2. What is Assistive Technology? The guidelines for service delivery of assistive technology (AT) are found in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). IDEA defines AT in terms of "devices" and "services." An Assistive Technology Device is defined as "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (IDEA 300.5).
3. Working with Special Needs Children Special needs children have a written Individual Educational Plan (IEP), which is developed through parental involvement, in cooperation with classroom teachers and other school officials.
4. Working with the hearing impaired Students who are hard of hearing or deaf often need assistive technology to access information that is typically presented verbally and accessed through the auditory modality. Assistive technology for the hearing impaired that you can use in the classroom sound field fm systems. This device helps because it travels to speakers that are meant for the entire room. These may be mounted on the walls, in the ceiling, near the individual, or on their desk. An added bonus with the sound field FM system is that all those in the room benefit. Another strategy that can be used by teachers is the Audisee which allows the student to read the teachers lips no matter where the teacher may be in the classroom.
5. ADHD ADHD is a medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem "wired," act impulsively, and get into trouble. Some children with ADD focus better when they can use a laptop to do their work. The bright screen and the noise help to focus their attention on.
6. Learning Disabilities Learning disabilities are problems that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. These problems can make it difficult for a student to learn as quickly as someone who isn't affected by learning disabilities. In some classrooms teachers use audio books because A student could use remedial reading software as well as listen to audio books. In fact, research has shown that AT can improve certain skill deficits. Talking calculators that speaks the answer to the student so that the student transfers the correct information.
7. Works Cited "ADHD." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Web. 19 June 2011. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/adhd.html?tracking=T_RelatedArticle>. "Assistive Technology for ADHD Students." Find Health, Education, Science & Technology Articles, Reviews, How-To and Tech Tips At Bright Hub - Apply To Be A Writer Today! Web. 19 June 2011. <http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/74108.aspx>. "Assistive Technology." Listen Up Web - Resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Web. 19 June 2011. <http://www.listen-up.org/edu/assist.htm#14>. "Hearing Assistive Technology." American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | ASHA. Web. 19 June 2011. <http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm>.
