assistive technology
TRANSCRIPT
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