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Study Skills 3: Managing Focus and Attention

A CTD Webinar Series on Assistive Technology from the Simon Technology Center at PACER

May 3, 2018

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WelcomePresenters:

• Tara Brusstara.bruss@pacer.org

• Sarah Giffen-Huntersarah.gh@pacer.org

Assistive Technology Specialists

Simon Technology Center

(952) 838-9000

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Livestream Tips

Volume• The default volume in Livestream is set at 50%.

• If you are having difficulties with sound, try increasing this volume.

• Use headphones to improve sound experience.

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Livestream Tips

Click on Event Posts for: • Messages• Links to handouts • A link to evaluation at the

end of the workshop

If you are having technical difficulties, use the chat window to send a message. You can also

use the chat window to send comments and questions.

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www.PACER.org

PACER has programs for children and adults with all types of disabilities, as well as their parents, families,

and professionals that work with them.

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The Simon Technology Center (STC) is dedicated to making the benefits of technology more accessible to children and adults with disabilities.

Services:• Information & Referral

• Lending Library

• Free Consultations

• Individualized Trainings

• Workshops & In-services

• Special Projects

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3-Part Study Skills Series

Study Skills 1: Research and Note-taking SkillsView on the CTD website here:https://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2018-03-06/study-skills-1-research-and-note-taking-skills

Study Skills 2: Multisensory Learning and ReviewWill be posted to the CTD website soon: https://www.ctdinstitute.org/cafe

Archived Webinars

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Today’s Agenda

• Distractions, self-awareness, and the senses

• Increasing awareness of time • Timers, watches, and alarms

• Tools and strategies for focus and attention

• Managing electronic distractions

• Conclusion

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Gaining Awareness of Distractions

• What do you find distracting?

• What time of day are you most able to concentrate?

• How do you perceive time?

• What helps you to focus?

• What is the best study environment for you?

• Sight• Hearing• Smell • Taste• Touch• Temperature

• Kinesthetic• Other: hunger,

thirst, sleepiness, emotions

Think about your different senses; what helps you focus

and what is distracting?

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Increasing Awareness of Time

• Visual Timer• Time timer

• Talking time: clock / timer / stopwatch• Apps by Johnny Sundblom• Talking clock for iPhone

• Watch – vibrating or smart watch

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Timers• Looping interval

• WatchMinder• Invisible Clock• Multi Timer StopWatch, by LemonClip, (Android only)• Repeat Timer, by William Artamon (iOS only)

• Sequence timer/stepped timer• 30/30 by Binary Hammer (iOS only)• Do Now - Focused Timeboxing by Slamtastic (Android

only)• Timewinder by Widget Revolt LLC (Android, iOS)

• Barcode/QR code alarm• Barcode Alarm Clock FREE, by Jarig Duval (iOS only)• Alarm Clock Xtreme, by AVG Labs (Android only)

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Tools and Strategies for Focus & Attention

•Visual

•Auditory

• Tactile

•Vestibular

•Mindfulness

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Visual• Set-up environment before working

• Wrist Notes, by Knock Knock

• Reduce/eliminate environmental movement

• Study carrel / privacy shield / desk divider

• Hide clutter

• Lighting (turn lights down, light up specific areas)

• Lava lamp, bubble tube/lamp, or Mini Jelly Ball Lamp

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Auditory• Noise cancelling headset - ear

protection• Ex: Protective ear covering

from hardware stores• Ear plugs• Example company: Califone

http://www.califone.com/earprotect.php

• Fan

• Water Fountain

• Instrumental (no words) music or nature sounds

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Auditory

Background Noise Apps and Streaming

• Coffitivity, (Coffitivity, LLC), Web, Android, iOS, Free+

• myNoise.net, (Dr. Ir. S. Pigeon), Web, Android, iOS, Free+

• Naturespace, (Holographic Audio Theater), Android, iOS, Free+

• Relax Melodies,(Ipnos Software), Android, iOS, Free+

• White Noise, (TMSOFT), Android, iOS, Free+

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Tactile• Glitter Bead Ball, at eSpecial Needs

• DIY Water beads sensory bag

• Gel Hand Exercise Balls, at Fun and Function

• Koosh or Porcupine ball

• Putty / thinking putty / therapy putty / silly putty

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Tactile• Magnetic Fidget Balls, at Therapy Shoppe

• Fidgets, by Fidgetland

• Klicks Fidget, at Therapy Shoppe

• Tangle Jr. Textured, at School Specialty

• FlexiBlox Fidget, at Amazon

• Bendeez, at Therapro

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Tactile• Stretchy Bracelet, at Therapy Shoppe

• Zipper Fidget Jewelry, at Therapy Shoppe

• Fidgeting Finger Springs, at Therapy Shoppe

• Extra Thick Massager Pencil Grip, at Therapy Shoppe

• Pencil Finger Fidgets, at eSpecial Needs

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A Few Places to Find Fidgets (There are many more)

• Adaptive Tech Solutions

• Amazon

• Autism Shop

• Autism-Products.com

• Cadan Assistive Technologies

• Enabling Devices

• eSpecial Needs

• Fidgetland

• Fun and Function

• Grampa’s Garden

• National Autism Resources

• School Specialty – Abilitations

• Sensation Products Ltd.

• Skil-Care

• Special Needs Toys

• The Sensory University Toy Company

• Therapro

• Therapy Shoppe

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Vestibular: Posture & Seating• Balance disk

• FitBALL Air Cushion, at eSpecial Needs

• CoreDisk, at EnableMart

• Disc’O’Sit, at EnableMart

• Balance wedge, at Therapro

• Movin’ Sit, at Therapro

• Vidget, by Viggi Kids

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Vestibular: Posture & Seating(Click on the pictures to open the websites)

• Ball chair• Stable base• Rolling base

• Swivel base• Back support

• Arm support

• Stability ball• With legs• With sand

• Peanut shape

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Vestibular: Posture & Seating

• T-Stool• One leg

• Two legs

• Tube shape

• Standing desk• Stationary or adjustable

• Desktop

• DIY

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Vestibular: Posture & Seating

• Fidgeting Foot Band

• Portable FootFidget Footrest

• HOVR

• Kick Balance Board

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Vestibular: Movement Breaks

• Movement/brain breaks• GoNoodle

• MeMoves & LifeMoves

• BrainDance, by Anne Green Gilbert

• Any kind of intentional movement (tip: use timer)

• Stand Up! The Work Break Timer app, by Raised Square, LLC (iOS only)

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Vestibular: Movement

• Yoga/ Pilates

• Dance

• Stretching

• Jumping• Trampoline

• Jumping jacks

• Jump rope

• Skipping

• Walking

• Running

• Climbing

• Balancing

• Swinging

• Gymnastics/ tumbling

• Basketball

• Bicycle

• Roller skate

• Punching bag

• Heavy work (lift, push, pull, carry)

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Mindfulness Tools

• Mindfulness • Videos• Websites

• Exercises http://youth.anxietybc.com/mindfulness-exercises

• Apps for meditation and mindfulness• Smiling Mind, iOS & Android, Free

• Breathing Zone: Guided Breathing for Mindfulness, iOS & Android, $3.99

• Stop, Breathe & Think, iOS & Android, Free+

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Managing Electronic Distractions: On-screen Distractions

• eSee-N-Read electronic reading & instruction tool for PC

• Mercury Reader, Chrome extension, Free • Or “Reader View” on Safari or Microsoft

Edge

• Texthelp’s feature: Screen Masking

• AdBlock, (getadblock.com), Chrome, Free

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Managing Electronic Distractions:Computer (Desktop, laptop)

• RescueTime Lite, PC – Web-based, Free• Tracks how you spend your time on

websites and apps

• These block distracting websites for a chosen length of time:

• StayFocusd, Chrome extension, Free• SelfControl, MacOS, Free

• Cold Turkey Blocker, Windows, Free

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Managing Electronic Distractions:Mobile Devices (Smartphone, tablet)

• Guided Access – On iPad

• Moment – Screen Time Tracker app, iOS, Free or premium

• Tracks time spent on phone or tablet each day

• Flipd – Keep Focused, iOS & Android, Free or premium

• Set timer for study, work, or sleep; Block distracting apps

• Flora – Focus, Study, Pomodoro, iOS, Free• Grow trees by taking a break from using your phone

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Resources on Planning & Time Management

• Recorded Livestream event:• Managing Time for Teens & Young Adults

• http://preview.tinyurl.com/ManagingTimeAug2017

• Handout: Time Tools, Interactions & Methods• http://www.pacer.org/stc/pubs/time-tools-interactions-methods.pdf

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3-Part Study Skills Series

Study Skills 1: Research and Note-taking Skills

Study Skills 2: Multisensory Learning and Review

Study Skills 3: Managing Focus and Attention

Webinars will be available to view on the CTD website at: https://www.ctdinstitute.org/cafe

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Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

Other resources available on the CTD website:• Fact sheets

• Short guides

• Research articles

• Videos

• Webinars

• Classes

https://www.ctdinstitute.org/

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Questions & Wrap Up

• Questions?

• For more information on AT tools or services, contact the Simon Technology Center at PACER:• Call 952-838-9000

• Email stc@pacer.org

• Visit: http://www.pacer.org/stc/

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We want to hear from you!

At the end of the webinar, please fill out the brief survey

Located under event posts (box with an arrow in it)

When you complete your survey,

a certificate of completion will appear.

If you experience any difficulties

send an email to stc@pacer.org

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“Assistive and Instructional Technology Supporting Learners with Disabilities”

The Center on Technology and Disability is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under award #H327F130003 – 13A.