Rachel Williams

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE

Special education is defi ned as educational programs and assignments including, special classes and programs or services designed to develop the educational potential of children with disabilities including, but not l imited to, educational placements of children by school committees, the departments of public health, mental health, mental retardation, youth services and social services in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the regulations set forth by the board of education.

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Routines are extremely helpfulHave a clear system of rewardsReduce seating distractionsTeach good study skillsBe sensitive to self esteem issuesInvolve the counselor or school psychologist

SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE CLASSROOM

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act Assistive Technology is defined according to devices and services.

AT Devices: any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities

AT Services: any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

According to the National Center for Technology Innovation and Center for Implementing Technology in Education there are 6 steps identifying an AT solution for students.

Step 1: Collect child and family informationStep 2: Identify activities for participationStep 3: What can be observed that indicates

the intervention is successful?Step 4: Brainstorm AT solutionsStep 5: Try it outStep 6: Identify

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT AT TO USE??

ADHD: Attention Defi cit Hyperactivity Disorder: General ly the ADHD chi ld is unable to concentrate, constant ly moves around, and has poor school per formance compared wi th inte l l igence. )

IEP: The Individual Education Plan i s developed with the help of parents , c lassroom teachers , school offi cials and guidance counselors . Once wr i t ten the teacher is requi red to fo l low this p lan.

LRE: The Least Restrictive Environment i s a learning p lan that provides the most poss ib le t ime in the regular c lassroom sett ing.

Inclusive Practices: Students wi th d isab i l i t ies should be in the c lassroom with t rad i t ional s tudents as opposed to a specia l educat ion c lassroom.

LEARNING TERMS TO KNOW

FM System: like a small radio on a special frequency.

Infrared System: sound from a television screen is transmitted using infrared light.

Induction Loop System: Works with hearing aids and is great for use with large groups.

AT FOR HEARING DISABILITIES

Print or picture schedule Low tech aids to fi nd materials

(e.g. index tabs, color coded folders)

Highl ight text (e.g. markers, highl ight tape, ruler, etc.)

Recorded material (books on tape, taped lectures with number coded index, etc.)

Voice output reminders for assignments, steps of task, etc.

Electronic organizers Pagers and electronic reminders Single word scanners Hand-held scanners Software for concept

development/manipulation of objects

Software for outl ining and organization of ideas

Palm computers

AT FOR ADHD

AT FOR MILD LEARNING DISABILITIES

Organization: Teaching students to organize their thoughts using charts, diagrams, and outlines

Note Taking: options include video taping the class for students to view later, podcasts of the class, or sending class notes via email.

Writing: Word processing can be a great tool in helping with mechanics, process, and motivation.

Academic Productivity Tools: Calculators, computers, the internet, and PDAs are all examples of productivity trackers.

All Chi ldren Can Learn: http:/ /portal .norwalkps.org/npsdepartments/speced/Pages/default.aspx

Terms to Know: http:/ /www.chi ld-development-guide.com/adhd-and-hyperactivity.html

FM System: http:/ /www.tecear.com/Comtek_Personal_FM.htm Infrared System:

http:/ /www.bloomingtonnormalaudio.com/products/alds/assist ive-l istening-products/

Induction Loop System: http:/ /www.harriscomm.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=46_158

Highl ighted text book: http:/ /theskiffl er.com/?p=1683 Book on tape:

http:/ /www.cv.r iverview.wednet.edu/staff /rodgers/reasons_to_read_aloud.htm

Electronic Organizer: http:/ /www.pygmy.com/yo-550r.htm Handheld Scanner:

http:/ /www.techchee.com/2009/12/23/portable-handheld-scanner/ Weekly Planner:

http:/ / familyfun.go.com/printables/weekly-calendar-for-teachers-702918/ Note Taking:

http:/ /www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/ January-2010/How-To-Take-Great-Notes/ Kids on Computer: http:/ /www.123rf.com/stock-photo/computer_typing.html Productivity: http:/ /www.insidemind.net/

PHOTO REFERENCES

http://www.slrsd.org/sped/spdef.php http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ learning/adhd.html# http://www.adhdnews.com/what-is-adhd.htm http://www.education.com/reference/art icle/Ref_Assist ive_Technology http://www.weac.org/Issues_Advocacy/Resource_Pages_On_Issues_one/Sp

ecial_Education/special_education_inclusion.aspx

http://www.ldonl ine.org/glossary http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assist ive.htm

REFERENCES