
The pen meets the page
Glide the tip across a line.
Press the pen tip lightly onto the start of a printed line. A soft LED lights the paper, and an optical sensor captures the text as you glide — turning ink on the page into digital data before you reach the end of the line.
comprehension
the sun gives plants light for growing
Copy-ready IEP / 504 accommodation language
ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT FOR SECTION 504 / IEP (SECTION 7: AT): "Student shall be permitted the use of a standalone OCR reading pen (Scanmarker Max or equivalent) with text-to-speech output via wired/wireless headphones for all instructional reading assignments, worksheets, and state/district assessments in accordance with exam-lock mode (disabling translation, dictionary, and internet connectivity)."
Bring this wording to an annual 504/IEP committee review to support standardized test accommodation requests.
Recommended
The right pen for your student
Most SPED and AT specialists recommend Max or the Max Bundle for students with dyslexia. PAL is the right call for younger students and tighter budgets.
Scanmarker Max Bundle
Scanmarker Max paired with 200 Phonics Flash Cards — the complete reading support kit for students with dyslexia, IEP plans, and early readers.
Also consider:
Feature detail
How it works in the classroom
Phonics breakdown
Words split into phonemes on screen. Tap any phoneme to hear it pronounced on its own — the same approach a reading specialist uses in a one-on-one session.
Font and display customization
Increase font size, switch to a dyslexia-friendly typeface, and set a tinted background to cut visual stress. Every display preference saves automatically.
Exam accommodation mode
Exam-lock mode is PIN-protected and documented for accommodation coordinators. It restricts the pen to read-aloud only, in line with most state and district AT accommodation policies.
Standalone operation
Max works with no phone, tablet, or computer. A student who gets pulled off-task by a screen can stay focused on the printed page instead.
25%
reading comprehension improvement among IEP students using Max
Riverside Unified, 2023–2024
87
phoneme-grapheme pairs covered in the Phonics Flash Cards
16 hrs
battery life on Max — a full school day with no recharge
Questions about dyslexia support
What is the best reading pen for a student with dyslexia?
Scanmarker Max is the most-recommended option by SPED and AT specialists: it works standalone (no phone or computer needed), includes a phonics module that breaks scanned words into syllables and phonemes, and has an exam-lock mode for accommodation compliance. The Max Bundle adds 200 Phonics Flash Cards for structured practice.
Can PenScanner be written into an IEP or 504 plan?
Yes. Exam-lock mode restricts the pen to read-aloud only — no translation or internet — meeting most state and district standardized-test accommodation requirements. Use the copy-ready clause above as a starting point for your committee review.
Does PenScanner teach phonics, or just read text aloud?
Both. The phonics module displays phonetic pronunciation and lets a student tap any phoneme to hear it in isolation — the same breakdown a reading specialist uses one-on-one — while instant read-aloud gives full-text access to any printed page in under a second.
Is Scanmarker Max or PAL better for younger students?
PAL is the better fit for K-5 early and struggling readers on a tighter budget. Max and the Max Bundle are recommended for IEP/504 students who need the full phonics module and exam-lock mode.
Keep reading
Guides for dyslexia support
The Science of Reading and Reading Pens: What Educators Need to Know
Does a reading pen support the Science of Reading — or undermine it? A clear, honest answer for teachers, reading specialists, and SLPs navigating both.
September 25, 2026
Read guide
A Teacher's Guide to Reading Pen Accommodations: What to Do Before Monday
A student just got a reading pen listed in their IEP or 504. Here's exactly what to do — setup, classroom protocols, exam rules, and what to tell other students.
September 25, 2026
Read guide
The Best Text-to-Speech Pens in 2026: Read Any Printed Page Aloud
A dedicated text-to-speech pen skips the smartphone entirely. Compare the best standalone read-aloud pens for reading fatigue, dyslexia, low vision, and language learning in 2026.
September 17, 2026
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Ready to support your students?
Book a demo with our AT specialist, or order today — ClassWallet accepted.