“Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabilities can be made more effective by ...supporting the development and use of technology, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.” (IDEA, 2004)Using a variety of technological tools, students with special needs are able to get help that focuses on their specific need area. For example, children with autism have a variety of tools available. Using pictures, students can have their days outlined in front of them, so they always know what is coming next. Visual calendars also help students with autism see ahead for the month, giving them a routine schedule they can rely on.
The talk pad uses pictures and creates a story format, using the left to right movement, helping students understand sequencing. The buttons can have a prerecorded story, forcing the student to find the correlating picture, and using Velcro, students can put the story in order. If students need to be challenged, instead of using pictures, sentences can be used, helping the students read a story in sequence, left to right.(Stokes, 2011)
There will always be improvements in the technology field, and as teachers, we will not be able to stay up to date 100% of the time. However, when we share what we know with other teachers, we are bound to find good ideas. Using help from the resource teachers, we can incorporate the variety of needs in our classroom, so our students can learn to the best of their abilities.
"Assistive Technology in Education." Assistive Technology Partnership - ATP - Home - About Us. Assistive Technology Partnership, 2008. Web. 28 June 2011. atp.ne.gov/techassist/intro.html>.
"Sec. 601 SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; FINDINGS; PURPOSES." IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. U.S. Department of Education, 2004. Web. 28 June 2011.
Stokes, Susan. "Assistive Technology for Children with Autism." CESA #7 Special Education Services Index. CESA #7, 30 June 2011. Web. 28 June 2011. specialed.us/autism/assist/asst15.htm>.
I also looked at assistive technologies for autistic students and was interested to see that in a lot of websites they mentioned there wasn't a lot of them. For the most part they had computer programs and talking cards for social situations. It was good to see a few more on your blog. I hope that many more are produced eventually to help these students because they need everything we can give them.
ReplyDeleteWow I have never seen one of those. That seems like it would be really great at helping them with order and also it looks like a toy! It is kind of like lining up playing cards or blocks or something. Also, I think that you did a great job at summarizing the fundamentals of assistive technology. Someone who had never heard of it could come to your page and fully understand its concept. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteI like the comment you wrote about that says AT should be considered for each child on an IEP. Just like IEP, I believe that every child should be on an individualized education plan and assistive technology should be considered for every child regardless of having a disability or not. If technology can help any child become better at learning something then it should be included in their lessons.Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of a talk pad before, but they seem great. There seems to be so much new technology available for AT. It is good to see all that technology advancement used for a good cause. I am glad that you mentioned IDEA, because that is what pushes all of these new technological developments.
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