Assistive Technology for Dyslexia: One Mother’s Story
This short video provides a mother's perspective on Assistive Technology from www.Understood.org. Her message is powerful and practical. Assistive Technology can open doors for people with disabilities and provide many access to school, work, home, and play that they deserve. Watch below!
Learning more about AT
Finding assistive technology that works for a child is essential to their success. Parents (as well as unknowing professionals) can benefit from learning more about AT and Universal Design for Learning. Often AT is built into computers, software (e.g. Microsoft Office and Google Suite of tools like Docs), and mobile devices (e.g. tablets and smartphones). Many options exist and should be linked to functional and curricular goals. In short, evaluating how will the technology provide greater access and participation (e.g., socializing, mobility, learning and expressing knowledge, communicating etc.)? Parents can advocate for AT by learning about:
Understood is a website for families caring for and people working with children who have learning and attention issues. Understood is the collaboration of 15 non-profit organizations including: Benetech, CAST, inc, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Reading Rockets, National Center on Learning Disabilities, and Common Sense media. The website is mostly geared to a parent audience with dedicated areas:
Learning and Attention Issues - Provides an overview of issues, signs, symptoms, challenges, approaches to learning and treatment options, and personal stories.
School and Learning - Shares information about how to partner with school professionals, evaluations, special services, the law and children's rights, choosing schools or home schooling, tutors, and assistive technology.
Friends and Feelings - Describes common challenges like bullying, self control, and social norms, empowerment, managing feelings and social situations, and advice for teens and tweens.
You and Your Family - Talks about managing everyday challenges like chores, when grandparents are the parents, and babysitters, outings, fighting and behavior management, siblings, and parents' relationships and self care.
Expert Chats and Webinars - Lists webinars, facebook chats and more that support understanding learning and attention issues, like ADHD.
By: Teresa Loos , EC-SEAT Scholar Part of teaching children with special needs includes providing them with a least restrictive environment in which they have access to the curriculum, opportunities to participate, and can be supported and accommodated in their education. As an educator, I live by Universal Design for Learning and the National Association of Education for Young Children and the Division for Early Childhood’s Position Statement on Inclusion , which ensures that children with special needs have access, participation, and support. When people think of assistive technology, the assumption is some sort of device they can use. However, according the Assistive Technology: principles and practices, assistive technology is a broad range of devices, services, strategies, or practices that can be implemented to eliminate or alleviate problems of an individual with special needs (Cook & Hussey, 2002). Assistive technology can also be low-tech and does not require a d
By: Melissa Giconda , EC-SEAT Scholar App Name: TouchChat HD Where: Google Play Store Link: https://touchchatapp.com/apps/touchchat-hd-aac Cost: $149.99 (USD + tax) About the app: TouchChat HD is an app that functions as a communication tool for those with communication impairments. This app is used to help children or students who may be non-verbal. It helps students to be able to communicate without actually being physically verbal . It has many options to edit vocabulary and is limitless with flexibility; you are allowed the opportunity to add familiar people, places, snacks, and much more. It is simple enough for a student who has the ability to read written language but also accommodates students who are pre-reading (or not reading at all) and allows them to select icons based on pictures. TouchChat provides both English and Spanish options in one universal app supporting iPhone®, iPod®, and iPad®. Positive: TouchChat HD is easily able to be per
Watch the following 5-minute interview with Dr. Therese Willkomm, ATP to learn about the difference between Assistive Technology vs. Instructional Technology and how it relates to Universal Design for Learning. Dr. Therese Willkomm, ATP - Assistive Technology vs. Instructional Technology and Universal Design for Learning from Carrie Smart on Vimeo . Links to Interesting articles and materials to inform our thinking: AT in NH - Website and YouTube 29 U.S. Code Chapter 31 – Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disability Assistive Technology and IDEA: Regulations Assistive Technology Laws What is Assistive Technology? How is it Funded? Assistive Technology Act Universal Design and Technology Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology Evaluating Apps – Instructional vs. Assistive Technology
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