Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

By: Kimberly Chouinard, ECSEAT Scholar Over the past few years I have taken a few courses in Assistive Technology though my program here at the University of New Hampshire. I have learned to “use what you have” for support or to make things accessible for learners. This semester I had a great experience with a student in my class that I would like to share. A student in my class who experiences motor delays started to grow.  That’s great!  We love growth!  But, this growth caused seating issues and it takes time to fit, order and receive new equipment. He seemed to be growing out of his supportive chair and tray. His legs had grown and his feet where not well positioned on the foot support any longer. This growth caused his feet to slide off the foot support, kick out and limit accessibility to table activities with peers. I took my concerns to our team. His nurse, Physical Therapist and I were able to identify the problem (i.e., the foot plate was now too short for his g...

By: Holly Bogardus , EC-SEAT Scholar Once we realize the possibilities of the materials around us, it becomes easier to envision ourselves creating useful tools for those we work with. Assistive devices do not need to be bought, or cost hundreds of dollars. Below you will find a few simple and cheap devices that address an assortment of needs. While looking at these devices I encourage you to consider a problem you or another has or is experiencing, and if there could be a simple solution at hand. Looking at materials in new ways can open many possibilities of utilizing things creatively to increase a person's ability to perform a task, or to be better focused and engaged in an activity. Simple solutions are out there if we can think creatively as well as critically. Visual Complexity Reduction Device Materials: Magnets (2) Tools: None This is a tool for visual complexity reduction using 2 magnets. I chose a colorful frame to help focus the attention, and the black strip ...

By: Sue Stubbs , EC-SEAT Scholar Managing behavior in a classroom is ever changing. One’s style of behavior management is never the same from year to year, maybe similar but not exactly the same. Behavior management truly depends on the class dynamics. I have found some Low Cost and Low Tech Assistive Technology tools that work in a preschool classroom to help assist with behaviors and children with varying needs.  Specialized Chairs  Specialized chairs with leg support and Box Chairs help assist children with sitting. These tools help children  have upright posture when sitting at circle or at a table. It provides one with the ability to be able to focus and maintain attention during instruction time. Wiggle Cushion  These assist with attention and provides a child with sensory needs the ability to sit in a whole group or small group setting while providing some movement.  Weighted Blanket and Vests These help with sensory integratio...

By: Holly Bogardus , EC-SEAT Scholar At first the concept of “Assistive Technology (AT) Devices” can be intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with the concept or tools. It can help to think of these devices simply as anything that can help a person to do or complete a task, or increase their ability to engage in a task. These do not necessarily need to be expensive, complicated, or individually designed devices. Assistive devices are in fact all around us and easily accessible. By acknowledging their presence and many uses in our lives, we can more comfortably engage in conversations regarding necessary devices or tools that can benefit students, family, and friends and increase their success and independence in multiple settings. Here you will find just a small sample of objects that can be found both in typical settings as well as in various types of stores that can be beneficial assistive devices meetings a range of needs. After reading this post I would encourage you to lo...

By: Katelyn Baron , EC-SEAT Scholar The solution I created is for an individual who experiences muscle strain in their forearm. They currently use a computer during their school day and at home for math/literacy enrichment. The regular mousepad was making their wrist turn towards the left and the position was uncomfortable and unnatural. This was causing more pain, than normal, in their forearm and in their wrist. I decided to make an ergonomic mouse pad to hopefully alleviate the strain and pain in the muscles in their forearm and wrist. Materials and Tools Utility blade Coro Claw Ruler Corrugated plastic Velcro hook and loop Washi tape Grip Adhesive Non-Slip Pads The pictures below show the mousepad is on an incline with the high side being 2 inches from the surface it is placed on. This incline allows for the wrist to be in a neutral position. The mousepad is also able to lie flat with the use of Velcro. The mousepad can easily fit into a their school bag withou...

By: Katelyn Baron , EC-SEAT Scholar This assistive technology device was created for a young individual who has a grasping impairment. Because of the impairment, she individual cannot form a secure grasp onto a marker. This very simple assistive technology device was created using a CPVC T joint and a Crayola Pipsqueak marker. The base of the T joint is pushed onto the Pipsqueak marker to make this device. Beyond using this device for a specific individual, a T joint can quickly be added to a marker in a classroom or at home to accommodate a child who has a grasping impairment. For this scenario, a Crayola Pipsqueak marker was used because the size of the marker makes it easier for them to handle. Their hand can maneuver the marker better because the tip is closer to their hand. It also can very quickly be removed when the T joint is not needed. The simplicity of this device is the most appealing!   Katelyn is in her final semester of the EC-SEAT graduate pro...

By: Sue Stubbs , EC-SEAT Scholar Jacob is a preschool-aged child who has severe physical abilities and benefits from modifications within a school setting. During this case study, many different tools were used to help assist in fine motor skills such as cutting. The cutting tools were used to determine which one worked best to fit the specific needs of this child. “Jacob” is a five-year-old boy who attends an inclusionary preschool program.  He has very limited use of his hands and his inability to complete fine motor tasks because of low muscle tone. Jacob’s Impairment affects his ability to grasp writing tools and small objects to complete fine motor tasks. Jacob will be able to use fine motor tools to help succeed in the preschool setting academically. The adaptive scissor device that is selected will help improve Jacob’s ability to perform fine motor tasks such as cutting in the preschool setting.  Task of Difficulty The task that Jacob needs assistance with is u...

By Holly Bogdarus, EC-SEAT Scholar When trying to find an assistive technology (AT) device or solution to meet an individual's needs, there are many considerations that must be made. While there are multiple models that help to instruct areas of importance, consumer abandonment is an often overlooked aspect of the decision process. In trying to evaluate a device, Batavia and Hammer (1990) identified the 17 factors that influence the way an individual consumer evaluates a device. These factors are: Affordability: the extent to which the purchase, maintenance, and/or repair of the device causes financial difficulty or hardship to the consumer Compatibility: the extent to which the device will interface with other devices currently and in the future Consumer Repairability : the extent to which the average consumer (or his/her personal assistant) can repair the device if broken, including whether special repair equipment is needed Dependability: the extent to which the dev...