ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Young children with disabilities need an enriched

environment to promote their social and cognitive

participation and growth. Technologies, from low to

high-tech, can play a role in promoting their

participation, but are often underutilized.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Kids with delayed skills or other disabilities might be eligible for

special services that provide individualized education programs in

public schools, free of charge to families. Understanding how to access

these services can help parents be effective advocates for their kids.

Parents can now work with educators to develop a plan — the

individualized education program (IEP) — to help kids succeed in

school. The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the

school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.

STUDENTS WITH ADHD

Research indicates that children with ADHD are at considerable

risk for academic underachievement and that these difficulties are

also associated with factors other than the behavioral symptoms of

ADHD.

Students with ADHD often benefit from instructional approaches

that are explicit in their specific objectives, actions, and goals. For

example, in teaching writing strategies, students with ADHD benefit

from instruction that is highly explicit and incorporates think-aloud

procedures with guided practice in applying the strategies.

STUDENTS WITH AUDITORY DISABILITIES

Hearing impaired students often learn to "feign"

comprehension with the end result being that the student does

have optimal learning opportunities. Therefore, facilitative

strategies for hearing impaired students are primarily concerned

with various aspects of communication.

If available, use Assistive Learning Devices. These devices

consist of a transmitter that sends electronically enhanced sound

to receivers worn by individuals who are hard-of-hearing.

STUDENTS WITH MILD LEARNING DISABILITIES

One of the most common learning characteristics of children with mild general

learning disabilities is that they have difficulty mastering academic content. In

addition, these students frequently have difficulty with social behaviors and in

finding appropriate work once their formal education is completed. Often

individuals with MLD will display one or more of the following characteristics:• Delayed conceptual development• Difficulties with memory • Slow speech and language development• Limited social skills• Limited attention span and poor retention ability • Decreased motivation • Lack of coordination and of gross and fine motor skills• A minority may also have varying degrees of hearing or visual impairment

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes

assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also

includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater

independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to

accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing.

The use of Assistive Technology (AT) for students with disabilities can increase their

capabilities and independence in both in and out of school settings. These items can be

used for communication and productive or to provide an individual with an opportunity

to experience recreational opportunities. Individuals with serious sensory disabilities

such as physical disabilities, visual impairments or deafness have benefited more than

any other group of individuals from advances in assistive technologies.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

FM Listening Systems -Personal FM listening systems

bring a speaker’s voice directly into a listener’s ear

through a small transmitter unit (with a microphone), and

an equally small receiver unit (with a head- or earphone).

These wireless systems make the speaker’s voice sound

stronger, which benefits those who have difficulty focusing

on what a speaker is saying. A dial on the receiver unit

controls the volume.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

Some children with communication disabilities, such as

slowed speech or inability to put their thoughts into words

or onto a computer screen may benefit from technology

such as voice-to-text software, which recognizes speech and

converts it to text on the computer screen. Other devices

allow students to type out their words and thoughts, after

which the computer will play them back in audio, helping

the student to know the sounds of specific words and

phrases. Word prediction, abbreviation and expansion

programs help students who struggle with typing by

reducing the number of keystrokes children need in order

to type out words and sentences.

REFERENCES

Assistive Technology and Learning Disabilities (2011). Retrieved

June 19, 2011 from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld.htm

Assistive Technology Devices for Children (2011). Retrieved June

19, 2011 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/116195-

assistive-technology-devices-children/

Rettig, M.A. (2006). Assistive Technology for Students with

Disabilities. Retrieved June 19, 2011 from

http://www.washburn.edu/cas/education/special-

education/web.Assistive%20Technology.htm