Assistive technology

Working with students who have

special needsBy: Che King

Students with special needs

• learning disabilities

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• emotional disorders

• cognitive challenges

• autism

• hearing impairment

• visual impairment

• speech or language impairment

• developmental delay

• In the educational setting, students with special needs are considered to have medical, mental, emotional, or psychological disabilities that affect their ability to learn.

• Range in level of intensity and include:

Individualized Educational Plan

IEP: What is it?

• IEP describes the goals the team set for a child (with special needs) during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.

• It is tailored to the need of the student and is used to help the teacher under his/her specific disability and how it affects learning.

• Student has to already be identified as a special needs student in order to have an IEP developed.

• It is crucial that all parties (parents, the student, and teachers) participate in order for the plan to be effective

IEP: Implementation

• Students are to be place in the least restrictive environment possible which con be any of the following:• Being placed in a regular classroom and have someone come into

the classroom to assist them

• Being place in a regular classroom but leaving to go to a special classroom for help in various subjects

• Or being placed in a classroom specifically for special needs

Assistive Technology

AT: What is it?• Any item, piece of equipment, or product system (whether

acquired off the shelf, modified, or customized) that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

• Categorized as no technology, low technology, or high technology

High and Low Technology in the classroom

• Word Talk and Supernova – Reads aloud documents to students

• Word Prediction – Helps students who have writing challenges

• Ebooks and Apps - Apps can be utilized with accessibility features such as Voice-Over, text to speech, Zoom/ Magnification, and Highlighting

No TechnologyClick icon to add picture

• Games and Hand on activities

• Activates where students have to get out of their seats and are able move around

• Note cards

• Organizers

• Labels

Works Cited

• Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

• http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

• http://www.teachthought.com/technology/8-helpful-assistive-technology-tools-for-your-classroom/