assistive technology
DESCRIPTION
Assistive technology and instructional practices for teaching students with disabilities (specifically ADHD, learning disabilities, and auditory disabilities)TRANSCRIPT
Meeting Special Needs in the Classroom
12% of people in the United States have a disability.
12%
12% = 37,627,800 people
3,608,400 are between
the ages of 5 and 20.
IDEA* defines 13 categories of disabilities.
*IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Learning disabilities
Physical impairments
Speech or language
impairments
Intellectual disabilities
Emotional disturbance
Multiple disabilities
Hearing impairments
Other health impairments
Visual impairments Autism Deaf/Blindness Traumatic
brain injury
Developmental delays
How can we meet the needs
of so many different students?
Assistive Technologyand
Instructional Practices
Assistive TechnologyAny device, equipment, or service that improves the learning and capabilities of students with disabilities.
These can be
Low-Tech
Mid-Tech
High-Tech
Instructional PracticesInstructional practices are specific teaching methods that guide interaction in the classroom. Includes:• Programs• Interventions• Strategies• Activities
Let’s move on to the specific needs of your classroom.
Symptoms include
Easily distractedMakes careless
mistakesDifficulty
organizingLosing items
Fidgets with hands or feet
Talks excessively
Constantly “on the go”
Interrupting others
Difficulty waiting for turn
Giving answers before the question is
finished
Assistive TechnologyBouncy, inflatable seat cushion• Students put energy in squirming on it but stay in
their seat
“Koosh ball” or other squishy thing to manipulate
Highlighters to highlight directions or important words or phrases
Create a “window” in a piece of cardboard to expose only one or two lines of print.
Instructional PracticesReduce seating
distractions
Sit the child near the teacher rather than the
window
Break down assignments
Keep instructions
clear and brief
Break down large tasks into
small pieces
Assign a “study buddy”
Study buddy reminds and
assists
Use alert clues
Gains the students attention
Learning Disabilities
Students with learning
disabilities have average or
about-average intelligence BUT still struggle to acquire certain
skills.
• Listening• Speaking• Reading• Writing• Spelling• Reasoning • Mathematics
Types of Learning Disabilities• Processing languageDyslexia• Math skillsDyscalculia• Written expressionsDysgraphia• Fine motor skillsDyspraxia• Interpreting auditory informationAuditory Processing
Disorder
• Interpreting visual informationVisual Processing Disorder
• Concentration and focusADHD
Graphic organizers
and outlining
Word processing programs
Alternative keyboards Audio books
Speech-recognition
software
Variable speed tape recorders
Assistive Technology
Allow verbal responses
Allow frequent breaks
Provide a space with minimal distractions
Provide on-task/focusing prompts
Break down large tasks into smaller segments
Instructional Practices
Auditory Disabilities
Otitis Media
Ear infections
Congenital Causes Hereditary Prenatal
infections Illnesses Toxins
Acquired Causes Disease Condition Injury
Causes of Hearing Loss
Distinguishing one sound
from another
Identifying similarities and differences in
sound patterns
Blending, isolating, or separating sounds in
words
Auditory memory
Students with hearing loss may have problems with . . .
Hearing Assistive
Technology System
Speaker wears a microphone that relays sounds directly to the
individual’s hearing aid.
Computerized speech
recognition
The computer changes spoken messages into readable text
documents
Closed-captioning on TV or videos
Text is displayed for spoken dialogue and sounds
Assistive Technology
Face the student
Reduce noise
Well lit room
Small group work
Instructional Practices
ReferencesAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2014). “Hearing Assistive Technology.” Retrieved Oct 01, 2014 from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Assistive-Technology/
Behrmann, M., Jerome, M. C. (2002). “Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities” ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education Arlington VA. Retrieved Oct 01, 2014 from http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
Erickson, W., Lee, C., von Schrader, S. (2014). Disability Statistics from the 2012 American Community Survey (ACS). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute (EDI). Retrieved Oct 01, 2014 from www.disabilitystatistics.org
Friend, M. (2014). Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals. (4th edition). New Jersey: Pearson.
GreatSchools.org (2014). “Assistive Technology.” Oakland, CA.
LD Online (2010). “Accommodations for Students with LD.” National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities. Washington, D.C. Retrieved Oct 01, 2014 at http://www.ldonline.org/article/Accommodations_for_Students_with_LD
North Shore Pediatric Therapy. (2014). “ADHDInfographic.com” Retrieved Oct 01, 2014.
Richert, Kit. (2014). “How to Help Your Student with an Auditory Processing Disorder.” Teaching Community. Retrieved Oct 02, 2014 from http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/2324-how-to-help-your-student-with-an-auditory-processing-disorder