Assistive technology and differential instruction can help students with disabilities succeed. Teachers should learn how each student learns best and find resources through assistive technologies to support them. This may include using invisible clocks for students with ADHD to help with focus, ensuring closed captioning for students with auditory impairments, and allowing word processors for writing for students with mild disabilities. When implemented, these strategies can promote healthy learning and lead to academic achievement for all students.

1. Assistive TechnologyKim Turner

2. Students with special needs should have a teacher who will…take the time to learn how they learntake the time to find resources to help them succeedadvocate for them in a school who does not support different technologiescares about their success www.google.com

3. What is Assistive Technology?Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. -wikipediaTeachers can use assistive technology in their classrooms in order to promote a healthy learning style for all students. They can also use differential instruction for those students who have disabilities.

4. Students: ADHDTechnologyInvisible clock: A student would wear the invisible clock on their belt. The clock isn’t a normal 24 hour clock, but one that is like a timer. Students can set the clock for 10 minutes to work hard. When the time is up, the clock will buzz or beep. InstructionTeachers can try giving their students with ADHD a squishy ball or rubber band for students to handle while instruction is going on.

5. Students: Auditory ImpairmentTechnologyWhen students are watching video clips or working on a computer, a teacher needs to make sure there is a closed captioning option. This will allow students to not only hear what is being played, but will also give them the opportunity to read.InstructionTeachers will need to sit students with an auditory impairment closer to the front of the classroom. By doing this, students will be more likely to hear the teacher and not other noises in the classroom.

6. Students: Mild Disabilities - WritingTechnologyAllow students to use word processing programs when writing paragraphs, papers, etc. Most students with mild disabilities struggle with grammar and spelling. This allows them to focus on organization, ideas and creativity. InstructionTeachers can allow students with mild disabilities to work with more advanced students in the class. This allows students to interact and also learn from other students. The advanced students act as a “peer mentor” for those students with mild disabilities.

7. Assistive Technology & Differential Instruction Leads to Successful Students