ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Resources to enhance students’ educational experience

Presentation will include:

Integration

Least Restrictive Environment

Common Disabilities in k - 12 Class setting

Assistive Technologies

Overview of Integration

Passage of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)

Provides an opportunity for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which will assist in achieving academic expectations

“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 ("Individualized education plans," 2010).”

Inclusion Defined

“Commitment to educate each child, to the maximum extent appropriate, in the school and classroom he or she would otherwise attend.”

“Involves bringing the support services to the child (rather than moving the child to the services) and requires only that the child will benefit from being in the class (rather than having to keep up with the other students) ("Special education inclusion," 2007). “

Least Restrictive Environment

“A child with a disability should be served in the regular classroom with as much interaction with his or her non-handicapped classmates as possible. A child with a disability may only be removed from the regular classroom when the nature or severity of the disability is such that the education in regular classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily, even with the use of supplementary aids and services. However, for specific areas of intensive training, it is appropriate to remove a child from the regular classroom (Newton, 1997).”

Why Integrate, Include, and Least Restrictive Environment It is important to incorporate a child into

a normal environment, and not segregate a child due to his or her differences.

Children with disabilities will benefit from the interaction with other children.

Common Disabilities found in k - 12 Classroom

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

Auditory Disability

Learning Disabilities: Reading and Writing

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) “ADHD is a common behavioral disorder

that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why ("What is Adhd," 2010).”

“Kids with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what's expected of them but have trouble following through because they can't sit still, pay attention, or attend to details ("What is Adhd," 2010).”

Auditory Disability

“In the first few years of life, hearing is a critical part of kids' social, emotional, and cognitive development. Even a mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child's ability to speak and understand language ("Hearing evaluation in children," 2010).”

“The good news is, hearing problems can be treated if they're caught early — ideally by the time a baby is 3 months old. So it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and evaluated regularly ("Hearing evaluation in children," 2010).”

Learning Disabilities

“Learning Disabilities (LD) are neurologically-based processing problems. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing, or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, and abstract reasoning ("Types of learning disabilities," 2010).”

What is Assistive Technology

According to the Assistive Technology Act of 1988, assistive technology refers to "any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities ("Assistive technology for the classroom," 2006).“

Assistive Techniques for Students

Non-Technology Based Tools- utilize little or no technology to assist with disability

Technology Based Tools- utilize a large amount of technology to assist with disability

Non-Technology Based ToolsADHD

A quiet and uncluttered work space

Purchased texts that can be marked witha highlighter

Homework assignment diary coordinated between home and school

Personally-developed date-book or scheduler

("Types of learning disabilities," 2010)

Non-Technology Based ToolsAuditory Disability

Written directions

Overhead projection for visuals

Visual warning systems to signalemergencies, such as flashing lights

Personal signer for sign language

(Lynne, 2007)

Non-Technology Based ToolsLearning Disabilities: Reading and Writing

Read-along technique- taped texts and materials allow learning of printed materials

Fellow student sharing notes Language games that encourage

identification of rhyming words and creation of rhymes

Reading instruction in a small group or tutoring setting

("Types of learning disabilities," 2010)

Technology Based ToolsADHD

Word prediction- reduces key strokes on the computer or may allow only selective vocabulary

TouchWindow- allows a computer to be manipulated via touch screen

Talking computer software- maintains a students attention through audio in additional to graphical representation

(Ayers, 2009)

Technology Based ToolsAuditory Disability

Personal frequency modulation (FM) systems- uses specific frequencies to transmit sound to a receiver

Closed Caption Decoder- allows for audio to be turned into text

Induction Loop Systems- uses a cable system to transmit sound to specific location, commonly transmitted via microphone

("Hearing assistive technology," 2009) ("Tools for deaf and hard-of-hearing," 2010)

Technology Based ToolsLearning Disabilities: Reading and Writing

Word Processing- allows a student to see spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, etc.

Text to speech- allows text to be manipulated into spoken word

Drafting- allows a student to put their ideas into written form

("Techmatrix product features," 2010)

Resources Assistive technology for the classroom. (2006). Retrieved from

http://www.landmark.edu/institute/assistive_technology/index.html

Ayers, M. (2009, June 14). Assistive technology in the classroom for adhd students. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/x-13056-West-Palm-Beach-K12-EducationExaminer~y2009m6d14-Assistive-technology-in-the-classroom-for-ADHD-students

Hearing assistive technology. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm

Hearing evaluation in children. (2010). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/hear.html

Individualized education plans (ieps). (2010). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html

Lynne, B. (2007, March 18). Technology for hearing impaired. Retrieved from http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/technology_for_hearing_impaired

Newton, C. (1997). Special education legal primer. Findcounseling.com Mental Health Journal, (1997), Retrieved from http://www.findcounseling.com/journal/sped/least.html

Special education inclusion. (2007, March 15). Retrieved from http://www.weac.org/Issues_Advocacy/Resource_Pages_On_Issues_One/Special_Educ ation/special_education_inclusion.aspx

Techmatrix product features. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.techmatrix.org/aboutProductFeatures.aspx#1

Tools for deaf and hard-of-hearing. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.oln.org/ILT/ada/Fame/web/f3_36_374.html