Assistive TechnologyAssistive technology offers individuals with ASD specific accommodations and modifications to help them achieve their individual goals. IDEA defines assistive technology (AT) as 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.
This program utilizes AT by providing devices that help students adapt to their environment. When AT is included in an IEP, it is the school’s responsibility to make sure it is provided. The process of determining the most appropriate AT devices and services for the student will begin with an evaluation. The evaluation can be conducted by the school or by an independent agency or consultant and should address both strengths and challenges of the individual. For language purposes, ipads and ipods will be a common sight within the classroom. Devices will be distributed depending on the needs of each individual student. Programs such as Proloquo2Go will give non-vocal students a voice as well as help teach vocalization to others. Examples
Augmentative and alternative communication
Speech synthesizers Sound amplifiers Computer screen magnification Text to speech tools |
Instructional TechnologyThe Smartboard is a revolutionary piece of instructional technology that will help make the educational aspects of this program more attainable. Teachers will use the Smartboard as an educational outlet to provide students with topic related videos, books, and interactive activities.
Ipads will also be used for academic purposes. Students will be seen using a classroom ipad to work on counting, colors, letters, numbers...etc. Free Educational Apps
Injini: Child development game
This apps is designed to help with cognitive, language and fine motor delays. Games also focus on memory, visual processing, spatial awareness. See. Touch. Learn. This picture learning system allows teachers to create custom exercises that automatically tracks student performance. Sight Words List: This app includes all sight words on the Dolch list and also allows you to create your own sight word cards. Phonics Genius: This app is a great way to teach phonic skills that keeps students engaged through a multi-sensory approach. For more free educational apps click on the link below. |
Why Use AT in the Classroom?
This program's classroom will have access to computers as well as interactive whiteboards. This will offer students alternative ways to access and interact with the curriculum. For some students, access to AT in the classroom is necessary to support their communication and learning. AT can help students with autism:
- Better understand their environment
- Improve communication skills
- Increase social interaction
- Build better attention skills
- Expand motivators
- Improve organizational skills
- Keep up with the classroom curriculum
- Increase independence
How Will AT Help?
AT will help students with autism learn the classroom material in a way that they can understand it. It will also help reduce the barriers students may face that may prevent them from being at the same level as their peers. AT can help with writing, reading, communication, learning, activities of daily living, and positive behavior supports.
AT in Action-
To help you better understand how AT can be used in the classroom to support a student with autism, meet Jonathan. He is an 8 year old boy who uses AT all day long in the classroom to support his learning and communication.
AT for Writing:
Handwriting is very difficult for Jonathan, but his parents and teachers didn’t want this to impact his literacy skills. He uses the classroom computer with special software that provides text-to-speech, visual supports and errorless writing grids to support writing.
AT for Positive Behavior Support:
Jonathan can stay on-task and better manage his time during classroom activities. His teacher also uses software to create symbol-based schedules and classroom rule charts (ex. quiet hands).
AT for Communication:
Jonathan has very limited speech abilities, and when he is unable to communicate with others, he often becomes very frustrated. While he continues to use his speech, signs and a picture communication book, his voice output communication system allows him to better communicate his needs, wants and ideas.
AT for Learning:
Jonathan’s teacher will often use the interactive whiteboard in her classroom during classroom instruction. This allows him to interact with the learning materials and receive visual, auditory and tactile input. She also uses a lot of symbol support when introducing new concepts.