2. Special Education
Specially designed instruction, at no cost to
parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a
disability.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 ensures
the educational rights of students with disabilities and their parents.
3. Collaboration
Team process to determine interests, abilities, and needs of each
individual child.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) – the roadmap for each child
who has been determined as needing services by IDEA (2004) to lead to
their success in school that has been determined is in need of services.
Involves parents, student, teachers, counselor, social worker, general
education teacher, special education teacher, speech-language
therapist.
Clear goals and strategies.
4. Steps for Intervention
Child and Family Information – strategies that work best focusing on
strengths.
Activities for participation and success.
Success of previous intervention.
Brainstorm with Team.
Try it out and have an observation plan in place.
Identify what worked.
5. Assistive Technology
An important part of IEP and goals/strategies
“Any item, equipment, or product used to increase, maintain, or
improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Shared within multi-disciplinary team to communicate needs of
student.
6. Examples of Assistive Technology
for Students with ADHD
Match technology to needs
Inspiration - Graphic Organizer Program – engages children in the
writing process.
Read & Write Gold – reading and writing support tools
Word Q – reads text aloud
Animoto - Multimedia and films
www.help4adhd.org
www.attitudemag.com
7. Additional Supports for ADHD
students
Modeling
"think-aloud" techniques
guided practice
visual aids such as posters, checklists, and charts
physical space organized and free of distractions
www.aboutkidshealth.ca
8. Assistive Technology for Auditory
Disability
Hearing Assistive Technology (HATS)
Provides hearing assistance in the classroom.
Devices that can help you function better in your day-to-day
communication situations.
www.asha.org
www.agbell.org
9. Additional Supports for Students
with Auditory Disabilities
Environmental Supports
Reduce background noise
Face the student when talking
Use of an interactive whiteboard
Visual Teaching Strategies
Graphic organizers
Story maps
www.nad.org
10. Assistive Technology for Students
with Mild Learning Disabilities in
Reading and Writing
Electronic software
Read Plus 2002 – text-to-speech engine
Starfall - drill and practice website
Lexia Learning Systems – phonics based reading based on research and
Orton-Gillingham
www.pacer.org
www.GPAT.org
11. Additional Supports for Students
with Mild Learning Disabilities
Clear goals set by IEP
Inclusive practices whenever possible
Least restrictive environment
12. More Resources
The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education
by Joan Green
www.amazon.com
“Those who believe in our ability do
more than stimulate us. They create for
us an atmosphere in which it becomes
easier to succeed.”
