The document outlines a three-step process for assistive technology (AT) and alternative augmentative communication (AAC) assessments: 1) Provide pre-referral interventions and complete checklists to determine if needs are being met, 2) Determine if an assessment is needed based on whether additional tools are required to meet IEP goals, and 3) Submit a referral including documentation if an assessment is warranted. It also includes examples of low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech AT options and defines the "Triangle of Assistive Technology".

8. AT/AAC Assessment Pre-Referral/Referral Process
Assistive Technology (AT)
STEP 1: Provide Pre-Referral Interventions
When considering AT implementation, what questions should we ask
ourselves as an IEP team?
 What are the areas of need? What problem needs to be solved?
 How is this problem impacting educational performance?
 What types of interventions are currently in use?
 What other types of AT are currently available to the student which may
meet his/her needs?
The Etiwanda School District Assistive Technology Pre-Referral Checklist
should be completed to facilitate this discussion and guide interventions.
If adequate progress is not achieved through full implementation of the AT
Pre-Referral Checklist strategies and current specialized services, continue
to Step 2.

9. STEP 2: Determine if an AT Assessment is Needed
How do I know when an AT assessment referral is appropriate?
 Does the student require additional tools in order to achieve his/her
IEP goals?
 Are the tools which are necessary to the student beyond what are
currently available to him/her?
If the answer to one or both questions is “no,” an AT assessment is not
warranted. If the answer to both questions is “yes,” then it is time to
make a referral for AT assessment. Continue to Step 3.

10. STEP 3: Submit a Referral for AT Assessment
Must include:
 ESD AT Pre-Referral Checklist, including answers to all of the questions
above
 The following SEIS pages:
o Referral for Special Education and Related Services
o Signed Assessment Plan
“Other” box checked
Evaluation Area: AT Assessment,
Examiner Title: AT/AAC Staff
o Prior Written Notice
Under “Reason for proposed action,” indicate what problem is
hoped to be resolved through AT.
 Copy of most recent signed IEP
 Copy of most recent assessments
Be prepared to be involved in the AT assessment, as it requires a team
effort.

11. Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)
STEP 1: Provide Pre-Referral Interventions
When a student is already receiving Speech/Language services but is
not yet able to effectively communicate his/her needs, what questions
should we ask ourselves as an IEP team?
 How does the child currently communicate?
 What aspect of communication is most challenging to this student?
What problem needs to be solved?
 How is this problem impacting educational performance?
 What types of interventions are currently in use?
 What other types of communication supports are currently available to
the student which may meet his/her needs?
The Etiwanda School District Alternative Augmentative Communication
Pre-Referral Checklist should be completed to facilitate this discussion
and guide interventions.
If adequate progress is not achieved through full implementation of the
AAC Pre-Referral Checklist strategies and current specialized services,
continue to Step 2.

12. STEP 2: Determine if an AAC Assessment is Needed
How do I know when an AAC assessment referral is appropriate?
 Does the student require additional communication tools in order to
achieve his/her IEP goals?
 Are the tools which are necessary to the student beyond what are
currently available to him/her?
If the answer to one or both questions is “no,” an AAC assessment is not
warranted.
If the answer to both questions is “yes,” then it is time to make a referral
for AAC assessment. Continue to Step 3.

13. STEP 3: Submit a Referral for AAC Assessment
Must include:
 ESD AAC Pre-Referral Checklist, including answers to all of the
questions above
 The following SEIS pages:
o Referral for Special Education and Related Services
o Signed Assessment Plan
“Other” box checked
Evaluation Area: AAC Assessment,
Examiner Title: AT/AAC Staff
o Prior Written Notice
Under “Reason for proposed action,” indicate what problem
is hoped to be resolved through an AAC device
 Copy of most recent IEP
 Copy of most recent assessments
Be prepared to be involved in the AAC assessment, as it requires a
team effort.

17. HI-TECH
Computer •
Electronic tablet •
Electric wheelchair •
Portable word processor •
Text to speech • Speech to text •
Alternative Augmentative Communication
(AAC) device • Mouse alternative • Smart board •
Alerting device • Keyboard alternative
MID-TECH
Electrical device • Screen magnifier • Audio book • Text telephone
• Adapted CD player • Voice amplification system • Scooter • Gait
trainer • Braille translation software • Switch adapted game or
toy • Adapted switch • Adapted TV remote • Adapted chair or
table • Adapted keyboard • Calculator • Electronic speller • Word
prediction software • Manual wheelchair
SAMPLE
LOW-TECH
Graphic organizer • Visual schedule • Adaptive pencil/writing utensil (i.e. weighted, fat, skinny,
triangular, golf, etc) • Adaptive paper (i.e. graph, special spacing or texture, HWT, etc.) • Pencil grip •
Adaptive eraser • Number line • Multiplication chart • White board • White board with place value •
White board with grids • Slant board • Post-It • Highlighter •Modified file folder • Rubber stamps (for
spelling or writing) • Rug lock (for book stability) • Squishy ball (fidget) • Tactile ruler • Velcro • Page
protector or Colored transparency • Magnetic strips (to create magnetic numbers, letters, words, etc. as
manipulatives) • Magnetic picture frame (for home reminder of target, goal, or concept) • Bookmark
with open transparent center for reading guide • Binder clip (for grip for turning pages) • Jumbo ruler
(for enlarged numbers) • Jumbo anything (for magnification) • Any manipulative
Tri-Tech
Triangle of Assistive Technology
Note: If in doubt as to how a
particular device could be used
as AT,try googling
“___ as assistive technology.”

20. Hopeyourneck
isokay.