Early Childhood Special Education and Assistive Technology Blog

By: Carrie Portrie, EC-SEAT Project Coordinator in collaboration with Sophia Fowler, early supports and services provider and Jessica Heald, elementary special educator as part of a workshop presented to Early Head Start childcare partnership teachers. Many adults working and caring for young children have access to tablets with built-in cameras that can easily record infant and toddler learning. Using digital tools for observation and documentation can provide creative means for practitioners and families to reflect on infant and toddler growth. Below are tools to create social stories and learning stories on a tablet. Social stories are focused on targeted behaviors for specific interventions. Learning stories originate from New Zealand and are constructed in the oral story tradition or like a picture book illustrating a child’s observed explorations or interactions with peers and the environment. Below are resources and basic steps to begin creating these types of stories. ...

Have you heard of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) Recommended Practices ? The videos below explain how they were constructed and what they are. If you have an interest in caring and/or teaching young children, you will find this document helpful in creating thoughtful environments for families and their little ones.

Recorded by: Carrie Portrie, M.Ed, EC-SEAT project coordinator The E arly C hildhood S pecial E ducation A ssistive T echnology Project and the UNH Department of Education partner with community professionals who hold an immense amount of knowledge and expertise. Suzanne Iverson sat down with me to talk about the basics of early supports and services for children birth to three years old and their families. Suzanne is the director of early supports and services at Community Partners  located in Dover, NH. Watch the videos below to learn more. What are Early Supports and Services? Early Supports and Services from EC-SEAT Project on Vimeo . What role do Educators play? What roles do educators play? from EC-SEAT Project on YouTube What is the Difference between Early supports and services and Early Intervention? Difference between ESS and EI? from EC-SEAT Project on Vimeo . Couple useful links: Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) - Par...

By: Lindsay LaFleur, EC-SEAT Scholar and Early Supports and Services certified educator Certain Proof is a 60-minute documentary that follows three children experiencing cerebral palsy.  Under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 1975, children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free and appropriate education.  Although, this is the law many interrupt it differently. Throughout the video, the children are proving to their educators that they deserve to be in an inclusive classroom with their peers.  Also seen throughout the video is the struggle families face as they prove their child’s potential and advocate for their futures.     “ At the heart of Certain Proof are complex questions: Is the education system forcing parents to scale back their expectations and dreams for their children? Are educators, parents, governments and citizens willing to demand a system that ensures every child – no matter his or her situation – ca...