Best Writing Options for Self-Contained Classrooms
Compare the best Writing options for Self-Contained Classrooms. Side-by-side features, ratings, and verdict.
Choosing the best writing option for a self-contained classroom requires balancing accessibility, skill level, and instructional goals. The strongest tools help teachers address handwriting, spelling, sentence construction, and functional writing while supporting IEP accommodations, visual structure, and varied learner needs in one room.
| Feature | Boardmaker | Clicker | Unique Learning System | Learning Without Tears | Co:Writer | Read&Write |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbol Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Limited |
| Keyboard Accessibility | Limited | Yes | Limited | No | Yes | Yes |
| Progress Monitoring | No | Limited | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Printable Materials | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Differentiation Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Boardmaker
Top PickBoardmaker is a widely used symbol-supported tool for creating adapted writing activities, sentence frames, visual supports, and functional communication materials. It is especially useful for students with autism, intellectual disability, and complex communication needs who benefit from visual scaffolds.
Pros
- +Strong symbol library for sentence building and functional writing tasks
- +Highly customizable printable writing supports, word banks, and task-analyzed activities
- +Works well for visual schedules, communication boards, and adapted literacy materials in the same classroom
Cons
- -Less robust for independent composition than full writing software
- -Subscription cost may be difficult for underfunded classrooms
Clicker
Clicker is a literacy support program designed to help students generate sentences and short compositions using word banks, speech support, and scaffolded writing grids. It is a strong fit for self-contained classrooms serving students who need structured support to move from single words to connected writing.
Pros
- +Excellent sentence-building grids reduce cognitive load during writing
- +Built-in speech feedback supports students with reading and language needs
- +Flexible enough for emergent writers, students using AAC, and learners working on early composition
Cons
- -Can take time for staff to create customized activities aligned to IEP goals
- -May be more than some classrooms need if the focus is only handwriting practice
Unique Learning System
Unique Learning System offers adapted curriculum units with writing activities tied to functional academics, life skills, and differentiated levels. It is commonly used in self-contained classrooms to provide standards-aligned yet accessible written expression tasks for students with significant disabilities.
Pros
- +Built-in differentiation supports classrooms with wide skill ranges
- +Writing tasks connect well to functional themes, communication, and life skills
- +Includes leveled materials that reduce planning time for teachers and paraprofessionals
Cons
- -Writing instruction may feel broad rather than deeply targeted to specific subskills
- -Customization is more limited than teacher-created adapted materials
Learning Without Tears
Learning Without Tears provides structured handwriting instruction with multisensory routines, developmentally sequenced lessons, and teacher-friendly materials. It is especially helpful in self-contained settings where students need explicit instruction in letter formation, fine motor support, and predictable routines.
Pros
- +Strong evidence-based handwriting routines for letter formation and legibility
- +Multisensory activities work well for students who need repetition and movement
- +Easy to align with OT collaboration and fine motor goals
Cons
- -Less comprehensive for higher-level composition and written expression
- -Consumable materials can increase annual costs
Co:Writer
Co:Writer is a word prediction and writing support tool that helps students compose more independently with spelling support, topic dictionaries, and speech feedback. It is particularly useful for students with dysgraphia, specific learning disability, orthopedic impairment, or executive functioning challenges.
Pros
- +Word prediction reduces spelling barriers and supports longer written output
- +Speech feedback helps students self-monitor accuracy and sentence meaning
- +Useful accommodation for students who know what they want to say but struggle to get it on paper
Cons
- -Best for students already using some level of keyboard-based writing
- -Not ideal as a stand-alone solution for emergent writers with significant cognitive needs
Read&Write
Read&Write is a literacy support toolbar that includes speech-to-text, text-to-speech, word prediction, picture dictionaries, and vocabulary supports. In self-contained classrooms, it can help students access grade-aligned writing tasks with accommodations while reducing barriers related to decoding, spelling, and motor output.
Pros
- +Combines multiple accommodation tools in one platform
- +Speech-to-text can support students with motor or transcription difficulties
- +Picture and vocabulary supports help students expand ideas during writing tasks
Cons
- -Requires training so staff use features consistently and purposefully
- -Some features are more helpful for general education access than highly adapted writing instruction
The Verdict
For teachers who need highly adapted, visual writing supports, Boardmaker and Clicker are often the strongest choices. If the priority is handwriting foundations, Learning Without Tears is a practical fit, while Co:Writer and Read&Write work best for students who need assistive technology accommodations for composition. Unique Learning System is a strong option for classrooms that need broad, leveled writing activities tied to functional and academic instruction.
Pro Tips
- *Match the tool to the student's writing stage - emergent writers need visual and sentence-level supports, while more advanced writers benefit from prediction and speech tools.
- *Check whether the option supports both academic and functional writing, such as lists, forms, schedules, and community-based tasks.
- *Prioritize tools that make differentiation easy for paraprofessionals to implement consistently across centers and small groups.
- *Review how well the program aligns with IEP accommodations, including keyboard access, speech-to-text, visual supports, and reduced writing demands.
- *Look for options that save teacher prep time without limiting the ability to customize materials for mixed skill levels in one classroom.