Mezei, P. J., & Heller, K. W. (2012). Effects of word prediction on writing fluency for students with physical disabilities . Physical Disabilities: Education and Related Services , 31 (1), 3–26. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/pders

[no doi reported]; also downloadable from ERIC database: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ986388.pdf

The use of word prediction software for supporting the writing fluency of students with physical disabilities was examined.

Four students with physical disabilities in a large metropolitan school district in Georgia participated. All students met the criteria of Orthopedic impairment with mild intellectual impairment. Students ranged from 12-18 years old.

Fluency, accuracy, and passage length of students’ writing were recorded to measure student performance when using both word processing software and word prediction software. Students first wrote a handwritten draft about a topic of interest. They then typed out the written draft using word processing software or word prediction software. Students engaged in alternating treatment where they each typed using both word processing software and word prediction at alternating intervals.

Word prediction software had little to no effect on writing speed but had a small effect on decreasing spelling and typographical errors.