Assistive Technology for School-Based Therapists

1. Assistive Technology forSchool-Based Therapists Presented by Susan Chynoweth COTA/L, ATS Jennifer Kraft, Education Technology Facilitator

2. Definition of Assistive Technology Assistive technology is a device and/or service that is determined by an IEP team to be necessary to provide a student with educationally relevant and necessary access to a free and appropriate education (FAPE) in a least restrictive environment (LRE). Assistive technology services must be considered for any student receiving special education. IDEA, 1997

3. Definition of Assistive Technology “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.“ “Technology-Related Assistance for Individual with Disabilities Act (Tech Act)”

4. Assistive Technology : • Must be considered at every IEP meeting • Be educationally relevant • Least Restrictive Environment • Assessment must be done before any commitment to device or software • Trial use • Ultimate determination by IEP team • Implementation • Must be periodically reassessed

5. SETT Framework Helps to organize AT assessment/intervention • S - Student • E - Environment • T- Task • T - Tools

6. SETT Framework Student • What does the student need to do? • What are the student’s special needs? • What are the student’s current abilities?

7. SETT Framework Environment • What materials and equipment are currently available at school? • What is the physical arrangement? • What is the instructional content? • What supports are available to the student?

8. SETT Framework Tasks • What activities need to take place? • What modifications can be made? • How can AT support participation?

9. SETT Framework Tools • What has already been tried? No tech, low tech, high tech options? • Success/Failure? Why?

10. Types of Assistive Technology • No tech Requires no special or adapted equipment; changes in environment, positioning; change in routine • Low tech Often homemade simple equipment or modifications, and simple, easy to use, inexpensive devices • High tech Sophisticated, electronic, interactive devices; often requires extensive training

11. Types of Assistive Technology “ It is important to realize that by law all of these devices are assistive technologies and that a no-tech device has as much value as a high tech one for users who find the device has enhanced their functioning, independence, and quality of life.” Scherer 1996

12. Areas of Intervention • Early Intervention/Pre-school • Writing in any subject • Communication • Reading • Math • Music/Art • Gym/play/mobility

13. Early Intervention & Pre-School

14. AT& Early Intervention/Pre-school • Helps young children learn that they can play, communicate, interact, control their world and do what other children do; • Helps families by focusing on the child's functional skills; • Helps children to be more interactive with their family and others. • Helps providers, since it facilitates including children with disabilities in typical environments and activities and helps them pursue functional goals. Armstrong and Jones http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/PATP.htm

15. AT& Early Intervention/Pre-school • Switches • Communication devices • Adapted toys • Positioning devices • Mobility aids

16. Writing

17. Writing – No Tech • Lying in prone on floor, propped on elbows • Working in vertical • Proper desk/chair height • Utensil options, i.e. mechanical pencils, softer/harder lead, markers, thicker/thinner pencils

18. Writing – Low Tech Slant board

19. Writing-Low Tech PVC Adapted Holder Adapted utensil holder

20. Writing-Low Tech Sponge ball grip

21. Writing-Low Tech Writing Template (right) Stay put folder (left)

22. Writing-Low Tech Other low tech options • Adapted paper, i.e. graph paper, raised line, multi colored or highlighted lines • Chalk board • Buddy notes • Keyguards, keycaps, moisture guards

23. Writing-Low Tech • Various pencil grips • Built-up or weighted pencils • Alternative utensils • And many more! Use your creativity!

24. Writing- High Tech • Portable word processors • Portable notetakers / Digital recorder • Word processor • Talking word processor • Word processor with word prediction • Speech recognition

25. Writing- High Tech EdgeWrite AlphaSmart PDA’s, portable notetakers Dana

26. Writing- High Tech Computers and any of the following modifications: • Alternative keyboards • Mouse alternatives • Specialized input systems • Specialized word processing software • Standard operating system adaptations

27. Alternative keyboards Big Keys Mini Tash Intellikeys Little Fingers

28. Word Prediction

29. Writing- High Tech With standard operating system adaptations, you can make changes to: • Display • Mouse pointer • Keyboard • Accessibility Options

30. Writing- High Tech Check out your computers standard operating system adaptations first!

32. Writing- High Tech Go to Programs/Accessories/Accessibility • Accessibility Wizard to help set up your computer for vision, hearing, or mobility problems. • Magnifier • Narrator (Windows 2000/XP) - text-to-speech utility to hear the contents of Windows programs including the active window, menu options or text that has been typed • On Screen Keyboard (Windows 2000/XP)

34. Communication

35. Communication • Communication boards/books • Simple voice output device • Voice Output Device with Static Displays • Voice Output Device with Dynamic Display • Talking Picture Frame

36. Occupational Therapist? AAC – Whose Job Is It Anyway? Communication Speech-language Pathologist?

37. How will the person activate the device and select the appropriate vocabulary? How will the person carry or transport device? Will the person need integrated controls? Communication OT = Access Considerations

38. Communication-Low Tech Photo Cosmetic Bag Keychain Communication Bag Tempo Loop Tray Talking Picture Frames

39. Communication – Mid/High Tech 1 by 4 Talker DynaMyte Cheap Talk

40. AT & Reading

41. Reading – Low Tech • Page Up (vertical) • Angle display • Magnification • Reading guides • Colored acetate

42. Reading – Low Tech Vertical/angled display

43. Reading – High Tech • Reading Pens • Computers – check your standard operating system for built-in accommodations • Screen/text readers • Digital books • Audio books

44. AT & Math

45. Math-Low Tech • Graph paper • Notebook paper turned sideways to form columns • Number stamps • Magnetic numbers • Plexiglass rulers with color coded increments

46. Math-High Tech • Talking calculators (hand held or online) • Programs/Accessories/Calculator – standard and scientific calculators • CalcuScribe – interactive calculator/word processor • Webmath – online math problem solver

47. Math-High Tech Software, i.e. MathPad for Intellikeys

48. Music & Art

49. Music – Low Tech Velcro around handle and on glove Built up handles

50. Music – Low Tech • Splinting material or Sculpey clay to reshape handles • Soft hair band stretched across back of hand and looped around each end of utensil in palm • Bells sewn to mittens • Hanging rattles, chimes, bells from dowel; can use gross swiping motion • Key extenders out of popsicle sticks, or by using a knob strapped between fingers to use keyboard