Written by: Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP
Originally Published: February 8, 2017 | Updated: August 27, 2026
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience life through your child’s eyes? Understood.org’s “Through My Eyes” simulator lets you do exactly that. It’s a free, interactive tool that puts you in the shoes of a child with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia, so you can experience firsthand what everyday tasks like following directions or reading a page can feel like for them. Trying it takes just a few minutes and can completely change how you understand your child’s daily struggles.
What Is the “Through My Eyes” Simulator?
You’ve likely read articles and books about your child’s learning or attention differences, and as their parent, you probably know more than anyone about how they learn best and what routines help. But reading about a challenge and experiencing it are two very different things. This simulator walks you through interactive activities and short videos designed to recreate what specific tasks feel like for kids with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia.
What Will I Experience in the Simulator?
The simulator recreates common daily challenges, including:
- Trying to follow multi-step directions while being pulled in different directions by distractions, a common experience for kids with ADHD
- Reading and spelling when letters seem to shift, flip, or blend together, a common experience for kids with dyslexia
- Making sense of numbers and quantities when math concepts don’t click the way they seem to for other kids, a common experience for kids with dyscalculia
Many parents come away from the experience with a much clearer picture of just how much effort their child puts into tasks that might look simple from the outside.
Why Does Walking in Your Child’s Shoes Matter?
When a child struggles to follow directions, finish reading a page, or complete a math worksheet, it’s easy to assume they aren’t trying hard enough. Experiencing even a small taste of that difficulty firsthand can shift that perspective. It helps you respond with more patience, catch frustration before it builds, and recognize effort your child is already putting in that isn’t always visible.
How Can I Use What I Learn to Support My Child?
Once you have a better sense of what your child experiences, a few strategies can help translate that understanding into everyday support:
- Break multi-step directions into one step at a time, and check in before moving to the next
- Reduce background distractions during homework or reading time when possible
- Use multisensory strategies for reading, such as tracing letters while saying their sounds out loud
- Be patient with number concepts, and use visuals or hands-on objects rather than expecting mental math right away
- Share what you learned with your child’s teacher, so support is consistent between home and school
When Should I Seek Help?
The simulator is a powerful empathy-building tool, but it isn’t a diagnostic one. If your child’s struggles with attention, reading, or math are ongoing, affecting their confidence, or making school feel like a daily battle, it’s a good time to talk with a specialist. An evaluation can identify exactly what’s happening and what kind of support will help most.
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