ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A MODIFIED PERSPECTIVE Presented by: Meera Suryanarayana Special Education Teacher Eagle’s Landing Middle School 1

Assistive Technology: Introduction Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive technology devices can be low tech and/ or high tech devices. Assistive tech devices make mobility, accessibility, instruction etc., possible. Assistive tech devices make activities of daily living easily achievable. Assistive tech devices are the most crucial component for people with disabilities in their lives as it helps them to be as independent as possible. 2

Assistive technology in communication  AAC or Augmentative and alternative communication devices are assistive technology devices that help people with disabilities and autism to communicate effectively.  AAC(augmentative and alternative communication) devices includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.  Most of the AAC devices are widely used in classes for students with autism, severe and profound intellectual disabilities.  AAC devices not only helps and assists the students at all levels of language development but also helps in classroom instruction in a variety of ways.  AAC devices are an integral part of a classroom of students with autism, severe and profound intellectual disabilities as most of the students are non-verbal and it aids them in innumerable ways. 3

How does AAC help these individuals?  As the child grows and matures, the brain helps in deciphering and processing information in a very efficient manner.  Children with intellectual disabilities need a lot of assistance to process any information as there are deficits in the brain.  It is well known that students with severe and profound intellectual disabilities have processing deficits that impede their ability to acquire skill quickly and easily.  Picture-object association and identification, cause and effect, word associations etc., are higher order skills that require processing skills.  A variety of AAC devices assist the students to form these type of associations over a period of time. 4

AAC devices in classroom  A variety of AAC devices are available for use in the classroom.  AAC devices can be programed to deliver single message to a series of messages.  AAC devices can be used for single message delivery, step-by-step sequencing, choice making, to access leisure activities and so on.  AAC devices can also be individualized depending on the students’ needs.  Each student can have his/ her own device to communicate at all times.  Activation of switch can be achieved by hand movement, knee movement, head movement etc., 5

Types of AAC devices o Single activation communication devices : to deliver a single message. o In the classroom, it can be effectively used as a tool to teach conversational skills like greeting, asking a question, responding to a question etc., o Step-by-step communicators helps the teacher/adult to program multiple messages and it can be played in sequence; for example, each student can activate the switch to communicate one step of a cooking recipe at a time. 6

AAC devices in instruction  AAC devices can be used for choice making (2 choices and/or multiple choices) Yes/no questioning, matching, identification, answering “wh” questioning etc., This picture shows one of the segments of the visual schedule This picture shows AAC device set up for choice making 7

AAC devices in instruction contd…., This picture shows the picture symbols of food items and the lunch choices from that day’s menu. Students can be encouraged to make their lunch choice. This picture shows a ‘wh’ question and the 2 answer choices. At the end of a lesson, the students can answer the ‘wh’ question to show their comprehension. 8

AAC in Standards Based Instruction This is a 4X4 device that can be used to assess comprehension after the topic has been read, This shows the ‘wh’ question and 3 answer choices. This is a 4X4 device that can be used to teach number correspondence. The teacher can elicit a response in a variety of ways. 9

Other assistive technology tools in instruction All-turn it spinner Access switch All turn it spinner is an excellent tool that can be used for instruction, playing games, teach turn taking etc., 10

Other assistive technology tools in instruction Power link unit Access switch The power link unit can connect an access switch to a radio/tape/ CD player. It can be used to listen to audio books, music etc., 11

Other assistive technology tools in instruction Access switch The power link unit has been connected to a radio/tape/ CD player on one side and a blender on another side. 2 students can be engaged in an activity at the same time. 12

Other assistive technology tools in instruction Jelly beamer switch The jelly beamer switch acts a remote switch and can be used from a distance of feet to access any equipment that is connected to its transmitter. 13

Computers in instruction of students w/ disabilities Screen shot of ‘news-2-you.’ It has 3 versions, regular, speaking and simplified. It can be accessed online every week for subscribers. Each unit has worksheets in ELA, Math, Science and Social studies that are Standards based. 14

♪ News-2- You is a weekly newspaper that can be accessed online. The news paper has a speaking version, that provides the audio for the newspaper. ♪ The students can use an access switch to turn pages, listen to the text, play word search, listen to world news etc., This is a great way for students w/ disabilities to access the computer. ♪ Unique Learning system is another curriculum that has 30 lessons to last a whole month. Each lesson has worksheets and hands on activities that are Standards based also. Computers in instruction of students w/ disabilities 15

Modern technology as an instructional tool  The iPAD also acts as a great instructional tool. The teacher can take snap shots of lessons, upload it on the iPAD and record it using one of the apps(TS buttons plus and/or TS sequence plus).  The students can be rewarded for activating the iPAD and a sensory sound or another game app can be used as a reward to teach skill acquisition.  IPAD apps can be used for independent practice and small group learning too. 16

IPAD AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL TOOL  The student is seen accessing one of the iPAD apps of making words.  IPAD is a great tool for students with autism to master picture-word association, form words, sentence making etc.,  Math apps help the students to master simple counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication facts etc.,  There are many free apps that can be used as educational tools.  Science apps help a great deal in learning about solar system, water cycle etc., 17

Software that are instructional tools  Many companies have produced software that can be used to make picture symbols and that can aid in instruction of students with disabilities.  Board maker software like the ‘Board maker studio’ is a great tool for students with autism as it makes them more independent as they can check their visual schedule, get rewarded for completing work, learn math, science concepts etc.,  Other software programs also help in reading and ELA and the teachers can keep track students progress also;  Intelli tools, Don-Johnston reading series, Test me score me, symbol stix are all software that have simplified reading for students with disabilities. Most of the software also has math concepts that can be accessed by students with disabilities. 18

AT and AAC : modified perspective  Students with multiple disabilities can and do form associations, but after lots and lots of practice.  The teacher has to provide them opportunities throughout the day as many times as possible for skill acquisition to happen in an effective manner.  Parents can also make use of the switches to engage students with disabilities in meaningful activities by collaborating with teachers, parent centers and organizations that loan the switches for use at home.  Let us help individuals with disabilities in providing a meaningful and fulfilling life that will help them to move towards more independence and also improve their quality of life. Together we can……… 19

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You can make assistive technology an every day tool to enhance instruction!!!!! 21 MEERA SURYANARAYANA Special Education Teacher, Eagles Landing Middle School, Henry County Schools.