1 Professor Sophia Syrengelas **feel free to chat as you enter the room**

Our agenda for tonight’s discussion focuses on the use of assistive technology for children with special needs.  Learning Outcomes  Play & Assistive Technology ◦Discuss ◦Field Trip ◦Assistive Technology ◦Define ◦Field trips ◦You Tube video ◦Unit 9 Project 2

Explain the importance of play and the limitations of children with special needs Identify strategies for facilitating play for children with special needs Explain the importance as well as the variety of uses of assistive technology Describe how assistive technology can foster learning in the classroom for young children with special needs 3

Young children are biologically ready to learn. Select activities that are developmentally appropriate and involve sensory experiences like touch, sight, sound, and taste. “For children who do not get academic learning at home, academically stimulating preschools are an opportunity equalizer.” (Allen & Cowdery, 2009, p. 519). 4

*In what ways have you witnessed play that promotes developmental growth in children? *What are some areas that play facilitates growth in children? 5

Using assistive technology is one of the many ways Early Childhood Care Professionals can facilitate learning for children with special needs. 6

 Assistive technology is redefining what is possible for children with a wide range of cognitive and physical disabilities. In the classroom, assistive technology is enabling children with disabilities to be more independent, self-confident, productive, and better integrated into the mainstream.  Assistive technology makes it possible for children with disabilities to do things for themselves. For example: ◦ A child with speech issues can use a device that “speaks” to communicate ◦ The use of a switch on a computer can help a child who can’t use his/her hands ◦ A mechanical device can help a child in and out of a bathtub ◦ Computers provide high-tech aides, but there are also many low-tech aides Please look over the following webpage for an overview on AT 7

 The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory website provides a detailed list of assistive technology devices.  Please visit the website provided below and review the various types of assistive technology (AT) equipment  Come back ready to share 8

Please view the website below and search some of the adapted toys that can be used with the special needs population : _disabled_children 9

Ws Please discuss what you learned from the video on AT in the classroom. 10

What are some examples of low-tech assistive technology? How can low-tech assistive technology be used for young children with disabilities in the classroom? Discuss specific examples. 11

What are some examples of high-tech assistive technology? How can high-tech assistive technology be used for young children with disabilities in the classroom? Discuss specific examples 12

Read Chapter 17, "Facilitating Pre-academic Learning", in your text, The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education. Pay special attention to "Computers and Assistive Technology.” There are also 3 articles found in the web resource link under unit 7. You will need to enter the password denial61 to access these articles. If you have any problems, please call Library Services at

You are going to create a brochure that will include information and resources for young children (Birth- 3 years old) with special needs, (Please use the template provided to you, but feel free to change the font and color to make the brochure more appealing.) How is a child screened and evaluated? Please refer to the template and describe what you learned from researching state early intervention programs that can be used by an early childhood care professional to promote early identification of and early intervention for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities. This section of the brochure should include 3-5 complete sentences and an appropriate heading. *Go to Google or another search engine and put in the search box, for example, Early Intervention, Florida 14

Describe the necessity of early identification of special needs and the importance of early intervention. Please refer to the template and describe what you learned from researching state early intervention programs that can be used by an early childhood care professional to promote early identification of and early intervention for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities. This section of the brochure should amount to at least one full paragraph and include an appropriate heading. *Go to Google or another search engine and put in the search box, for example, Early Intervention, Florida 15

What are some specific examples of services available and what do these services entail? Ex. Physical therapy  In this section of the brochure, research specific examples of services available. Make sure to share what services and organizations are available to assist these families and describe what the services entail. This section of the brochure should include 3-5 complete sentences and an appropriate heading.  *Go to Google or another search engine and put in the search box, for example Services for children with language delays Share at least 4 characteristics of effective strategies for young children with special needs. Please refer to the template and describe at least 4 characteristics, in full sentences, of effective strategies for young children with special needs. This section of the brochure should amount to at least one full paragraph and include an appropriate heading **Use the link below to access Kaplan’s Library to research resources that focus on these effective strategies. You will need to share and compare your findings between what you researched and what you learned in this course. port%2fAcademicSuccess%2fResources%2fResource9.aspx port%2fAcademicSuccess%2fResources%2fResource9.aspx 16

Identify some developmentally appropriate activities that can be implemented to assist these children in their real-life experiences. In this section of the brochure, describe developmentally appropriate activities in at least 3-5 complete sentences. Please include an appropriate heading. Use the link below to access Kaplan’s Library to research resources that focus on developmentally appropriate activities and how they relate to real-life experiences. You will need to share and compare your findings between what you researched and what you learned in this course. micSupport%2fAcademicSuccess%2fResources%2fResource9.aspxhttp://kucampus.kaplan.edu/Login/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fPlatform%2fAcade micSupport%2fAcademicSuccess%2fResources%2fResource9.aspx As with all writing, be sure to include citations if you use information from any source to avoid plagiarism. It is always necessary to give the author credit. In addition, please make sure to include a reference page. If you need assistance, please use the APA Quick Reference Guide in the Course Home Page or visit the Kaplan University Writing Center. 17

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. The PLUK homepage. Retrieved September 17, 2011, from 18

Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. ~Diane Ackerman 19