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SASCHA SANDERLIN
Working with Special-Needs Students and Assistive
Technology
Introduction
As teachers of a diverse student population, we need to be aware of how to help students gain the most from their education. With special needs students in every classroom, a regular education teacher needs to know pertinent information and resources to be effective. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce and review concepts pertaining to IEPs and assistive technology.
Presentation Outline
Overview of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Who qualifies? What is the process to implementation?
Overview of Assistive Technology Resources Practices of high- and low-level technology
Review of Key Phrases
IEP (individualized education program)
As part of the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), parents of kids with special needs can: be eligible for special individualized services be part of their child’s educational team to set goals
(kidshealth.org)
Who qualifies for an IEP?
Students with functional or learning difficulties
Common reasons include: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Hearing impairment Visual impairment Speech impairment Emotional disorders, and more
(kidshealth.org)
How will the school provide for these services?
Least restrictive environment- special-needs students should stay in the regular classroom
-or- wherever their needs are met the best, such
as a resource room.
(kidshealth.org)
The Referral and Evaluation Process
1. Any person makes a referral to the school counselor or psychologist
2. Data collected from parents, student, observations and performance
3. Strategies suggested4. Student tested for disability5. Disability has to impair function at school6. School team will determine eligibility
…Process (cont.)
School team members may include:PsychologistSpecial education teacherOthers that relate to the child’s specific need
(kidshealth.org)
Parents have rights in every part of the process
Choice in child’s assessmentReview of the report before IEP is finalizedCollaboration on a plan that best meets their
child’s need Quick processMediation and legal representationChoice of place of education
(kidshealth.org)
Implementing an IEP
Many services can be providedDepending on the goals, services may be
hands-on or an a consultative basis onlyIEP is reviewed annually
(kidshealth.org)
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” ("Building a Legacy“, 2006)
Another definition of assistive technology
“Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology)
Six steps to identifying resources and practices to use assistive technologies
1. Collect information from the child and family2. Identify the activities that need assistive
technologies3. Establish a baseline of current activity to measure
success of assistive technology4. Brainstorm and view resources such as
Assistive Technology Resources or "Ramp up to Access"
5. Try out the intervention6. Reflect on success and make modifications
*This is a process that will take time and modifications*
(The six steps from "Learning Disabilities Online“)
Technological resources that can enhance students' educational experiences
Online collaboration tools such as zoho (http://www.zoho.com/collaboration-apps.html)
BrailleEnlarged textsOn-screen readersHardware constructed for a specific purpose
such as a music instrument played using a joystick (Enabling Dreams)
Devices found on GaDOE "Assistive Technology Devices" site
Instructional practices that meet students individual needs
Help students learn assistive technologies as early as possible so they can move on to learning content, not the technology (Enabling Dreams)
Use response systemsRead text to the student to complete a taskPreferential seatingExtended time
Assistive technologies that meet students’ individual needs
On-screen readers (Webanywhere) Headsets or other hearing assistive technology
(asha.org)Touch screens ("Touch Window“) Word processing with its various functions
such as spell checkE-books
(http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm )
Low-Tech approaches
Graphic organizersCopies of outlines of lectures and notes
(http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
)
Review of key phrases
Assistive technology – any assistive tool to enhance the education of people with disabilities
IEP – (Individualized Education Plan) a plan of action for an education team to help students with disabilities
Universal design – design a lesson in a way to create the widest range of utility for all learners (modified definition from "Let's play Projects“)
Review of key phrases (cont.)
Least restrictive environment – “IDEA's mandate that children with disabilities be educated to the maximum extent appropriate with nondisabled peers.” (Courts)
Inclusion – special-needs students have a right to be included in a regular classroom along with their peers
Mainstreaming – “the child will be educated with nondisabled peers when appropriate, but not necessarily exclusively in general education.” (Courts)
References
http://coedpages.uncc.edu/abpolly/3110/assignments/assistive-quest.htm
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,statute,I,A,602,1,
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology
http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/pro
d/tw/default.htmhttp://www.gpat.org/devices.aspx
References (cont.)
http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/wa.php
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm
http://www.dec-sped.org/Journals/Young_Exceptional_Children/Resources_Within_Reason
http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~wilbur/access/assistive.html
http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-3/courts.htm