EDUC W200 Week 14

SO, WHAT CONSTITUTES A “SPECIAL NEED”

EDUC W200 Week 14

DISCUSSION: WHAT IS A SPECIAL NEED?

• Brainstorming session:o Discuss in groups what you think (specific) special

needs are (say them by name, if you can)o Create a list that you will share with the rest of

the class (as a group)

• Let’s list them on (SMARTBoard,Twiddla, etc.):

EDUC W200 Week 14

NEEDS AND CONSEQUENCES

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISABILITY(a) One example is, rapid repetitions of vowels.

(b) Difficulty organizing thoughts, note taking.

(c) A foundation of genetic endowment, personality attributes to development, focuses on an area creativity.

(d) Externalizing behaviors: like yelling, walking out, destroying, stealing & lying.

(e) Neurological complications, malnourishment

(f) Leads to delays or deficits in motor development. Reduces a babies motivation to move.

(g) Disorder of voluntary movement and posture.

(h) Neurobehavioral syndrome, inability to relate to others, repetitive behavior, normal physical appearance

TYPE OF NEED

(1) Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

(2) Autism

(3) Communication Disorder

(4) Blindness

(5) Cerebral Palsy

(6) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

(7) Gifted and Talented

(8) Dyslexia

EDUC W200 Week 14

EDUC W200 Week 14

SO, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO HAVE SOME OF THESE NEEDS?

ADHD: http://webaim.org/simulations/distractability

Low Vision : http://webaim.org/simulations/lowvision

Color Blind: http://www.vischeck.com/examples/

Dyslexia: http://webaim.org/simulations/dyslexia-sim.html

EDUC W200 Week 14

A DEFINITION OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT)

“Any product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” (US Office of Special Education Programs)

Examples of Assistive Technology (AT):• Mobility devices (such as walker and

wheelchairs)• Hardware (physical technology devices)• Software (CDs, working inside devices, online

programs)

EDUC W200 Week 14

HOW DO WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR EACH STUDENT/CHILD?

1. INDIVIDUAL What are their

needs?

1. INDIVIDUAL What are their

needs?

2. TASKWhat is the task

they need to perform?

2. TASKWhat is the task

they need to perform?

4.TECHNOLOGYSelect which technology

available best fits situation?

4.TECHNOLOGYSelect which technology

available best fits situation?

3. CONTEXTIn what subject

area, when, where?

3. CONTEXTIn what subject

area, when, where?

Framework by Schwab AT Resources

EDUC W200 Week 14

HOW DOES “AT” SUPPORT LEARNERS?

For example:•Listening•Reading•Writing•Mathematics•Memory•Motivation•Social Skills•Time Management

EDUC W200 Week 14

REAL WORLD EXAMPLES OF “AT” IN ACTION

Interview with a K12 Special Ed Teacher

Interview with a family

Carly’s Story Carly's FAQ

EDUC W200 Week 14

MOBILITY NEEDS

• Adjustable-height tables and chairs• Special keyboards (e.g., keyless keyboards,

keyboard guards)• Special mouse and pointing devices • Touch screens and Tablet Computers• Gesture Controls

EDUC W200 Week 14

• Phonic ear (wear headset)• Speech to text systems• FM amplification systems (e.g., auditory

trainer)• Pictures, photos, objects• Electronic books• Cart (stenographer) services• Adobe Connect Captions Pod

HEARING NEEDS

EDUC W200 Week 14

• Computer screen magnifiers• Voice-output screen-reading software• Headsets • Word prediction software• Speech recognition• Large-print word processors

VISION NEEDS

EDUC W200 Week 14

DEVELOPMENTAL READING DISORDER (DYSLEXIA)

• Dyslexia is a disorder that interferes with an individual’s ability to read. It often runs in families.

• Symptoms: o Difficulty determining the meaning of a simple

sentenceo Difficulty learning to recognize written wordso Difficulty rhyming

• Fonts designed for dyslexia can help.o Video that demonstrates how the fonts worko Try the font outo Free font pack

EDUC W200 Week 14

GENERAL LEARNING DISABILITIES

• Graphic organizers o Mind Mapping, Brainstorming (e.g., Inspiration)

• Text readerso Type-and-speak writing assistant (e.g.,

Co:Writer 4000)o E-text readers (e.g., Universal Reader Plus)

• Books on CD/Recorded books• Alarms or Organizers

o Calendars