This document discusses assistive technology that can help students with special needs and learning disabilities. It provides an overview of common indicators of learning disabilities and tips for teaching students with disabilities. It also discusses individualized education programs (IEPs) which are used to set goals and provide support for special needs students. The document then outlines different types of assistive technology for hearing, reading/writing, and learning disabilities that can help these students perform tasks and improve their learning.

1. +
Assistive Technology
Gwen Kenny

2. +
Overview
 Special Needs is a term that encompasses a wide range of
diagnoses that may affect learning. Students with special
needs may exhibit signs anywhere from mild disabilities,
developmental delays, or profound cognitive impairments
(Mauro, 2014).
Common indicators of learning disabled students1:
• Has poor auditory memory—both
short term and long term.
• Has a low tolerance level and a high
frustration level.
• Has a weak or poor self-esteem.
• Is easily distractible.
• Finds it difficult, if not impossible, to
stay on task for extended periods of
time.
• Is spontaneous in expression; often cannot
control emotions.
• Is easily confused.
• Is verbally demanding.
• Has some difficulty in working with others in
small or large group settings.
• Has inflexibility of thought; is difficult to
persuade otherwise.

3. Tips for teaching students with disabilities:
+
• Provide oral instruction for students with reading disabilities1.
• Provide students with frequent progress checks.
• Give immediate feedback to learning disabled students.
• Make activities concise and short, whenever possible.
• Learning disabled youngsters have difficulty learning abstract terms and
concepts. Whenever possible, provide them with concrete objects and
events—items they can touch, hear, smell, etc.
• Provide lots of specific praise.
• When necessary, plan to repeat instructions or offer information in both
written and verbal formats.
• Post a clear and predictive schedule2

4. IEPs: Individualized Education Program
+
• the individualized education program (IEP) —helps kids succeed in
school. The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the
school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve
them3.
Who Needs an IEP:
• A child who has difficulty learning and functioning and has been
identified as a special needs student is the perfect candidate for an IEP.
• Kids struggling in school may qualify for support services, allowing them
to be taught in a special way,

5. IEPs: Individualized Education Program
+
• the individualized education program (IEP) process is complex but involves
the following steps3
Developing an IEP:
• The first step is to gather specific data regarding the student's progress or
academic problems.
• At this point, strategies specific to the student could be used to help the child
become more successful in school. If this doesn't work, the child would be
tested for a specific learning disability or other impairment to help determine
qualification for special services.
• To determine eligibility, a multidisciplinary team of professionals will evaluate
the child based on their observations; the child's performance on standardized
tests; and daily work such as tests, quizzes, classwork, and homework.
• Once the team members complete their individual assessments, they develop
a comprehensive evaluation report (CER) that compiles their findings, offers
an educational classification, and outlines the skills and support the child will
need.
• The next step is an IEP meeting at which the team and parents decide what
will go into the plan.

6. +
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology: Assistive Technology can be anything low-tech or high-tech, modified
or adapted, which is used to help an individual perform some task of daily living. The term
Assistive Technology encompasses such a broad range including devices (computer/laptop,
tablets, iPads, AAC devices), software (text to speech, voice recognition, magnification, screen
reading), FREE Built-In Accessibility Features in everyday technologies, Chrome Apps &
Extensions, adjustable Furniture/ desks, adaptive keyboards and mice, adapted writing tools,
etc4.

7. +
Assistive
Technology for
Hearing:
Hearing assistive technology systems
(HATS) are devices that can help you
function better in your day-to-day
communication situations. HATS can
be used with or without hearing aids
or cochlear implants to make hearing
easier5.
• The audio or hearing loop is a wire that circles a room and is connected to the sound system. The loop
transmits the sound electromagnetically. The electromagnetic signal is then picked up by the telecoil in the
hearing aid or cochlear implant.
• An infrared system uses invisible light beams to carry sound from the source to a personal receiver.
• An FM system works similarly, but sound is conveyed though radio waves to a personal receiver.
• Software: AUD-1 is a mobile app designed to intelligently modulate the loudness of the sonic environment
for the hearing-impaired user. ListenWiFi software includes a free, downloadable app for smartphones
and tablets that provides the ability to listen to the audio associated with multiple monitors that are
available for viewing in a venue that has the ListenWiFi hardware installed.

8. +
Assistive
Technology for
Reading/Writing:
There is a wide range of AT for
reading and writing to address
numerous areas, some of these tools
help students circumvent the actual
physical task of writing, while others
facilitate proper spelling, punctuation,
grammar, word usage, and
organization6.
• Voice Recognition Software – Voice recognition software can be used to control computers or other
electronic devices7.
• Speech-to-Text software and apps allows individuals who are physically unable to access a computer, or
may have a learning disability or print disability to write text.
• Text-To-Speech Software Speech synthesis software that converts written text into human speech
• There is a wide variety of software and apps that assist with reading and writing impairments such as zoom
technology (ZoomText software), screen readers (JAWS for windows), and the live scribe pen which can
record audio for those who can not take lengthy notes

9. +
Assistive
Technology for
Learning
Disabilities:
Learning disabilities (LD) are
neurological disorders that can make
it difficult to acquire certain academic
and social skills7. Learning disabilities
can encompass numerous forms and
display auditory, visual, and hearing
disabilities.
• In addition to making use of many of the aforementioned approaches and assistive
technology, instructors can use assistive technology specific to the child’s needs8.
• Mathematics – Electronic worksheet software such as MathPad allows students to organize
and work through problems and includes a voice synthesizer. Talking Calculators can verify that
the correct numbers were pressed and verify answers.
• General Areas: Word predication software can assist in many areas and predicts” the word the
user intends to type, expanding his vocabulary and improving written expression. (examples: Aurora
Suite, Co-writer software)

10. Resources:
Examples of Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http:/
/assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/
Hearing Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing
/treatment/assist_tech.htm
Hearing Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.hearingloss.org/content /hearing-assistive-
technology
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#
Mauro, T. (n.d.). What are "Special Needs" Retrieved October 3, 2014, from
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm
Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2009, January 1). Assistive Technology Tools: Writing. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-tools-writing
Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2009, January 1). The Best Software and Gadgets for ADHD Students
. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6585-4.html
Teaching Children With Developmental Disabilities: Classroom Ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from
http://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-interventions/special-needs/teaching-children -developmental-disabilities-
classroom-ideas
Teaching Students with Special Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from https://www.teachervision.com
/special-education/new-teacher/48460.html
Types of LD. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities