The document discusses assistive technology and other approaches to enhance education for students with special needs. It defines special needs students as those with intellectual disabilities including hearing or speech impairments, visual impairments, emotional disturbances, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injuries, or other health impairments. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are created for each special needs student and address their unique learning issues and goals. Assistive technology is defined as any item or equipment that increases, maintains, or improves the functional abilities of students with disabilities. Examples of assistive technology include computer software, talking books, and hearing aids. Non-technology approaches also help, such as providing cues, strategic seating, reducing noise

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Sarah Rogers
ITEC 7530
Summer 2015

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

3. ENHANCING EDUCATION FOR
SPECIAL NEEDS
Individual Education Programs (IEPs)
Assistive Technology
Non-Technology Approaches

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/