What is Assistive Technology?

Are you a parent, caregiver, or teacher of a child or person with disabilities? Did you know that there are devices that can help persons with disabilities to better function in their environment? Today, I would like you to learn more about assistive technology, its myriad benefits for persons with disabilities, and how crucial it is to be included in the Individual Education Program/Plan (IEP) process.

As a parent of a child with special needs, I know the many struggles parents, caregivers, and teachers face when trying to help a child function in their environment. They have varying limitations and deficits. For example, my son Kassidy has Autism, and he cannot write his name due to his poor fine motor skills, but he learns to type his name on a computer using a keyboard. He also benefits from text-to-speech apps on his technological devices. Even the Alexa TV remote can help him to find the right movie without having to type it (he is cognitively impaired). So, I am thankful that he has this opportunity because of assistive technology. Can you relate to my situation? Here is some information about assistive technology that you might find helpful.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) defines Assistive Technology 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 a child with a disability (IDEA, 2004)".  Additionally, Assistive Technology can be classified into three categories: low-tech tools, mid-tech tools, and high-tech tools. 

Here is a YouTube video explaining what Assistive Technology is:

Low-Tech tools are inexpensive and have no electronic components. They are simple tools referred to as gadgets that make life easier for persons with disabilities. Here are some examples of low-tech tools in the classroom: a pencil grip, clipboards, communication boards, graphic organizers, and visual schedules. 

http://ramsonme.blogspot.com/2016/08/assistive-technology.html

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185984659599054838/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/12168494/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/10106347/

                                                                    

High-Tech tools can be expensive and are items that use sophisticated technology.  These devices can be used for more complex tasks than simple tasks.  Here are some examples of high-tech tools used in the classroom or at home for children with special needs:  computers, IPAD, tablets, laptops, and text-to-speech applications. 

Here are more examples of low- and high-tech devices. Click on the link below.

http://www.autismadventures.com/low-tech-mid-tech-and-high-tech/

http://ramsonme.blogspot.com/2016/08/assistive-technology.html

http://www.autismadventures.com/low-tech-mid-tech-and-high-tech/

Assistive Technology is crucial in the Individualized Education Program/Plan (IEP). According to reading rockets.org, " Assistive technology can help kids with learning and attention issues use their strengths to work on weak skills. It also provides support so that children can handle tasks that would otherwise be difficult. The IEP team at school decides which tools each student needs (readingrocket.org)".  Assistive Technology is considered an essential factor that must be considered and decided on during the development of the IEP. For example, the IEP team would discuss which assistive technology (low, mid, or high tech) would best cater to students' unique needs to help them maximize their learning potential. 

Here is a YouTube video for teachers and members of the IEP process explaining how Assistive Technology should be included in the IEP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4O7iGPqTRk

I hope that you enjoyed learning about Assistive Technology this week. Until next time, stay safe and stay informed about unique education technology. 

I am your special education technology helper- 

Kamal Smith