Transcript Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology for
School-Based Therapists
Presented by
Susan Chynoweth COTA/L, ATS
Jennifer Kraft, Education Technology Facilitator
Definition of Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is a device and/or
service that is determined by an IEP team to
be necessary to provide a student with
educationally relevant and necessary access
to a free and appropriate education (FAPE)
in a least restrictive environment (LRE).
Assistive technology services must be
considered for any student receiving special
education.
IDEA, 1997
Definition of Assistive Technology
“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
functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities."
Definition of Assistive Technology
Adapted equipment is always assistive
technology, but assistive technology is not
always adapted equipment.
Adapted equipment is something that the
general public uses, but is changed to make it
functional for someone with a disability;
assistive technology includes devices not
used by the general public.
Assistive Technology Must:
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Be considered at every IEP meeting
Educationally relevant
Least Restrictive Environment
Assessment must be done before any
commitment to device or software
Ultimate determination by IEP team
Trial use
Implementation
SETT Framework
Helps to organize AT assessment/intervention
 S - Student
 E - Environment
 T - Task
 T - Tools
SETT Framework
Student
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What does the student need to do?
 What are the student’s special needs?
 What are the student’s current abilities
SETT Framework
Environment
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What materials and equipment are currently
available at school?
 What is the physical arrangement?
 What is the instructional content?
 What supports are available to the student?
SETT Framework
Tasks
 What activities need to take place?
 What modifications can be made?
 How can AT support participation?
SETT Framework
Tools
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What has already been tried? No tech, low
tech, high tech options?
 Success/Failure? Why?
Types of Assistive Technology
 No tech – requires no special or adapted
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equipment; changes in environment,
positioning; change in routine
Low tech – often homemade simple
equipment or modifications
High tech – sophisticated, electronic,
interactive devices; often requires extensive
training
Types of Assistive Technology
“ It is important to realize that by law all of
these devices are assistive technologies and
that a no-tech device has as much value as a
high tech one for users who find the device
has enhanced their functioning,
independence, and quality of life.”
Scherer 1996
Areas of Intervention
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Writing in any subject
Communication
Reading
Math
Music
Art
Gym/play/mobility
Writing – No Tech
 Lying in prone on floor, propped on elbows
 Working in vertical
 Proper desk/chair height
 Utensil options, i.e. mechanical pencils,
softer/harder lead, markers, thicker/thinner
pencils
Writing – Low Tech
Slant board
Writing-Low Tech
PVC Adapted
Holder
Writing-Low Tech
Sponge ball grip
Writing-Low Tech
Writing Template
(right)
Stay put folder
(left)
Writing-Low Tech
Other low tech options
 Adapted paper, i.e. Raised Line, multi colored
lines
 Highlighted lines
 Chalk board
 Slant board
 Buddy notes
 Keyguards, keycaps, moisture guards
Writing-Low Tech
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Various pencil grips
 Built-up or weighted pencils
 Alternative utensils
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And many more! Use your creativity!
Writing- High Tech
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Portable word processors, i.e. AlphaSmart,
Dana, PDA’s, EdgeWrite
Writing- High Tech
Computers and any of the following
modifications:
 Alternative keyboards (Intellikeys, Mini Tash,
Little Fingers, Big Keys)
 Mouse alternatives (trackballs, Touch
Screens)
 Specialized word processing software, i.e.
CoWriter, WriteOutLoud, Inspiration
 Specialized input systems, i.e. Intellikeys
(overlays), headpointing systems, onscreen
keyboard, switches
 Standard operating system adaptations
Writing- High Tech
Check out your computers standard operating
system adaptations first!
Writing- High Tech
You can make changes to:
 Display (fonts,icons, borders, colors)
 Mouse pointer (size, color, flashing, tail)
 Keyboard (repeats, change layout and
language)
 Accessibility Options give even more options
for keyboard, sound, mouse.
Writing- High Tech
Go to Programs/Accessories/Accessibility to
access the Accessibility Wizard to help set up
your computer for vision, hearing, or mobility
problems.
 Magnifier
 Narrator (Windows 2000/XP) - text-to-speech
utility to hear the contents of Windows
programs including the active window, menu
options or text that has been typed
 On Screen Keyboard (Windows 2000/XP)
Communication
 Communication boards/books
 Simple voice output device (1 by Four
Talker, Big Mac)
 Voice Output Device with Static Displays
(Superhawk, MessageMate)
 Voice Output Device with Dynamic Display
(Dynamyte)
 Talking Picture Book
Communication-Low Tech
Photo Cosmetic
Bag
Talking Picture
Frames
Keychain
Communication Bag
Tempo Loop
Tray
Yak Bak
Communication – Mid/High Tech
1 by 4
Talker
Cheap Talk
DynaMyte
Reading – Low Tech
 Page Up (vertical)
 Angle display
 Magnification
 Reading guides
 Colored acetate
 Reading “windows”
Reading – Low Tech
Vertical/angled
display
Reading – High Tech
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Reading Pens
Computers – check your standard operating
system for built-in accomodations, i.e. autotext, auto-correct, auto-summarize,
magnification
Screen/text readers, i.e. Kurzweil 3000,
eReader, Adobe reader, Windows 2000/XP
Narrator
Digital books
Audio books
Math-Low Tech
 Graph paper
 Notebook paper turned sideways to form
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columns
Number stamps
Magnetic numbers
Plexiglass rulers with color coded increments
Math-High Tech
 Talking calculators (hand held or online)
 Programs/Accessories/Calculator – standard
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and scientific calculators
CalcuScribe – interactive calculator/word
processor
Webmath – online math problem solver (all
ages) http://www.webmath.com/
Math-High Tech
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Software, i.e. MathPad for Intellikeys
* Make your own worksheets
* Math pad will read the problems aloud to
the student.
* Complete each problem one at a time;
completed problems are printed out as a
single worksheet.
Music – Low Tech
Velcro around handle
and on glove
Built up handles
Music – Low Tech
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Splinting material or Sculpey clay to reshape
handles
Soft hair band stretched across back of hand
and looped around each end of utensil in
palm
Bells sewn to mittens
Hanging rattles, chimes, bells from dowel;
can use gross swiping motion
Key extenders out of popsicle sticks, or by
using a knob strapped between fingers to use
keyboard
Music –High Tech
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Soundbeam converts physical movements,
large or small, into sound by using
information from interruptions of ultrasonic
pulses.
Switches to activate computer
Software, i.e. Making Music (includes a
composer, melody and rhythm maker,building
blocks, flip book, and games. Reading is not
required)
Art-Low Tech
 Paintbrush alternatives
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* Bingo dabbers
* Squeeze bottles
* empty roll on deodorant bottles
Paint rollers can be adapted by adding a
dowel across the top for use with both hands.
Also an extender can be added to the handle
for floor painting from a wheelchair. If the
student has weak grasp, a tennis ball can be
slit, and added to the end of the handle
Art-Low Tech
Salad spinner Spin Art
Built up paint roller
Art-Low Tech
Rubber stamps – build up with film cannister,
small ball, knob, etc.
 Scissors – loop, rolling, spring
 Paper holder made with wood, plumbing
pieces, and 2 magnets
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Art-High Tech
Use of a computer and any of the following:
 Software, i.e. KidPix, Crayola Print Factory,
and Art Explorer (MAC only).
 Adaptive peripherals including a switch,
alternative keyboad, or a touch tablet, such
as a TouchWindow, or IntelliKeys
Gym/Play/Mobility – Low/High Tech
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Encourage movement, i.e. bubbles. Balloons,
switch toys
Adapted games
Auditory/lighted balls for rolling or catch
See handout on adapted Physical Education
Tennis balls on walker legs to slide walker (for
balance and/or strength issues
Tennis ball, dowels, joysticks for electric
wheelchair
Gym/Play/Mobility
Transfer Web
(directions in handouts)
Assistive Technology - Integration
Integration Strategies
 Let the student play with the device
 Include devices in activities/songs/classroom
activities
 Use devices for spontaneous commenting
 Model and wait
 Show excitement
 Respond to student’s use of the device
AT – Additional Resources
PaTTAN – (Pennsylvania Training and
Technical Assistance Network) - Short Term
Loans, workshops, printed resources
 PIAT (Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive
Technology) – Advocacy, referrals, lending
library, training, public awareness about AT
 LIU #12 OT Dept. Assistive Technology
Lending Library – see list
contact Sue Chynoweth COTA/L, ATS
[email protected]
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AT and the School-Based Therapist
 "For people without disabilities, technology
makes things easier. For people with
disabilities, technology makes things
possible."