Assistive technology and adaptive technology BY: BRANDIE OSBORN

What is assistive technology?  Is technology that can help children with learning disabilities leverage their strengths and work around or compensate for specific learning problems.

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Facts about assistive technology  Assistive technology can be low tech and high tech.  It can be critical for the person using it  IDEA act states that school districts must consider assistive technology for any child in special education classes.

What can assistive technology do for your students with learning disabilites  It can minimize the extent to which students with learning disabilities need to ask for help.  It enables them to become more independent learners.  It helps students fit in with classroom learning and routines.  It motivates students to set high goals for themselves.  It helps students function at a level that works well with their intelligence.  It can help students to reach their full potential giving them the greater freedom and independences along the way.

Examples of assistive technologies Low  Highlighters  Color coded files  Books on tape High  Computers that have software that can read text aloud.  Speech recognition  Speech recognition that can turn oral language into written text.  Talking calculators that assist students with math difficulties.  Software that predicts and edits words  Ipads

How to get assistive technology  A qualified evaluator must complete an assistive technology evaluation.  If the evaluator recommends a device it must be acquired by the school.  If you, your child, or the staff in your Childs school needs training to use the device the training must be provided.

Adaptive technology  Adaptive technology is used to describe hardware or software that is used to help individuals with disabilities use computers.

Examples of adaptive technologies  Screen reading software  Screen magnification  Smart table  Smart board  Dynavox  Flip page turner  Reading pens  Text readers

Importance of providing assistive technology.  I feel providing assistive technology in the classroom is very important for students with disabilities. I feel this way because one it helps the students do better in class. Two it helps them feel better about themselves and being a classroom with other students. Third it helps them become more motivated. Lastly it gives them more freedom and independence in the classroom and with them doing their school work. I would definitely push for assistive technology in the school I would be teaching at.

Work cited  "Assistive Technology in Action." YouTube. YouTube, 07 Dec Web. 23 Mar  "Eat Smart for a Great Start Newsletter." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 23 Mar  "National Center for Learning Disabilities." Homepage Banner Rotator RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar