Introduction

Using Assistive Technology to enhance the educational experience of special

need students in the classroom.

Incorporating Assistive Technology

• Assistive Technology can be a very helpful tool for teachers who have mild disabilities in their classroom. Assistive technology is any item used to improve the functional capabilities of a student.

• Assistive technology can help students feel fully included in the classroom.

• AT’s also help students become more independent and self confident in the classroom.

• (Eric Digest, 2002)

Examples of Assistive Technology

• AT devices can range from non technical to very technical in nature. Example of nontechnical AT could include note taking where students can simply follow an outline provided by the teacher. A low tech AT solution would be allowing students to use an ipadto work on the mechanics of writing. A high tech AT would be allowing students to participate in virtual reality software that allows them to work on speech and visual skills.

• (Eric Digest, 2002)

Assistive Technology Resources for Special Needs Students

• There are many technical solutions and resources for teachers to support student achievement and success in their education.

• Computers, ipads, text to speech softwarem, voice recognition and voice magnification, adjustable furniture, desks, writing tools, adaptive keyboards and mice are just a few of many At resources at a teacher’s disposal.

• (Eric, 2002)

Helpful AT for Children with ADHD

• Teachers can incorporate behavioral strategies that can help students with ADHD focus and succeed.

• Teachers can begin by creating a routine and posting it somewhere they can observe so that students can know what to expect of them each day.

• Teachers can use goals and rewards to help incentivize their students to display appropriate behavior.

• Discipline students who do not display appropriate behavior like taking away certain classroom privileges for a short period of time.

• Encourage students’ talents and praise their behavior when it is good.

• (Kids health, 2014)

AT for Children with Mild Disabilities

• Microsoft word can be a very helpful assistive tool for students who have mild learning disabilities or reading and writing disabilities.

• Word can help students with mechanics, spelling, grammar and other reading and writing barriers they may need to overcome.

• Word can also be used to help motivate students to be creative and interested in writing.

• (Kids health, 2014)

AT for Children with Auditory Disabilities

• There are many ways teachers can employ assistive technology in the classroom to help students with auditory disabilities.

• Make sure the distance between you and your students in minimal. Always keep in mind the farther away you are to your students the harder it will be for them to hear you.

• Try to avoid background noises like classroom chatter, adjacent classroom noise, loud heating and air conditioning ventilation, and so forth so students do not have to strain to hear you.

• Decorate your classroom with rugs, carpeting, upholstered furniture and other items that will help absorb noise so your classroom has good acoustics which can greatly affect how your students hear.

• Teachers can also incorporate voice magnification software for hearing impaired students in the classroom.

• (Asha.org, 2014)

Online Web Resources for Students with Disabilites

• Teachervision. Com is a wonderful website that teachers can use to help students with special needs.

• This site has many educational tools and resources that can help teachers come up with helpful strategies for students with special needs.

• The site has ready to use lesson plans, themes, newsletters, slideshows, clip art, graphic organizers and printable exercises tailored for each grade.

• (Teachervision.com, 2014)

Online Web Resources for Students with Disabilities cont.

• Idaamerica.org is also a great online resource for teachers who have students with learning disabilities.

• This website helps teachers focus on their students individual achievement goals and tracks progress for their students ultimate success.

• The website offers educators access to journals, resources on teaching, professional organizations, state resources, and disability rights and advocacy research.

• Idaamerica.org, 2014)

Conclusion

• There are many tools and resources at teachers disposal that can help enhance the educational level and opportunities for children who have special needs.

• Assistive technology devices are a great way for teachers to incorporate learning devices that can help them modify learning activities that address their students unique needs.

• Online resources and websites are also available for teachers that can provide support to educators as well as help encourage and enhance student learning and achievement.

References

• American Speech Language Impaired Association, Hearing Assistive Technology, retreieved September 20, 2014,

from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm

• Ericdigests, Assistive Technology for students with mild disabilities, 2002, retrieved September 19, 2014, from

http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

• Kidshealth, Individualized Educational Programs, retrieved September 18, 2014, from

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html

• Learning Disabilities Associates of America, retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://ldaamerica.org/educators/

• TeacherVision, Retrieved September 20, 2014, from https://www.teachervision.com/special-education/teacher-

resources/6640.html?detoured=1