1. WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS
Assistive Technology

2. OVERVIEW
 A special need may be either a learning or
functioning disability. The list of conditions that may
designate a student as having a special need
includes the following:
 Hearing or visual impairment
 Emotional disorder
 Physical limb impairment
 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
 Cognitive challenges
 Autism
 Speech or language impairment
 Developmental delay

3. WAYS TO ENHANCE THE STUDENT
EXPERIENCE
 Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
 Assistive Technology
 Hearing Assistive Technology
 Optical Character Recognition
 Speech-Recognition Technology
 Non-Technology options
 Graphic Organizers
 Clickers,
 Smart Pens
 Timers
Examples of Resources and Instructional Strategies

4. THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)
 An official, educational plan of action that identifies
and addresses the unique needs of individual
students with special needs and disabilities.
 The IEP includes the following:
 Statement of current performance of the student
 Any special education or services provided to the student
 An annual performance goal for the student
 The recommended and approved accommodations to meet
goals
 Evaluation of performance measures

5. THE INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)
 The purpose is to improve educational results of
these students by creating specific educational
goals and plans.
 The IEP is created in partnership with
parents, teachers, and other
administrators, including counselors.
 Most services and accommodations are
completed in the regular classroom as much as
possible; however, special school environments
may be provided to allow more individualized
attention.

6. HEARING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (HATS) OR
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICE (ALD)
 Personal frequency modulation (FM) system
 Wireless system that helps people to better understand
speech in environments that may be noisy or large to
the point where sound may get lost.
 Operates similar to a miniature radio station
 Has special frequencies assigned by the FCC
 Consists of the following:
 Transmitter microphone for the speaker
 Receiver that transmits the sound to the hearing aid of the
listener

7. OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION
FOR READING & WRITING
 Display and read aloud text on a computer
screen
 The text may be typed in or scanned from
printed pages, or text from the internet.
SPEECH-RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
FOR READING & WRITING
 Captures and displays words as the student
reads or speaks aloud into a microphone.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
WYNN

8. CLASSROOM CLICKERS
FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD
 Engages the students
 Draws and maintains attention and focus to the lesson
 Provides immediate feedback
TIMERS (NON-TECHNOLOGY) FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD
SMART PEN
FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD
 Records spoken words and synchronizes them with notes written by
the student
 While taking notes, the student can record and later playback the
lecture
 Is very helpful when students get temporarily distracted
 Helps students remain focus for a specific time-frame
 Is useful for classroom management
Livescribe
Turningpoint

9. GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR LEARNING
DISABILITIES
 Graphic Organizers are used to help students
better understand concepts. Students with learning
disabilities may have difficulty in comprehending
concepts or expressing their understanding through
traditional written/essay formats
 Using GOs, such as diagrams or concept maps that
help them organize and make
interpretations, students are better able to
receive, store, and retrieve information.
 Online graphic organizers are available, but not
required. Traditional paper GOs work very well.
A learning disability is a “neurological disorder that affects the
brain’s ability to receive, process, store, and respond to
information

10. REFERENCES
 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Fm systems. Retrieved from
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/FM-Systems/
 Duffy, F. (2012). The write tools for adhd students. Retrieved from
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9365.html
 Ketcham, L. (2010, April 16). Online graphic organizers for use with special education
students. Retrieved from http://www.mangomon.com/online- graphic-organizers-for-use-
with-special-education-students/
 Levy, J. (n.d.). What is an iep?. Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/students- disabilities/iep-
504-plan/what-is-iep
 Nemour Foundation. (n.d.). Individualized education programs (ieps). Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html
 Raskind, M., & Stanberry, K. (2009). The best software and gadgets for adhd students.
Retrieved from http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6585.html
 Shelton, K., Procailo, M., & Miller, A. (n.d.). Technology for adhd students. Retrieved from
http://kerryshelton.weebly.com/technology-for-adhd-students.html