This document provides an overview of assistive technology that can be used in a severe special education classroom. It discusses various types of positioning and mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and standers. Communication aids like the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and dynamic displays are explained. Sensory integration equipment and multi-sensory rooms are also covered. Assistive technology for leisure activities, reading, and writing are described. Examples and resources are provided for each type.
2. ∗ “Assistive technology device means 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 a child with a disability. The
term does not include a medical device that is
surgically implanted, or the replacement of that
device.”
∗ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Definition of Assistive Technology
3. ∗ Developed by Joy Smiley Zabala (www.joyzabala.com)
∗ Student
∗ PLEP? Goals & Objectives? Special Needs?
∗ Environment
∗ What’s available? Physical arrangement? Instructional style? Upcoming
changes?
∗ Task
∗ Activities & Critical components? How to best support student?
∗ Tool
∗ No tech, low tech, high tech? Strategies for utilization?
S.E.T.T. Framework
4. ∗ Positioning and Mobility
∗ Communication
∗ Sensory Integration
∗ Leisure/Access to the Environment
∗ Reading
∗ Writing
Types of Assistive Technology Used
6. ∗ Orthosis: a brace that supports any part of the body
through any of the following means:
∗ Helps eliminate pain or further injury through
immobilization
∗ Supports non-functional parts of the body
∗ Controls the motion of a functional body part
∗ Common Orthotics
∗ AFO
∗ Body Jacket
Orthotics
7. “AFO”
∗ Picture & Information Provided by:
http://www.eagleorthopaedics.com/ortho.html
∗ Ankle Foot Orthosis
∗ Controls the movement of
the foot and ankle
∗ Commonly used for children
with Cerebral Palsy and
Muscular Dystrophy
∗ May be used to maintain a
good position of the foot
while seated or to create a
smoother gait pattern
8. “Body Jacket”
∗ TLSO Brace – Thoracic Lumbar
Sacral Orthosis
∗ Commonly used with children
who have curvature in the spine
∗ Halts progression of scoliosis by
correcting posture by supporting
the shoulders, back and
abdomen
∗ Picture Provided by:
http://reflectionsonthejourneyhome.blogspot.com
9. Wheelchairs
∗ Promotion of Independence
∗ Things to consider:
∗ Classroom layout
∗ Safety navigating classroom
& hallway
∗ Picture Provided by:
http://wheelchairassistance.com/power-wheelcha
10. Walkers & Gait Trainers
∗ Walkers
∗ Individualized support
∗ Child uses legs to hold their
weight
∗ Gait Trainers
∗ Equipment holds child’s weight so
that child may use legs
∗ Opportunity to move using feet
∗ Seat, harness & accessory
supports
∗ Picture Provided By:
http://tadpoleadaptive.com/rifton-pacer-medium.html
11. Standers
∗ Academic Benefits
∗ Access materials
∗ Social Benefits
∗ Same level as peers
∗ Physical Benefits
∗ Strong bones
∗ Increased flexibility
∗ Decreases tension & constipation
∗ Improves breathing & digestion
∗ Picture and Information Provided by: http://
tadpoleadaptive.com/standers.html
12. Toileting Systems
∗ Things to consider:
∗Storage
∗Increased time for toileting
needs
∗Privacy Concerns
∗ Picture Provided by:
http://tadpoleadaptive.com/rifton-small-toilet-system-2.html
13. Recreational Seating
∗ Commonly used for Leisure
Activities
∗ Things to consider:
∗Independence Level
∗Age Appropriateness
∗ Picture Provided by:
http://tadpoleadaptive.com/special-tomato-mps-push-chair-kit-small-1.html
14. ∗ Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
∗ AAC Devices & Methodologies
∗ Communication Aids – Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Dynamic Displays
∗ Auditory Scanning
∗ Facilitated Communication
Assistive Technology – Communication
Aids
15. ∗ “Methods of communication other than oral speech
that enhance or replace conventional forms of
expressive and receptive communication to facilitate
interaction by and with persons with disabilities who
are nonverbal or have limited speech”
∗ MA Educator Licensure and Preparation Program
Definition of Augmentative & Alternative
Communication (AAC)
16. ∗ Developed in 1985 by Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D. & Lori
Frost, M.S., CCC/SLP
∗ Intervention for individuals with autism and related
developmental disabilities
∗ Created for families, resident care providers &
educators so that it may be used in a range of settings
∗ Based on B.F. Skinner’s book, Verbal Behavior
∗ Utilizes prompting & reinforcement strategies
∗ Encourages independent communication
Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS)
17. ∗ The Base Elements of PECS
∗ Functional Activities
∗ Skills & activities that lead to independence
∗ Powerful Reinforcers
∗ Powerful motivation that drives learning
∗ Functional Communications
∗ Skills that are useful now & in the future
∗ Contextually Inappropriate Behaviors
∗ Focus on functionally equivalent alternative behaviors
Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
18. Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
1. How to Communicate
1. Goal: Approach people to
initiate communication
2. Teach 3 Step Sequence: Pick
up, reach, release
3. One picture at a time (no
discrimination)
4. Video:
https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mECI6PKVFiA
19. Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
∗ 2. Distance & Persistance
∗ Communication Partner
moves away from student
∗ One picture taught
∗ Variety of people, activities,
locations, reinforcers
involved
∗ Video:
∗ https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sAmH
20. Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
∗ 3. Picture Discrimination
∗ 3a.Motivation to use correct
picture = getting desired
item & avoiding undesired
item
∗ Reinforce at first indication
of choice
∗ 3b. Equally reinforcing items
with correspondence
checks
21. Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
∗ 4.Building Sentences
∗ “I want” + reinforcer
picture put on sentence
strip
∗ Entire strip given to
communication partner
22. Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
∗ 5. Answering “What do
you want?”
∗Leads to commenting
∗Maintain spontaneity
∗Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKQdMH7Wiok
23. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
∗ Six Phases of PECS
∗ 6. Commenting
∗ Answering “comment”
questions: “What do you
see/have/hear/feel?”
∗ Discriminating between
commenting and
requesting
∗ Maintain spontaneity
24. Picture Exchange Communication
System (PECS)
∗ Research-based Benefits
∗ Facilitates acquisition of
speech
∗ Increases social skills during
play
∗ Improvements in behavior
management concerns
∗ Can be used with peers &
siblings
∗ System can be implemented
in schools and other
environments
25. ∗ User selects from an array of categories of pictures for
the communication of messages, ideas, wishes,
comments, needs, etc.
∗ Touch screens allow user to access a large amount of
vocabulary in one device
∗ Voice output available
∗ Unlike PECS, the user communicates through display
rather than exchange
Dynamic Displays
26. Dynamic Displays - GoTalk
∗ Determine communication
needs, create sheets &
record messages
∗ Helpful for students with
limited fine motor skills
28. ∗ Sara Pyszka
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlC8G5nNE7k
∗ Augie Nieto
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKFNqrmtZ4
Two Successful DynaVox Users
29. Auditory Scanning
∗ Form of dynamic display
∗ Provides an oral choice from
which the communicator can
select a topic, letter, etc.
∗ Used for those who cannot
access tangible symbols,
pictures, or a voice output
communication device
∗ Picture Provided By:
http://mashley.net/blog.php?readpost=10
30. ∗ Video of Partner Assisted Auditory Scanning
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLb6-Oi3uR0
Assisted Auditory Scanning
31. Eye Gaze Boards
∗ Individual indicates symbol they
want using “eye pointing”
∗ A communication partner
watches and interprets
∗ A hole or clear board allows the
communication partner to watch
the individual’s eyes
32. ∗ Individual uses pointing (pictures, letters, objects) or
typing (keyboard) to express him/herself
∗ Involved communication partner for emotional
encouragement, behavior support, and physical
support to assist individual in developing
independence
∗ Video of Tim Chan
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=279h9QJ9ptw
Facilitated Communication (FC) /
Supported Typing
34. ∗ Questions to Ask
∗ How frequently is the breakdown occurring?
∗ Who, What, Where, When, Why?
∗ How can we help the individual communicate? Are there
systems already in place that we can add to?
Communication Needs Assessments
35. ∗ 1. Determine the vocabulary needed to engage in
communication exchange (activity, lesson, social
situation, etc.)
∗ 2. Simplify vocabulary as needed
∗ 3. Provide visual supports as needed
∗ 4. Introduce, review, and practice new vocabulary in
context
How To Create Communication Aids
36. Assistive Technology – Sensory
Integration
∗ Providing students with the
opportunity to experience the
world in a deeper way
∗ Therapy balls
∗ Fidgets
∗ Stretches
∗ Video about Sensory Processing
∗ https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw
∗ Video about Multi-Sensory Room
∗ https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lUK1RYM3Zs
39. Assistive Technology – Leisure/Access to
the Environment
∗Switches
∗Video about Switch Use
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0CVVnw2s94&feature=related
∗ Picture Provided By:
http://www.thesensorycompany.co.uk/catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=64
40. Assistive Technology - Reading
∗ Environmental Print
Materials
∗ Edmark Reading Program
∗ Power Point Books
∗ Boardmaker Materials
∗ Scanning Board
∗ Place Holders
∗ Picture Provided By:
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/edmark/index.html
41. Assistive Technology - Writing
∗ Pencil Grips
∗ Magnetic letters
∗ Graphic Organizers
∗ Enlarged Key Boards
∗ Paper holder
∗ Small White boards
∗ Picture Provided By:
http://frontporchphotography.com/services/page-ups/
