Assistive technology can help students with special needs in the general classroom setting. Various types of disabilities are present in classrooms today, including ADHD, auditory disabilities, and mild learning disabilities. For students with ADHD, assistive technologies like invisible clocks and computer-assisted instruction can help them stay focused. FM units and hearing aids can aid students with auditory needs. And for mild learning disabilities, text-to-speech devices, interactive reading pens, and brainstorming software provide support in reading, writing, and learning. Assistive technologies allow for inclusion of students with special needs in general classrooms as much as possible.

1. Assistive Technology in the classroom

2. General Classroom Setting & Special Need StudentsStudents with special needs today are no longer placed in separate classrooms. Inclusion is some individuals belief that students with disabilities should be integrated into the general classroom even if they can not meet the curriculum standards.The provision of least restrictive environment (LRE) has been implemented in schools nation wide. This provisions allows students with disabilities to be educated in the same setting as their peer as much as possible. Usually these settings are the general classroom.

3. Types of Disabilities in our 3rd grade classesADHD(Attention deficit-hyperactive disorder): These student have a hard time paying attention and staying focusAuditory disability: These students have problems hearing.Mild learning disabilities: These students are having trouble reading and writing.

4. Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology (AT): is anything that can be use to increase, maintain, or improve the function of individuals with disabilities.

5. Some Assistive Technology to help Student with ADHDInvisible clock: it is a device that is worn on the belt, and it beep at certain times, reminding the student to stay focused.AnimationComputer-Assisted Instruction

6. Assistive Technology to help students with Auditory NeedsFM units: device used to help student to hear the teacher. The teacher wears the microphone around their neck and the student wears the receiver.Hearing aidVisuals

7. Assitive Technology for mild learning disabilitiesText-to-speech: devices that allow students to type sentences into the computer and it speaks what is being typed.Leap frog tag: student use the pen to swipe the words and it recite what is being swiped.Brainstorming: this can be used to help student with their writing skills.

8. Resources:http://www.mnabedisabilities.org/guide/assistive-technology/assistive-technology-addadhdhttp://www.examiner.com/k-12-education-in-west-palm-beach/assistive-technology-the-classroom-for-adhd-studentshttp://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/93.htmlhttp://www.axistive.com/assistive-technology-for-hearing-impaired-students.html

9. Resources:http://www.mangomon.com/blog/bid/14024/Text-to-speech-Software-for-the-Special-Education-Classroomhttp://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm