Using IOS devices to support students receiving Special Education Services Erica Roberts, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist Derry Township School District

Use of IOS devices in Special Education * We currently have staff members at all levels (ECC, Primary School, Intermediate School, Middle School, and High School) who are using ios devices to support instruction. * Devices are being used to support IEP goals * Devices are being used to track IEP data * Devices are being used to increase student participation across curricular areas * General accessibility features available on ios devices are assisting student’s in assignment completion

Built-in Accessibility Features * iPads have features that are “built in” to the device itself to assist with various needs * Some examples include: * Vision * Hearing * Physical and Motor Skills Image taken from

VISION: * Voice-Over * Zoom * Invert Colors * Speak Selection * Tactile Buttons * Large Text * Audible Alerts

HEARING * FaceTime (allows for use of sign language or lip reading) * Closed Captioning (can buy or rent from iTunes store) * Headphone Jack (to plug in amplifiers or ear buds) * Bluetooth Audio * Mono Audio (can route right and left channel audio source into both ear buds-can accommodate for hearing loss in one ear by hearing both channels in one ear) * iMessage (works like text messaging and is unlimited between anyone using i-devices) * Visual Alerts (mail alerts can be displayed)

PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS * Thin, lightweight design * Large Multi-touch display * Assistive Touch (can use multi-touch gestures or a stylus) * Tactile buttons for sleep/wake, volume and home button * Orientation of device can be changed * Word prediction when using onscreen keyboard * Can use external keyboards with iPad

Accessibility Accessories for the iPad * Stylus Pen for access * Switch Access * Blue2 Bluetooth Switch * Bluetooth Super Switch * Bluetooth Switch Interface * Switches typically only work with switch accessible apps * 20for%20iPad.pdf 20for%20iPad.pdf Images taken from:

Accessibility Accessories for the iPad * Mounting Options * iPad Daessy Mount * iPad Mounting System from Enabling Devices Images taken from:

Accessibility Accessories for iPad * Durable Cases (there are a ton out there-these are just a few examples) * Otterbox * Kraken Trident * Grip-Case * GumDrop Drop Case Images taken from:

Communication * Several students in the district are using communication apps on iPads or iPod touches * There are hundreds of apps available! One resource for communication apps can be found at: pad-apps-for-aac pad-apps-for-aac * All apps are NOT created equal * Feature matching and the process of evaluating the need and appropriateness of an i-device with a communication application is still required (just like it would be with any other communication system or device)

* Sample page from App Evaluation Rubric Lang%20App%20Rubric%20DRAFT.pdf

Picture Based Communication Apps * Proloquo2go ($189.99) Images taken from:

Picture Based Communication Apps * Sonoflex ($99.99) Images taken from:

Picture Based Communication Apps * Sounding Board (currently free, limited features) * Fewer icons * Display and array size limited Image taken from:

Text to Speech Apps * Verbally (free version available, upgrade available for $99.99) Image taken from

Text to Speech Apps * Phrase Board (free) * Limited features * On-screen keyboard Image taken from

Text to Speech Apps * Speak It ($1.99) Image taken from

Behavior * Behavior Lens * App that tracks IEP goals and keeps records of student progress * Being used in High School and Middle School emotional support classrooms Image taken from:

Working on Student IEP Goals * Many learning support teachers and related service providers across the district have devices to be used instructionally with students * Using i-devices increases student motivation and engagement * Provides meaningful and educational ways to target IEP goals and skills * Integrates 21 st century learning skills and a 21 st century learning environment

Examples from Elementary Learning Support * Show Me: One teacher described how she is using the Show Me app in conjunction with the Wilson Reading Program * “I take a snapshot of the stories and use “Show me” to have the student’s record their readings while scooping. I then have them listen to the story back and follow along to see if they made any mistakes.” * Doodle Buddy: Used for practicing writing and spelling lists * QR Codes: One teacher uses QR Codes to teach the background of a story prior to reading. Students then use the IPAD to scan the QR codes to take them to a site that gives them more background or answers questions based on the story. * Educreations App: having students record a picture or word summary for Visualizing and Verbalizing Program and then listening to themselves. * Count Money App: to support a math goal

ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard App (free) Image taken from:

QR Codes (can create for free at

Examples from Middle School Emotional Support * Behavior Lens for tracking IEP goals * Incentive Tool for students to support behavior plans * Relaxing/Time Out apps to give students a break or to get them back on track

Examples from High School Emotional Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, and Autism Support * Behavior Lens for tracking IEP goals * iBooks for social stories (can share between devices) * Projecting apps from the iPad to a projection screen, making visual access to iOS applications more efficient. * iDress for weather app: helps students to visually select clothing appropriate for the weather outside. * Camera and video function: used to capture realtime evidence of student participation, skill demonstration and create artifacts.

iDress for Weather App ($1.99) Image taken from:

Examples from High School Emotional Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, and Autism Support * SoundingBoard App: used to create virtually instantaneous communication boards with voice output. Can take photos in the moment and upload to a board to make a board that supports some of the spontaneous activities and exchanges that occur. * Pinterest: transition programming development using the Pinterest app, allowing students to develop skills in using current social networking sites. * Weather app: students practice functional application of finding the weather, just like we do: by going on the internet! Image taken from:

Examples from High School Emotional Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, and Autism Support * Timers: used for visual reinforcement of time left for on-task activity or time left before an activity is “all done”. * Calculator app: used to increase the kinesthetic aspect of computing math using age appropriate resources. * iHeart Radio: used to allow students to make their own selections for what they want to listen to, the genre of music, etc., which helps develop independent living skills in leisure and choice making * Virtual manipulatives app: used to increase the kinesthetic nature of using manipulative to complete functional daily living tasks and vocational development activities.

Jumbo Calculator App (Free) Image taken from:

Examples from High School Learning Support * Timed checklist with audio cues to serve as a visual reminder to promote task initiation * Hidden Curriculum App (unspoken and unwritten social rules) * Pictures and Videos for social skills and teaching background information for course content * iPad with wireless keyboard and Google Docs for assignments

Hidden Curriculum App ($1.99)

Examples from Speech/Language Clinicians * Quick Voice App: record speech or language samples for assessment or for student’s to monitor their speaking or langauge skills * Camera: this feature allows the SLP to take pictures to create visuals for social, behavioral, or communication needs quickly and efficiently * Video: this features allows SLP’s to use video clips for video- modeling of various social cognitive skills in social thinking groups * Talking Tom: for expressive language practice * Various apps to target specific language skills (e.g., Using I and Me; Let’s Name Things; WH questions, Story Maker, Fact or Opinion; Sort it! For Kids, the list could go on forever!) * Merriam-Webster Dictionary App: for looking up vocabulary word definitions, has a feature that will pronounce word for student * Zite: has articles that can be used for language comprehension (for older students) * QR Codes: can be used to support initiation of tasks without verbal prompting needed * Aurasma Lite: for video modeling of specific skills that can be linked to a picture or icon

Using I and Me (free) Super Duper Publications

Let’s Name Things Fun Deck (free) Super Duper Publications

Examples from Occupational Therapy * Practicing isolated finger control and use of the index finger for a point by using apps that allow playing of musical instruments * Use of motivating apps or engaging videos played on the iPad to develop visual tracking skills (an important foundational skill for using the eyes for choice-making and communication) * Handwriting apps to practice letter formation with students * Dragon Dictation App

Music Therapy Internship * A Hershey High School student is doing an internship with John Gabrielle in the Middle School * The student has scheduled sessions with several classroom teachers to integrate music * Used iPad with guitar students "to provide an enjoyable singing activity to music enabling children with autism to improve verbal and cognitive skills” * Used the song "Call Me Maybe" and other songs and changed the lyrics so that they reflect actions or what one should do when presented with a problem, e.g., "I need to leave the room?", "What is your name?"

This presentation included a brief summary of some of the implementations we have accomplished in the last two years. We hope to continue on this path towards 21 st century learning to continue providing engaging and meaningful opportunities for student learning! * QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU! Additional images taken from: * * py.html py.html