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Important Information  Extra credit announcement (5 points)  Reminders for assignments (all late or missing work is due November 15 th )  Unit 6 project (please remain after class) 2

Unit 6 :  We had a wonderful discussion about how parents of children with special needs may need support and guidance from you as the teacher.  Taking time to get to know your families will help with : parent involvement, communication, community involvement, and collaboration. 3

IEP and IFSP  Where does a child go to be assessed for a disability if they are the age of 3 and up? Birth to age 3? 4

Remember to:  Listen  Respect  Ask questions 5

Unit 7 Seminar! Tonight’s discussion focuses on the use of assistive technology for children with special needs. 6

Limitations that children with special needs may have in play…. Language/Communication Social Skills Motor Skills 7

Play and Academics Young children are biologically ready to learn Select activities that involve sensory experiences like touch, sight, sound, taste and developmentally appropriate. “For children who do not get academic learning at home, academically stimulating preschools are an opportunity equalizer” (Allen & Cowdery, 2009, p. 519). 8

Young children learn through……play! Your “typical” preschool student can talk and use her language skills. A student with a language or speech delay may need more encouragement. 9

Strategies to Facilitate Play Using assistive technology is one of the many ways Early Childhood Care Professionals can facilitate learning for children with special needs. 10

Fine motor/cognitive development Preschool puzzles have several inset pieces. Adaptive puzzles can have larger pieces and knobs. 11

Low tech Assistive Technology What are some examples of low-tech assistive technology? 12

High Tech Assistive Technology What are some examples of high-tech assistive technology? 13

Time to share….  How have you used strategies to help children’s play skills in your home, childcare, or preschool? 14

Field Trip Technology used to build communication skills! N6D3oM 15

Unit 6 Project Review 16

You will write a letter to the parents of a child who has recently demonstrated signs of developmental delay. *In our unit 6 you can click on an example of a business letter. *Please check the rubric for unit 6 before turning in your letter

WHO WE ARE WRITING ABOUT:  Joey is a three year old child who has a language delay. He does not pronounce beginning and ending sounds.  Some concerns with his speech and language include: articulation, fluency, word finding, expressive language, receptive language and letter recognition.  During a recent observation, there also seemed to be concerns for Joey’s behaviors; social maturity, frustration tolerance, and interaction with peers.

GRADING RUBRIC  Unit 6-Letter about Developmental Delays  Total:125 points  Content 100 points  · Use of sample business letter  · Inclusion of reasoning for the letter to parents  · Discussion of concern about the delays  · Description of support for the parents and the child  · References to the readings/unit material  Mechanics/Structure: 25 points  Spelling, Grammar checked  Clear writing, smooth transitions  Complete sentences (no sentence fragments, run-ons)  Subject/Verb agreement, punctuation, capitalization, etc.  12 point font (Arial or Times New Roman)  Double-spaced  Inclusion of a title page/reference page

SAMPLE Sarah Barrett 1234 E. Chester Dr. Scottsdale, AZ Mr. and Mr. John Doe 1234 E. Sycamore St. Chandler, AZ Dear Mr. and Mrs. Doe, I am a teacher at Chandler Christian Preschool. I have been teaching preschool for 5 years and love my job. I currently have Joey Doe in my pre-k class along with 10 other wonderful kids. I recently became concerned about Joey’s language development when ……. (what are observations that you could see in a child with possible speech and language delays with articulation, fluency etc?) Use the book for references! My hope is that ……… (where do we refer a child age 3 and up?) Sincerely, Sarah Barrett ***** DO NOT FORGET YOUR TITLE PAGE AND REFERNCES!!!****

References Allen, E.K., Cowdery, G.E. (2009). The Exceptional Child: inclusion in early childhood education. United States of America: Thompson Delmar Learning Using Assistive Technology to Foster Speech and Language Skills at Home and in Preschool," by Lauren Skau and Paul W. Cascella. "Assistive Technology and IEPs for Young Children with Disabilities," by Howard P. Parette Jr. and Nikki L. Murdick. "Play and Assistive Technology Issues for Infants and Young Children with Disabilities", by Shelly J. Lane and Susan G. Mistrett. 21