AT Modules.....

AT Assessment in the School Environment:
This module discusses the purpose of AT assessment is to find technology options that will work for a student with disabilities. Any AT options should improve, increase, or maintain student functioning. Individuals who receive AT experience better control of their lives, can contribute more fully to the environment around them, and be better equipped to participate in home, school, work, and community settings. Only after the student is able to interact with the AT device can the team begin to make informed decisions about assistive technology options.


AT Consideration in the IEP Process:
IDEA requires that IEP teams consider whether assistive technology is needed for each student. AT consideration gives students tools that offers access to the general education curriculum. Assistive technology gives students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the LRE. If there are any continuing barriers to learning, the IEP team considers AT solutions. These can be in the form of devices or services. IEP teams need to also be familiar with AT choices.


ASR:
This module gives an overview of automatic speech recognition which benefits those who struggle with the mechanics of writing and spelling as well as those with physical access difficulties. ASR software has improved over the past 5 years so if it didn't work previously candidates should get re-evaluated. I learned that the software for ASR is either built into both the Windows and Mac operating systems or the cost is very cheap. Common types of ASR include Dragon Naturally Speaking Software, SpeakQ, and WordQ. It is also important to consider, the impact of ASR in the disabled person's environment, the training required and that the whole process can be complicated.

http://www.atinternetmodules.org/

iPads for special needs

The video above discusses how teachers at one school feel about the introduction of iPads for special needs students. During the video, teachers express how barriers are broken down for students. Students who wouldn't ordinarily interact were now very happy and excited to use them. Students find them them cool and flashy. Students are willing participants as they enjoy the interactive games and apps.

Additionally, I also read an article from a parent of a special needs from Parents magazine. She advocated for iPads in her son's school as a tool to benefit their children and improve their lives, especially the speech apps, which are worth pushing for. The article also gives suggestions to get iPads for their school such as grant writing and organizations such as DonorsChose.org

Seidman, E. (2011, November 18). IPads For Kids With Special Needs: Get your School Into Them [Electronic version].Parents.

Other Common Types of AT

7. Adapted Keyboard- The standard QWERTY keyboard may work well for most students, however for students with moderate to severe disabilities alternative options must be found. There are several categories of expanded keyboards, one-handed keyboards, on-screen keyboards, and mini-keyboards. A very popular brand of the expanded keyboards is Intellikeys that uses overlays. These overlays are pre-printed keyboard layouts that can be substituted for the standard QWERTY overlay or a customized overlay. The expanded keyboard differs by the tactile or auditory feedback students receive when they make a keystroke. Adapted keyboards are used for a range students with disabilities.  Many students who use adapted keyboards have poor fine motor skills or control, cognitive deficits, have no range of motion, can only use one hand, or can't use a standard keyboard.

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom (second ed., pp. 185-193). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.,.

8. Portable Word Processor- This lightweight assistive technology device is helpful to kids who have difficulty writing. The Forte portable processor allows students to build keyboarding skills and develop their writing skills. Digital writing with the convenience of portability seems like the perfect low-tech type of AT for students with high-incidence disabilities. There are no games, no Internet, and therefore very little distractions. This device is beneficial for students with attention deficits, spelling difficulties, and poor fine motor skills.

tp://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/961-portable-word-processors.gs

9. Assisted Literacy Software- I found this great program called Literacy Lab. It's a comprehensive literacy instructional program designed to help all students including diverse learners with intellectual, physical, or communication challenges. This program provides beginning literacy instruction based on science and social studies. This program is researched-based and is aligned with common core state standards. It is also ideal as an RTI and ELL intervention.

10. Voice Output Communication Device- Many students with Autism, developmental disabilities, and other acquired disabilities use voice output communication devices to communicate. They help non-verbal students overcome their unique communication barriers. The auditory output gives sensory feedback to help students develop language skills. Some other advantages of voice-output communication devices include clarity of communication, improved receptive language, motor sensory integration principles, development of literacy, and increased verbal speech. DynaVox is the leading provider of speech-generating devices.

11. Type to Learn Software to Teach Keyboarding Skills- Learning how to type seems to be a forgotten skill. Learning keyboarding skills is vital for today's learners. Typing software is a great way for students to build typing skills. Many keyboarding games teach these skills through a variety of online games as well as typing lessons. Many of the popular software programs provide timed-test, dictation practice, speed lessons, and progress reporting.

12. Electronic Touch Tablet- Many of the electronic touch tablets offered are for young children. They offer students the opportunity to learn letters and beginning literacy skills with phonics and letter sounds. The games are interactive and engaging for students. The screen is touch sensitive and young students will grasps concepts quicker and faster. Did I mention how fun these games can be? Young children are made to feel like a big boy or girl because they are using a real computer. Electronic tablets are cheaper and they run on batteries.

Common Types of AT....

Here are some of the commonly found assistive technology devices used in the classroom:

1. Word Prediction Software- This type of software helps during word processing by predicting a word the user plans to type. Think about when you are texting on your phone how the words pop up before you are even done typing the word. Doesn't this help save time? It also helps me spell certain words I sometimes misspell. This type of tool is great for students who struggle with writing primarily.

Products to Consider: Aurora Suite, CO: Writer SOLO

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/966-word-prediction-software-programs.gs

2. Talking word processor software- Three frequently used talking word processing programs include Classroom Suite (IntelliTools), WriteOutLoud (DonJohnston), and Talking Word Processor (Premier Assistive Technology). Talking word processing software programs such as these help benefit students who experience difficulty editing their written composition. Talking word processing software gives students the opportunity to hear exactly what they wrote.

http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/WS-Talking-Word-Processing-Software.aspx

3. Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software- We have all heard of Dragon Speech Recognition Software. I have seen the commercials so many times myself. However, it wasn't until I started this blog and began researching various AT devices did I fully understand what naturally speaking voice recognition software was. Students with limited writing or fine motor capabilities would find this piece of technology very useful. Dragon is actually the world's best-selling speech recognition software. All it does is turn your talk into text and makes any computer talk easier and faster.

http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm    

4. Scan and read software- Kurzweil one of the more popular brands uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software that offers multi-sensory approach and access to text. This software provides scanned print documents with the original layout and format which then reads those documents aloud. Viewers have access to everyday reading materials, classroom curriculum, or workplace documents. This software gives students as well as adults with reading difficulties, blindness, and vision impairment opportunities to read that they didn't have before.

http://www.kurzweiledu.com/special/texttospeech/

5. Books on CD- Now this is an oldie but goodie I can relate to unlike some of the previously mentioned products. Sometimes it's easy to feel out of touch or out of the loop with modern technology. Even some special educators are very uncomfortable with assistive technology. Many schools, public libraries, publishing, and software companies offer books on CD. Students who can't decode, read fluently, or on grade level would benefit greatly from this type of adaptions. There are too many companies and brands to mention here.

6. Multi-Sensory Educational Software- I searched online and found a ton of software programs described as being multi-sensory educational programs for sale. They range from teaching children to read to science to math. Many can be customized for individual use, on laptops, or in any classroom. Some are equipped with interactive Whiteboards. Most of these programs are targeted toward students with Dyslexia or other types of learning disabilities. However, I also see these as helping students with executive functioning difficulties, attention disorders, or even just pure tactile learners who need to be  stimulated. Boundless Assistive Technology offers ClaroRead for Mac and PC.

http://www.boundlessat.com/Learning/Writing

Literacy Lab Tutorial

While on this site, I scrolled down and began the Literacy Lab Demo. I love this program because it's so inviting and engaging. First you must choose a unit. The unit choices are animals, habitat, land and water, and community. Once you chose a unit you chose a level. There are 3 levels. That means you get 114 activities per unit. This is so awesome because students have numerous opportunities to grow and develop. The program is designed to last throughout the school year. I weaved in and out of the levels and various units effortlessly. I like that the program is very interactive. The pictures are very colorful and age-appropriate. Students not only are shown pictures but are given corresponding words and audio which is supportive of all learners. I could definitely see myself using this program with some of my special needs students and struggling learners.

iPad Apps for Autistic and Nonverbal Children

Having Fun with I-Pad Apps!!

This was such a great and informative video. It's a little long, however, if you have some free time while cooking or just moving around the house you should definitely check this video out. That's exactly what I did. The speaker introduces us to the world of the I-Pad. Now this is not the same I-Pad you and I may know and use because this I-Pad is like a key that opens the lock to the unknown world of students with special needs. Although the speaker mainly works with the preschool population, some of the apps in the video presentation can be used with school-age students such as playing the drums which encourage isolated finger pointing.

Throughout the video, we see many great kid-friendly apps such as Duck Duck Moose which plays interactive popular songs and helps students who wouldn't ordinarily be able to participate at circle time. Also, apps like Going Places tells social stories which are helpful to students with Autism. The speaker really draws you into the world of special needs students and their connection to the I-Pad. The way so many teachers and parents are able to connect with children who normally wouldn't interact and communicate is extraordinary. This is certainly a video worth watching.

Assistive Technology For Computer Access

What is the assistive technology continuum? In my last post, I discussed how some operating systems can be adjusted to provide computer access to students. However, even with all of the modifications and adaptations I discussed some students require additional adaptations to be successful computer users. The assistive technology continuum refers to the range of adaptations from the low-tech end progressing to mid-tech and high-tech. When considering assistive technology solutions for students with special needs, the continuum should be considered starting from low-tech adaptations which require no electronic components all the way through alternatives to input and output options for the blind and visually impaired such as the braille embosser pictured here:



There are also alternative keyboards options and alternative input and output devices for students who need specific adaptations. What I found really great were the mouse alternatives available as well. Students who can't use their hands or who can see and follow the movements of the mouse-pointer can use head-pointing systems. The eye-gaze systems are also good to use for this population of students. Students who are young, have poor fine motor skills but good gross motor skills, and students with limited range of motion can use mini-trackballs, standard trackballs, and adapted trackballs.

I Didn't Know My Computer Could Do That!!!

Did you know that Apple and Microsoft both state in their accessibility statements that they are committed to promoting computer access for individuals with disabilities? Well I certainly didn't. I knew that my computer had all these features that I never used or understood their function. In regards to universal design, both Macintosh and Windows offer features that facilitate computer access for all students. The principle flexibility-in-use guideline of universal design is available in both operating systems. First you can control the computer with a mouse or keyboard. This is perfect for students with fine motor control and limited range of motion. Second, you can enlarge icons which is perfect for students with visual impairments. Third, you have text-to-speech features that can assist students with reading difficulties or attention deficits.

Additionally, Macintosh OS X offers accessibility features through Universal Access and Windows 7 offers accessibility features through Ease of Access Center. In both you will find additional operating system features for users with disabilities. Some of the features offered are keyboard and mouse control modifications, and modifications for students with sensory impairments such as blindness and deafness..

These features can help accommodate students who have use of only one hand, tremors, muscle weakness, as well as poor fine and gross motor control. 

Obstacles To Learning....

Imagine only being able to understand what someone is saying by just reading their lips. Now what happens if they turn around? These are one of many obstacles that students who are hard of hearing face in a typical classroom. Students who are hard of hearing don't typically use sign language. They normally use hearing aids and the skill of lip-reading. Unfortunately, many hard of hearing students have difficulty following lectures and having one on one conversations. This is especially the case if the acoustics of the room are poor which causes the hearing aid not to work or the teacher speaks in a tone the student can't understand.

So teachers the next time you turn your back to the class or are moving all around the classroom think about that student who is trying their best to fit in and be like all the other students. They may not speak up and say, " Hey I can't hear the video" or they don't have anything to say during a class discussion because they can't hear what is being said.

Here are a few strategies that teachers can practice if they have a student with an assistive learning device:
1. Find out as much as you can about that particular device. You should actually become an expert!
2. Learn how to position the microphone. It may sound simple but it really isn't.
3. Discuss with the parents and the multidisciplinary team ahead of time how it will be used.
4. If possible talk to an audiologist. They can offer you some insight on the entire process.
5. Try the device out ahead of time and check in periodically to make sure it works.
6. Establish routines and procedures for students to speak in class. Discuss how the listening device will help the particular student in class.