Transcript Assistive Technology Tools

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Assistive
Technology Tools
Marie Trujillo
+  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. This law also
includes any service that directly assists an individual with a
disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive
technology device. Basically, AT is any kind of technology
(low-tech or high-tech) that can be used to enhance the
functional independence and quality of life for a person with
a disability. If you think about it, we all use AT every day,
whether we have a disability or not. Reading glasses, step
stools and garage door openers are all examples of
technology that makes our lives easier. School districts are
required to provide appropriate AT when it supports your
child’s access to a free and appropriate public education
FAPE)
Tap to Talk
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Summary and description of AT
tool
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Tap to Talk
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Give a non-verbal child the portable, customizable,
affordable, socially acceptable communication device
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A communication software program that turns a handheld
IPod, IPad, IPhone, nook color, computer, Android, Nintendo
DSI or DS Lite into an augmentative and alternative
communication (AAC) device.
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It allows the child to request using visuals from a variety of
menus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH1SADGD0Yo&feature=player_embedded at=51
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Special Features
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TapToTalk Designer can be customized for your child
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1. Choose your pictures
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2. Add text and sounds
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3. Organize picture albums
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Choose from our library of over 2500 pictures.
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Add your own pictures or photos
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Add pictures from other
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5 ways to integrate the AT tools
across the school day
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Child could express how they feel in a particular time of the
day. If they like or dislike an activity.
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Child could request activity or center they would prefer
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Child could use it during lunch to request food selection
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Child could use it to ask for permission to go to the bathroom
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Child could make a book selection or a preferred toy.
+ Why the AT tool is effective for
students with ASD specifically
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Some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are non verbal and require the
assistance of visuals and AT devices in order to communicate.
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Other students with ASD are verbal yet visuals facilitate their communication
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Communication breakdowns can be a “root” cause of problems in social interaction,
educational performance, and behavior. Current thinking suggests that communication
impairments transcend all aspects of the life of students with autism, Asperger’s
Syndrome, and others with moderate to severe communication or behavior challenges.
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While it is common for educational programming to establish a focus on the
development of communication skills for these students, that focus tends to be directed
toward developing the student’s expressive communication skills.
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Understanding the communication of others, trying to figure out what is happening or
not happening, handling changes and transitions, and interpreting cues and signals in
the environment can all be areas of difficulty for this population
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An important goal when working with these students is to create an environment that
will support communication and make communication breakdowns less likely to occur.
This is accomplished in part by developing a system of visual tools and aids to increase
communication effectiveness.
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Using visually supported communication is an extremely helpful approach for students
with communication and behavior challenges. Expanding the use of visual strategies is
a needed dimension in developing appropriate communication skills, social interaction
skills, and positive behavior for many students.
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Where can you purchase this tool,
the cost, level of expertise needed
to utilize it, APA reference.
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You could purchase it online
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http://www.taptotalk.com/index.aspx
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Or in an apple store
The application is free for all the devices yet a one year
subscription cost only $99.95 if you want to customize and
have more exclusive features.
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Other applications for IPad,
IPhone, or IPods
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https://fiu.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?ta
b_tab_group_id=_1_1
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http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/Good_Karma_Appl
ications/FTVS_About.html
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http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/Good_Karma_Appl
ications/CB_About.html
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Visual Schedule
Summary and description of AT
tool
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Consistent daily use of an individualized visual schedule will
increase a child's organization skills and independent
functioning throughout all aspects of his life and will ease
transition through adulthood.
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Each child's individual needs should be considered in
designing his personal visual schedule.
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It should be noted that visual schedules are as important
for the child to use at school as at home.
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"Visual Schedule” Mini schedules/routines can also be
incorporated as needed into the child's day.
+  The information given to the child through a visual mode
is extremely critical in helping him to understand the
day's events and their sequence
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"Object Schedule”-A visual schedule will give the child the
following information:
 What is currently happening;
 What is coming up next (the sequence of events);
 When they are "all done" with something;
 Any changes that might occur.
"first-then" strategy, that is, "first you do ___, then you do
___", rather than an "if-then" approach (i.e., "if you do ___,
then you can do___"). The "first" activity can be modified as
needed to accommodate the child's changing ability to
process in-coming information. Once this is done, then he
can move on to his next visually scheduled task/activity. It is
important for the child to indicate that he is "all done" with a
scheduled activity. For example he can cross out/check off
the scheduled item, or place the scheduled activity
object/photo/Picture Communication Symbol (PCS) in an "all
done" envelope.
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Special Features
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It could be adapted easily and created out of simple
materials that can be bought or even that you might have at
home.
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Materials you need:
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Poster board
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Velcro
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Computer printed pictures (ex. board maker trial can be
downloaded to create visuals for the schedule
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/downloads/trials/ )
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Laminate for durability
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5 ways to integrate the AT tools
across the school day
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Why the AT tool is effective for
students with ASD specifically
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Increasing comprehension of tasks/activities/situations is
essential in addressing skill areas such as organization,
attending, self help, following directions, following rules and
modifying behavior. As a result, the child becomes more
independent. The following "low" tech visual support
strategies can be created and used to assist the child in
increasing his comprehension skills and thus decreasing the
occurrence of challenging behaviors
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Where can you purchase this tool,
the cost, level of expertise needed
to utilize it, APA reference.
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There are numerous ways to present visual schedules.
Example: object schedule, 3-ring binder schedule, clipboard
schedule, manila file folder schedules, dry erase board