An Exploration of Assistive Technology and Those Available for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Introduction to Assistive Technology For many years, students and individuals with disabilities have been fortunate to benefit from federal laws that advocate for protection and equal rights for all students with disabilities as intended by the initiation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Furthermore, these individuals have often performed below average not only due to deficits
stand in society. Unfortunately verbal communication is extremely difficult for those people with disabilities, specifically those that suffer with speech production. With continual advances in augmentative technology, highly specialized communication devices make it possible for disabled people to carry a "voice" within the community. This recently new form of technology allows disabled students to enter a mainstream program with the benefits of interacting with peers as well as teachers. But
policies related to special needs students are set in place to assist in providing an appropriate education in the most least restrictive environment possible for special needs students. A Law is defined as a rule that is created by the government of a town, state or country. A law is created in hopes of settling a cause. Within the past 25 years laws pertaining to Special Education have evolved for the better of special needs students around the country. Prior to
time education and specifically special education has evolved. Laws have changed, acts have been passed, but most importantly research has been conducted on how students with exceptionalities learn best. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) “require that schools use programs, curricula, and practices based on scientifically-based research to the extent practicable” (“Evidence-Based…”, 2011). Educational interventions should be strongly
Special Education in Public Schools The Educate America Act was passed in 1994 and was a step toward equality of education between children with and without disabilities. According to Olson and Platt (2000), the Educate America Act “represents a national framework for education reform to improve our system, policies, standards, and most importantly, outcomes for all students.” This legislation outlined goals that were very broad and simplistic, but also inspiring to many people. This act did not
instruction for students with dyslexia in 1985, continues to set the standard when it comes to dyslexia education reform (T. Flanders, personal communication, August 30, 2011). Until recently, little consideration was made in the use of assistive technology (AT) for students with mild disabilities, specifically in the field of dyslexia education and intervention (Edyburn, 2006, p. 18). With the passing of Senate Bill 866, concerning the implementation of classroom technology plans for students with dyslexia
HISTORY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is “a written statement for each individual with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with Title 42 U.S.C. Section 1414(d).” (NAEP Glossary) Each source I studied stressed the concept of “individualized” plans because each program is tailored to specifically meet the needs of that particular student through a series of
Learning Disabilities Eleven-year-old Anna is outgoing and bright. She attempts to work hard, but her progress in school has always been slow. She is a year behind her peers, particularly in her English class and her teachers have slowly begun to reduce their expectations of her. Her parents are worried because her confidence for learning is decreasing, and there is less motivation for her to do homework and class assignments. A psychologist found that her intelligence is in the gifted range
anything. The sky is the limit! For those with disabilities, their answer could be the same but, realistically, their career choices are limited. Organizations and programs such as Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) offer ways to maximize their abilities and improve their quality of life. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment
ways to save money. One of the methods that they have implemented is to decrease the number of students in Special Education classes by using inclusion, also called mainstreaming, by having the students included in general education classes. A districts Average Per Pupil Expenditure (APPE) can vary significantly for Special Education. The services are defined in each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Whereas one student’s IEP might mandate a single service, another may require several