How Can Assistive Technology Benefit Preschool Special Education Students? The inclusion of special needs children with typically developing peers has become a key service option in preschool special education classrooms (Odom, 2000). Benefits abound, yet inclusion does not present without challenges. Young children with disabilities find it complicated to interact with objects and peers due to obstacles that their disabilities present. A child unable to speak too often goes unheard. Students with limited movement are frequently unable to participate in activities with peers. How can young children with disabilities achieve some degree of independence so that they may interact in their environments without reliance on others? …show more content…
Assistive technology is both a device and a service that helps those with disabilities do things more quickly, easily or independently (South Carolina Assistive Technology Program, 2010). AT may involve; no technology, low technology or high technology (Prater, 2007). Some examples of low-tech AT devices beneficial for young children are oversized crayons, slant boards, adapted eating utensils, pillows, picture boards, and switch activated toys. Computers, software, augmentative and alternative communication [AAC] devices, and motorized wheelchairs are considered hi-tech devices. Whether low-tech or high-tech, assistive technology opens doors of possibilities, making it possible for children with disabilities to do more for themselves than ever thought possible (Willis, 2009). The ability to communicate, and express thoughts, desires, and needs with others is essential in our daily lives. But for the child with a communication disorder, being able to express wants, needs, and ideas in the preschool classroom is not a reality. Communication skills for young children are particularly important given that much of what a preschooler learns is through interacting with others (Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers, 2006). Young children need communication supports to make the most of their experiences in
When communicating with children, a number of skills need to be demonstrated to communicate effectively. Children learn to communicate through the responses of others, if they feel they have not had there contributions valued they are less likely to initiate communication themselves appropriate responses reinforce the child’s self-esteem, values this is important in building relationships initiating conversations and finding out the answers to questions builds on the language skills that are integral to child’s learning. In the setting working with children with
An assistive technology device can be an item, software system, or piece of equipment used to increase, improve, or maintain the functional capabilities of a student with disabilities. It can help a person with a disability complete tasks they need to perform on a daily basis. Assistive technology services serve to directly assist students with disabilities in the selection or use of an assistive technology device. For some students with disabilities, assistive technology is important because they would not be able to benefit form their educational program. Assistive technology is a part of the Individualized Education Plan for each student. The educational team for the student must ask if there is a device that will improve their functional capabilities. If the educational team discovers that the child could benefit from a device that fits that description, the school district is required to provide the service along with training to use the device (Lewis, 1998).
In the Overview of Assistive Technology and Implementation Video by Margina Busby, she gives a lecture on what assistive technology is and how it can be used in the classroom. I learned that assistive technology is “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 capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Some examples of assisted technology are calculators, pencil grips, pocket dictionaries, communication systems (with or without voice output), adapted textbooks, and modified utensils. It is interesting to see all of the different forms of assistive technology that can be used in the classroom. I am currently taking a class
Assistive Technology: using devises whether they are electronic or not, to aid a child with disabilities to learn more efficiently. Examples: hearing aids, recorders, computers, etc.
The article “Assistive Technology 101” on live-ctd.pantheonsite.io, is about how families can help find out if their child or a person with a disability fits the criteria for assistive technology (AT), and which device is best for helping them live more independent lives.
This week we read about the history of assistive technology and assistive technology. In addition, we read about the reauthorization of IDEA 1997 and how it changed the individual educational plan (IEP) by requiring that IEP teams consider assistive technology for all students with IEPs. (Grand Canyon University, n.d. Lecture 1) Initially, I thought that I had limited experience with assistive technology. It became clear to me this week through the readings, that many accommodations and methods I have used in the classroom, are actually a form of assistive technology. I am speaking of the low- tech tools, for examples, pencil grips, paper holders, sticky notes and reading guide to name a few. (Dell, Newton, Petroff, 2012, p.6.) In addition,
One of the courses the Special Needs Educational Assistant (SNEA) program has for the fall term is the assistive and adaptive technology class. Throughout the course, I learned the kinds of assistive technology (AT)- low tech, mid tech, and high tech- commonly used by students who have special needs. Moreover, we even had the chance to review several apps and the featured accessibilities of Windows and Mac, which are fully relevant and beneficial to students. Also, we had a tour at the iCan Center at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, which is a refreshing and eye-opening experience as we get to practice how to use some of the AT, which we only get to discuss in class. As the term ends, I can say that my knowledge and skills in technology
Living and learning with assistive technologies (AT) for disabled people is allowing them to lead virtually normal lives. Assistive technology in action videos I have recently watched introduced me to 3 people who are being assisted by this cutting edge technology.
Assistive technology (AT) is defined as “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
There are three assistive technology categories known as high level, medium level, and low level. All levels help with communication skills, motivation, independence, academic skills, and organization. The low level is considered assistive technology due to its ability to assist autistic
Assistive technology is technology, which is used by an individual that has a disability to allow the individual to perform roles that may otherwise be difficult or impossible to complete. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn differently than other children, often have struggle with spoken and written language expression. Assistive technologies are devices which help children with autism completes everyday tasks they struggle with. Many devices, any touch screens, like an IPad or IPhone in the use of certain applications can be used. Applications such as a touch to speak or feelings applications to help express what they have trouble communicating. The practice of combining new technology and devices will support, improve, and help
Assistive technology (AT) have become a vital component of the educational programs of students with disabilities. In which, is widely accepted that adopted toys, switches, computers, amplification systems, wheel chairs, memory aids,
Traditional methods of education can be a road block to a child’s learning. The goal of education is for a child to learn content, not for a student to learn how to operate the process of learning. Assistance technology provides a bridge for students who need modifications for operating the process in education. Essentially these consist of any devices that allow a child to work around their disability to learn. Though these tools are called assistance technology, they do not have to be overly sophisticated.
Regular classroom curriculum is not enough to help children with exceptionalities to learn what they need to know to advance in life. Assistive technologies are suggestions that can assist a child to learn to work independently and built self-esteem with their learning abilities. Whether the child has mild, moderate or severe, physical, or sensory disabilities, at risk behaviors, or are gifted and talented, there are a number of websites, software programs, or hardware to assist their individual learning styles.
Four authors, Kristie Asaro-Saddler, Haley Muir Knox, Holly Meredith, and Diana Akhmedjanova, from the University at Albany wrote an article titled “Using Technology to Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Writing Process: A Pilot Study” that focused on the benefits of technology for disabled children. Although the article talked about students with disabilities, they specifically focused on students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The article showed that the use of technological tools to write helped the children with the disability tremendously. In general, “the handwriting of children with ASD has been found to be lower quality, specifically in terms of letter formation, than typically developing peers” (Asaro- Saddler et al. 104). Since this is the case, it takes these children longer to write because of being more focused on penmanship and spelling than on the idea of the paper as a whole. Therefore with the use of a word processor and digital resources, spell and grammar check are readily available, so less time and frustration is spent on the miniscule details.