Utilizing Assistive Technology for Communication and Behavior

Utilizing Assistive Technology for Communication and Behavior

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

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