The document discusses assistive technology for students with special needs. It defines special needs as including learning disabilities, developmental delays, and behavioral issues. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) provides customized education for students with special needs. Assistive technology can range from low-tech options like pen and paper to high-tech devices like specialized computers. It is important to choose the appropriate assistive technology to help each student reach their educational goals.

1. Special Needs Students and Assistive Technology

2. OverviewWhat are Students with Special Needs?"Special Needs“ defined can mean a mirror of things such as: children with mild learning disabilities or those who are mentally challenged; allergies to foods or terminal illness; developmental delays; panic attacks or psychiatric issues. Being diagnosed as a “special needs” child can be helpful in getting the needed attention and services in order to obtain designated goalsFamilies with “special needs” children can be affected in different ways. Some families will see it as tragic, while others will see it as a positive challenge and discover strengths along the wayNo two families will have the same concerns when dealing with developmental delays, behavioral issues or learning disabilities http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm

3. OverviewWhat are Students with Special Needs?When we say “developmental delays” we mean children who have been diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome and mental retardation. These delays are severe and it is extremely difficult to care for and educate these childrenWhen we say “behavior issues” we mean children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. These children have discipline issues, and require special techniques that are geared to their abilities and disabilitiesWhen we say “learning disabilities” we mean children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia and Central Auditory Processing Disorder. These children have problems with their schoolwork regardless of their intellectual abilities, and require special learning techniques that are geared towards the avoidance of self-esteem issues and those techniques that meet their potential http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm

4. OverviewWhat Governs Individuals with Disabilities?The Disabilities Education Act of 2004The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that mandates how state and public entities give educational assistance to students with disabilities http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals_with_Disabilities_Education_Act

5. OverviewIndividualized Education Plans and Evaluating StudentsWhat's an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)?Students with developmental delays and other disabilities may qualify for special assistance that provide individualized education programs (IEP) in public schools, at no charge to the familyParents and educators work together to formulate a plan that will enable the student to reach his or her educational goalsStudents who have difficulty learning or integrating socially into the mainstream classroom may qualify for an individualized education plan http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

6. OverviewIndividualized Education Plans and Evaluating StudentsSome causes may be: ADHD and auditory disabilityIEP’s can be utilized in a traditional classroom setting or in a special classroom environmentGenerally the evaluation process begins when someone such as a parent, teacher or medical personnel have some sort of contact with the student that raises a concern http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

7. OverviewIndividualized Education Plans and Evaluating StudentsTraditionally the parents would then meet with a school counselor, teacher or school psychologist to take a look at the student’s past performance regarding grades, behavior and any other observations that may be pertinent in making an accurate assessment of the studentAll of this information would be used in formulating specific strategies to help the student in reaching his or her learning goalsJust because a child displays certain disabilities is no guarantee that he or she will receive certain accommodations http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

8. OverviewIndividualized Education Plans and Evaluating StudentsTo ensure reasonable accommodations the student must be evaluated by a team of licensed professionals such as a psychologist or hearing specialist Once the licensed professional completes the evaluation they create a comprehensive evaluation report (CER) of their findingsOnce the parents review it an IEP is developed http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

9. OverviewWhat is Assistive Technology? Assistive technology are devices, programs, techniques and instruments. Anything that helps to aid someone with a disability, and/or to accomplish something that they might otherwise find difficult or impossible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology

10. OverviewChoosing the Appropriate Assistive TechnologyStep 1:Gather information about the student’s weaknesses, strengths and level of ability. Discuss what teaching techniques have been the most successful in the pastStep 2:Discuss what activities throughout the day require the student’s participation, and the roadblocks he or she may be encountering that may be preventing the obtainment of educational goals and outcomesStep 3: Observe the student. Has intervention be successful? Has participation increased? How will you measure the outcomes? http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088

11. OverviewChoosing the Appropriate Assistive TechnologyStep 4: Discuss what assistive technologies might be used as a solution in aiding the students educational needsStep 5: Give the new technology a try. Create an observation planStep 6:Decipher what worked and what didn’t. Intervention is a never-ending learning process. Take time for reflection and make adjustments accordingly http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088

12. Assistive Technology That Can Enhance Students’ Educational ExperienceTwo or more students may have the same learning disability, but to different degrees, which will require different assistive technologyAssistive technology can aid in the following areas: academics and learning, daily living, assisted living and environmental, augmentative communication, computer access and instruction, environmental control, mobility, pre-vocational and vocational, recreation and leisure, visual Sometimes the assistance that the student needs is as simple as where he or she is seated in the classroom http://www.gpat.org/devices.aspx

13. Assistive Technology That Can Enhance Students’ Educational ExperienceAssistive technology ranges from low-tech to hi-tech to no-techLow-tech technology is anything that does not require sophisticated computer componentsNo-technology is anything that does not require a battery such as a pen and paper, textbooks or a pencil grip to make writing easier http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

14. Assistive Technology That Can Enhance Students’ Educational ExperienceHigh-tech technology is anything that requires a battery such as message devices, toys or books that speak, and specialized computersDepending on the severity of the visual impairment one might adjust the screen resolution, use a larger monitor than most or use Braille displays, keyboards, embossers or note takersThe hearing impaired can adjust Windows Operating Systems to use visual cues instead of soundIn addition, they can use what is called a Text Telephone, which allows the user to type messages, in order to communicatehttp://abilitynet.wetpaint.com/page/Communication

15. Assistive Technology That Can Enhance Students’ Educational ExperienceFor those students who are not hearing or visual impaired, but have problems with reading and writing there are speech output deviceshttp://abilitynet.wetpaint.com/page/CommunicationIn summation working with students with disabilities can be both a challenge and fruitful learning experience. They are however a few general rules of courtesy that we must be mindful of:Don't assume that the student isn’t paying attention because you are not getting a response Don't feel that you have to overemphasize everything for the benefit of the students with learning disabilitiesAlways work in conjunction with an education specialist to help understand the nature of the disability, and how to best approach it http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/learning.html#sect1

16. Assistive Technology That Can Enhance Students’ Educational ExperienceAlways be flexible and open-minded to adjusting assignments and using multiple teaching strategies to fit the needs of your studentsAnd if nothing else always have patience http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/learning.html#sect1

17. ReferencesIndividualized Education Programs (IEP’s). (2011). Retrieved June 17, 2011, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT?. (2006). Retrieved June 17, 2011, fromhttp://www.ldonline.org/article/8088Georgia Project for Assistive Technology. (2008). Retrieved June 17, 2011, fromhttp://www.gpat.org/devices.aspxGlobal Assistive Technology (GATE). (N/A). Retrieved June 17, 2011, from http://abilitynet.wetpaint.com/page/CommunicationAssistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. (2002). Retrieved June 17, 2011, from http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

18. ReferencesAssistive Technology. (2011). Retrieved June 17, 2011, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology

19. My Reference SourcesWhat Are "Special Needs"?. (2011). Retrieved June 17, 2011, fromhttp://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htmIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act. (2011). Retrieved June 17, 2011, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals_with_Disabilities_Education_ActStrategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities. (2005). Retrieved June 17, 2011, from http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/learning.html#sect1