2. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) defines
students with special needs as having an “intellectual disability”
which includes:
•Hearing impairment
•Speech or language
impairment
•Visual impairment
•Serious emotional
disturbance
•Orthopedic impairment
•Autism
•Traumatic brain injury
•Other health impairment
Child with a disability (2014, February). Key Terms to Know in Special Education. Retrieved
June 11, 2015, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/keyterms-specialed/#child
4. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
An IEP is a document created that addresses the unique learning
issues a special needs child has and the goals set for the child.
Each IEP includes:
How the child is currently performing
Annual goals
Support services necessary to reach the goal
Modifications and accommodations needed for progression and testing
How measurements will be taken
Transition planning
Stanberry, K. (2014, October 23). What is an IEP? Retrieved June 13, 2015, from
http://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps/understanding-
individualized-education-programs
5. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Assistive technology is defined 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 the functional capabilities of children
with disabilities.”
Definition of assistive technology (n.d.). Georgia Project for Assistive
Technology. Retrieved on June 13, 2015, from http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-
Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/Assistive-Technology-
6. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
For ADHD students:
Computer software, talking books, noise cancelling earphones, speech recognition
programs
For students with auditory disabilities:
Frequency modulation system, computer programs, hearing aids
General reading and writing assistance:
Word processors, proofreading software, speech recognition software, speech
synthesizer
Assistive technology for ADHD (n.d.). Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from http://www.adhd-brain.com/assistive-
technology-for-adhd.html
Auditory processing disorder (n.d.). Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.html#a_Helping_Your_Child
Stanberry, Kristin (2009). Assistive technology tools: writing. Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-tools-writing
7. NON-TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES
For all learning disabilities:
Provide cues to stay on task
Strategic seating charts
Provide follow-up directions
Reduce background noise
Simple Instruction
Slant Board
Paper Weights
Assistive technology for ADHD (n.d.). Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from http://www.adhd-
brain.com/assistive-technology-for-adhd.html
Auditory processing disorder (n.d.). Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.html#a_Helping_Your_Child
Weichman, Lauren (2013, May 22). Benefits of a slant board. Retrieved on June 13, 2015 from
http://nspt4kids.com/parenting/benefits-of-a-slant-board/
