Using Assistive Technology to help special needs students in the classroom.

1. Introduction
Using Assistive Technology to enhance
the educational experience of special
need students in the classroom.

2. Incorporating Assistive Technology
• Assistive Technology can be a very helpful tool for
teachers who have mild disabilities in their
classroom. Assistive technology is any item used
to improve the functional capabilities of a
student.
• Assistive technology can help students feel fully
included in the classroom.
• AT’s also help students become more
independent and self confident in the classroom.
• (Eric Digest, 2002)

3. Examples of Assistive Technology
• AT devices can range from non technical to very
technical in nature. Example of nontechnical AT could
include note taking where students can simply follow
an outline provided by the teacher. A low tech AT
solution would be allowing students to use an ipad
to work on the mechanics of writing. A high tech AT
would be allowing students to participate in virtual
reality software that allows them to work on speech
and visual skills.
• (Eric Digest, 2002)

4. Assistive Technology Resources for
Special Needs Students
• There are many technical solutions and
resources for teachers to support student
achievement and success in their education.
• Computers, ipads, text to speech softwarem,
voice recognition and voice magnification,
adjustable furniture, desks, writing tools,
adaptive keyboards and mice are just a few of
many At resources at a teacher’s disposal.
• (Eric, 2002)

5. Helpful AT for Children with ADHD
• Teachers can incorporate behavioral strategies that can
help students with ADHD focus and succeed.
• Teachers can begin by creating a routine and posting it
somewhere they can observe so that students can know
what to expect of them each day.
• Teachers can use goals and rewards to help incentivize their
students to display appropriate behavior.
• Discipline students who do not display appropriate
behavior like taking away certain classroom privileges for a
short period of time.
• Encourage students’ talents and praise their behavior when
it is good.
• (Kids health, 2014)

6. AT for Children with Mild Disabilities
• Microsoft word can be a very helpful assistive
tool for students who have mild learning
disabilities or reading and writing disabilities.
• Word can help students with mechanics, spelling,
grammar and other reading and writing barriers
they may need to overcome.
• Word can also be used to help motivate students
to be creative and interested in writing.
• (Kids health, 2014)

7. AT for Children with Auditory
Disabilities
• There are many ways teachers can employ assistive technology in
the classroom to help students with auditory disabilities.
• Make sure the distance between you and your students in minimal.
Always keep in mind the farther away you are to your students the
harder it will be for them to hear you.
• Try to avoid background noises like classroom chatter, adjacent
classroom noise, loud heating and air conditioning ventilation, and
so forth so students do not have to strain to hear you.
• Decorate your classroom with rugs, carpeting, upholstered furniture
and other items that will help absorb noise so your classroom has
good acoustics which can greatly affect how your students hear.
• Teachers can also incorporate voice magnification software for
hearing impaired students in the classroom.
• (Asha.org, 2014)

8. Online Web Resources for Students
with Disabilites
• Teachervision. Com is a wonderful website that
teachers can use to help students with special
needs.
• This site has many educational tools and
resources that can help teachers come up with
helpful strategies for students with special needs.
• The site has ready to use lesson plans, themes,
newsletters, slideshows, clip art, graphic
organizers and printable exercises tailored for
each grade.
• (Teachervision.com, 2014)

9. Online Web Resources for Students
with Disabilities cont.
• Idaamerica.org is also a great online resource for
teachers who have students with learning
disabilities.
• This website helps teachers focus on their
students individual achievement goals and tracks
progress for their students ultimate success.
• The website offers educators access to journals,
resources on teaching, professional organizations,
state resources, and disability rights and
advocacy research.
• Idaamerica.org, 2014)

10. Conclusion
• There are many tools and resources at teachers
disposal that can help enhance the educational level
and opportunities for children who have special needs.
• Assistive technology devices are a great way for
teachers to incorporate learning devices that can help
them modify learning activities that address their
students unique needs.
• Online resources and websites are also available for
teachers that can provide support to educators as well
as help encourage and enhance student learning and
achievement.

11. References
• American Speech Language Impaired Association, Hearing Assistive Technology, retreieved September 20, 2014,
from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm
• Ericdigests, Assistive Technology for students with mild disabilities, 2002, retrieved September 19, 2014, from
http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
• Kidshealth, Individualized Educational Programs, retrieved September 18, 2014, from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html
• Learning Disabilities Associates of America, retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://ldaamerica.org/educators/
• TeacherVision, Retrieved September 20, 2014, from https://www.teachervision.com/special-education/teacher-resources/
6640.html?detoured=1