Utilizing Assistive Technology for Communication and Behavior
What does the law say about AT?
• Age of eligibility for special education services and related services lowered to age 3
• Handicapped Infants and Toddlers Program established (Part H, 0-3)
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (100-407) - 1988
Assistive Technology Device
Categories
• Aids for daily living
• Communication
• Instructional material aids
• Sensory aids
• Mobility aids
• Environmental control systems
• Home/work modifications
• Seating and positioning aids
• Leisure and recreational adaptations
Assistive Technology Service
• Assessment
• Purchasing, leasing, or providing for acquisition of devices
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing devices
• Coordinating of therapies, interventions, or services
• Training and technical assistance for the individual and/or family
• Training and technical assistance for professionals
Candidates
• Congenital conditions
• Degenerative conditions
• Acquired disabilities
• Temporary conditions
IDEA - 1990
Technology & Behavior
No Tech -
• Understanding autism
• Challenging behaviors are sometimes misinterpreted as a sensory need.
Low Tech
• Visual supports
• Super symbols
• Earned breaks
• First/then
• Red/green behavior
• Class rules taped to the desk
• Good choices list
• Specific situation cards
• If something is wrong I can.
• Calming down activity board
• Stimuli Tolerance Activity Cards
• Activity Termination signals
• Social Stories & Scripts
• Comic Strip conversations
• Turn taking cards
• Wait, Help, Waiting hands
• Social rule cards
Mid Tech
• Time timer
• Watch minder
• Audio taping to make the student aware
High Tech
• Computer - Kidtools software creating their own behavior plan.
Technology & Sensory Input
No Tech
• Proprioceptive - Deep pressure, proximity
• Vestibular - movement breaks
• Auditory - regulation of pitch, volume and rate
• Visual - minimize clutter, use color purposefully
Low Tech
• Proprioceptive - Weighted items,
• Vestibular - alternative seating
• Tactile - fidgets
• Multisensory - break cards
• Auditory - use of headphones or soft music
Mid - tech
• Multisensory - choice board with voice output
High-Tech
• Visual - computer games and software
Technology & Receptive Communication
No Tech
• Slow down
• Pause
• KISS
• Prompt Hierarchy
Low Tech
• Schedules
• Mini-schedules
• First/Then
• Activity Schedules
• Calendars
• Universal “no”
• “Change” symbol
• Visual Directions
• “All done” symbols
Technology & Expressive Communication
No Tech
Slow down
Pause
KISS
Prompt Hierarchy
Low Tech
Manual Communication Board
Picture Exchange Communication System
Break cards
Choice cards
“All done” symbols
Topic wallet
Past Event Cards
Mid Tech
• Voice Output Communication Aid’s
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High Tech
• Video Taping
• Advanced Voice Output Communication Aids
• Portable Words Processors
• Computer
Technology & Academics
No Tech
• Reading
• Use Interest Areas as Motivation and Concept Builders
Low Tech
• File Folder Activities
• Highlighter Tape
• Magnetic Letters, Words & Numbers
• Work System
Mid Tech
• Voice Output Communication Aids
• Overhead projector
High Tech
• Video Taping
• Computers
• Adaptive Hardware
• Touch Window
• Intellikeys
• Big Keys
• Trackballs
• Software
Technology & Organization
No Tech
• Prioritizing
Low Tech
• Check lists
• To-do list
• Color coding
• Work Boxes
• Tabs
• Accordion Files
• Grids
• Planners
• Page Ups
Mid Tech
• Time Timer
• Voice Recorder
• Watch Alarm
High Tech
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• Computer software