Assistive Technology forSchool-Based Therapists

Presented by Susan Chynoweth COTA/L, ATS

Jennifer Kraft, Education Technology Facilitator

Definition of Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is a device and/or service that is determined by an IEP team to be necessary to provide a student with educationally relevant and necessary access to a free and appropriate education (FAPE) in a least restrictive environment (LRE). Assistive technology services must be considered for any student receiving special education.

IDEA, 1997

Definition of Assistive Technology

“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.“

“Technology-Related Assistance for Individual with Disabilities Act (Tech Act)”

Assistive Technology :

Must be considered at every IEP meeting Be educationally relevant Least Restrictive Environment Assessment must be done before any

commitment to device or software Trial use Ultimate determination by IEP team Implementation Must be periodically reassessed

SETT Framework

Helps to organize AT assessment/intervention

S - Student E - Environment T- Task T - Tools

SETT Framework

Student

What does the student need to do? What are the student’s special needs? What are the student’s current abilities?

SETT Framework

Environment

What materials and equipment are currently available at school?

What is the physical arrangement? What is the instructional content? What supports are available to the student?

SETT Framework

Tasks

What activities need to take place? What modifications can be made? How can AT support participation?

SETT Framework

Tools

What has already been tried? No tech, low tech, high tech options?

Success/Failure? Why?

Types of Assistive Technology

No tech Requires no special or adapted equipment;

changes in environment, positioning; change in routine

Low tech Often homemade simple equipment or

modifications, and simple, easy to use, inexpensive devices

High tech Sophisticated, electronic, interactive devices;

often requires extensive training

Types of Assistive Technology

“ It is important to realize that by law all of these devices are assistive technologies and that a no-tech device has as much value as a high tech one for users who find the device has enhanced their functioning, independence, and quality of life.”

Scherer 1996

Areas of Intervention

Early Intervention/Pre-school Writing in any subject Communication Reading Math Music/Art Gym/play/mobility

Early Intervention & Pre-School

AT & Early Intervention/Pre-school Helps young children learn that they can

play, communicate, interact, control their world and do what other children do;

Helps families by focusing on the child's functional skills;

Helps children to be more interactive with their family and others.

Helps providers, since it facilitates including children with disabilities in typical environments and activities and helps them pursue functional goals.

Armstrong and Jones http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/PATP.htm

AT & Early Intervention/Pre-school

Switches

Communication devices

Adapted toys

Positioning devices

Mobility aids

Writing

Writing – No Tech

Lying in prone on floor, propped on elbows

Working in vertical

Proper desk/chair height

Utensil options, i.e. mechanical pencils, softer/harder lead, markers, thicker/thinner pencils

Writing – Low Tech

Slant board

Writing-Low Tech

PVC Adapted Holder

Adapted utensil holder

Writing-Low Tech

Sponge ball grip

Writing-Low Tech

Stay put folder (left)

Writing Template (right)

Writing-Low Tech

Other low tech options

Adapted paper, i.e. graph paper, raised line, multi colored or highlighted lines

Chalk board Buddy notes Keyguards, keycaps, moisture guards

Writing-Low Tech

Various pencil grips Built-up or weighted pencils Alternative utensils

And many more! Use your creativity!

Writing- High Tech

Portable word processors Portable notetakers / Digital recorder Word processor Talking word processor Word processor with word prediction Speech recognition

Writing- High Tech

AlphaSmart

Dana

EdgeWrite

PDA’s, portable notetakers

Writing- High Tech

Computers and any of the following modifications:

Alternative keyboards Mouse alternatives Specialized input systems Specialized word processing software Standard operating system adaptations

Alternative keyboards

Intellikeys

Big Keys

Little Fingers

Mini Tash

Word Prediction

Writing- High Tech

With standard operating systemadaptations, you can make changes to: Display Mouse pointer Keyboard Accessibility Options

Writing- High Tech

Check out your computers standardoperating system adaptations first!

                                                                                                                        

Writing- High Tech

Go to Programs/Accessories/Accessibility Accessibility Wizard to help set up your

computer for vision, hearing, or mobility problems.

Magnifier Narrator (Windows 2000/XP) - text-to-speech

utility to hear the contents of Windows programs including the active window, menu options or text that has been typed

On Screen Keyboard (Windows 2000/XP)

Communication

Communication

Communication boards/books Simple voice output device Voice Output Device with Static Displays Voice Output Device with Dynamic Display Talking Picture Frame

Communication

AAC – Whose Job Is It Anyway?

Occupational Therapist?

Speech-language Pathologist?

Communication

OT = Access Considerations How will the person

activate the device and select the appropriate vocabulary?

How will the person carry or transport device?

Will the person need integrated controls??

Communication-Low Tech

Photo Cosmetic Bag

Keychain Communication Bag

Tempo Loop Tray

Talking Picture Frames

Communication – Mid/High Tech

Cheap Talk

1 by 4 TalkerDynaMyte

AT & Reading

Reading – Low Tech

Page Up (vertical) Angle display Magnification Reading guides Colored acetate

Reading – Low Tech

Vertical/angled display

Reading – High Tech

Reading Pens Computers – check your standard operating

system for built-in accommodations Screen/text readers Digital books Audio books

AT & Math

Math-Low Tech

Graph paper Notebook paper turned sideways to form

columns Number stamps Magnetic numbers Plexiglass rulers with color coded increments

Math-High Tech

Talking calculators (hand held or online) Programs/Accessories/Calculator – standard

and scientific calculators CalcuScribe – interactive calculator/word

processor Webmath – online math problem solver

Math-High Tech

Software, i.e. MathPad for Intellikeys

Music & Art

Music – Low Tech

Built up handles

Velcro around handle and on glove

Music – Low Tech

Splinting material or Sculpey clay to reshape handles

Soft hair band stretched across back of hand and looped around each end of utensil in palm

Bells sewn to mittens Hanging rattles, chimes, bells from dowel; can

use gross swiping motion Key extenders out of popsicle sticks, or by

using a knob strapped between fingers to use keyboard

Music–High Tech

Soundbeam

Switches to activate computer

Software

Art-Low Tech

Paintbrush alternatives * Bingo dabbers * Squeeze bottles * empty roll on deodorant bottles

Paint rollers can be adapted by adding a dowel across the top for use with both hands; add extender to the handle for floor painting from a wheelchair; add slit tennis ball to handle if the student has weak grasp.

Art-Low Tech

Salad spinner Spin Art Built up paint roller

Art-Low Tech

Rubber stamps – build up with film cannister, small ball, knob, shower ring, etc.

Scissors – loop, rolling, spring

Paper holder made with wood, plumbing pieces, and 2 magnets

Art-High Tech

Use of a computer and any of the following: Software, i.e. KidPix, Crayola Print Factory, and

Art Explorer (MAC only).

Adaptive peripherals including a switch, alternative keyboard, or a touch tablet, such as a TouchWindow, or IntelliKeys

Gym/Play/Mobility

Gym/Play/Mobility – Low/High Tech

Encourage movement Adapted games Auditory/lighted balls for rolling or catch Tennis balls on walker legs to slide walker Tennis ball, dowels, joysticks for electric

wheelchair

Gym/Play/Mobility

Transfer Web(directions in handouts)

Assistive Technology - Integration

Integration Strategies

Let the student play with the device Include devices in

activities/songs/classroom activities Use devices for spontaneous

commenting Model and wait Show excitement Respond to student’s use of the device

AT – Additional Resources

KY Assistive Technology Loan Program Low interest loans for AT Contact: Sarah Richardson 1-877-675-0195 EDU.katlc@ky.gov

Kentucky State Plan for Assistive Technology http://www.katsnet.org/ - AT coordinating center for

Kentucky

AT and the School-Based Therapist

"For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible."