1. Welcome to Survey of Special Needs Unit 8 Seminar Prof. Jeri McElwee, MA SpEd 2010

2. Our agenda for tonight’s seminar is to discuss Assistive Technology and Final Project We will start shortly. Feel free to chat awhile. We have so much to learn tonight, so get ready!

3. PLUK. (1997). Family Guide to Assistive Technology. Retrieved from PLUK.org website. (The link cannot be included due to the platform for seminars).

4. What are some examples of low-tech assistive technology? How can low-tech assistive technology be used for young children with disabilities in the classroom? Discuss specific examples.

5. What are some examples of high-tech assistive technology? How can high-tech assistive technology be used for young children with disabilities in the classroom? Discuss specific examples

6. The Action Plan For your final project, you will apply this knowledge by interpreting an Action Plan, which can be compared to the IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) that must be developed for many special needs children as required by law. While the Action Plan you will be reading about in this final project is not in the format of an IEP, the information included is comparable. A paraprofessional working with special education students may be expected to provide instruction, tailor activities, and guide and monitor students in accordance with such a plan. Therefore, your ability to accurately read and interpret this plan, and to apply appropriate strategies, is important. To begin, read the Action Plan of an imaginary student named Kelly Billson by clicking here: Kelly's Action Plan. You may want to print a copy of it to refer to as you complete your final project.Kelly's Action Plan

7. Some specific goals for Kelly Discuss some strategies to use to reach these goals. Consider some goals you might set for Kelly in light of her strengths and weaknesses. Create goals and strategies for each of the areas noted on her Action Plan: – academics, – communication, – emotional/social, and – motor skills. Discuss ethical responsibility-confidentiality issues Some possible issues you might consider as you create goals and strategies for Kelly are:

8. Academics: Goals you want her to reach a detailed analysis of the student’s strengths and weaknesses; a discussion of the teacher and/or paraprofessional role in addressing weaknesses; modifications/accommodations; strategies to address academic needs; and use of technology

9. Communication: Goals you want her to reach a detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses; identification of frustration or trigger points; strategies to address communication needs; identification of social issues contributing to communication issues; accommodations/modifications; and technology.

10. Emotional/Social: Goals you want her to reach a detailed analysis of issues contributing to self- esteem/social issues; strategies to develop social relationships; specific ODD techniques; parental/teacher support; development of strengths for improvement; and behavioral strategies

11. Motor Skills: a discussion of ways to use motor skills to develop other areas (social/emotional, communication, academics); and ideas of how to incorporate strength in other ways.

12. 00 Some other things to remember when completing your paper. Make sure you:  Use the project template in Doc Sharing  have a title page  write 4 or more full pages (length) for the body of your paper  used Times New Roman 12 font or Arial 12 font only.  double space the text  indent each paragraph  use citations within the body of your paper  PROOFREAD your project, use spell check, make sure you have complete sentences, and your paper makes sense.  included a Reference page Title Page References Page Body of Your Paper

13.  Incompletes provide students with limited additional time to complete coursework after the term’s end.  To be considered for an incomplete, you should have completed approximately 75% of the coursework.  Please see the Kaplan University catalog for further information.  Whether or not to grant an incomplete is your instructor’s decision.  The deadline for requesting an incomplete for this term is _____________.  Incomplete coursework is due ______________.

14. Thank you for attending tonight! I’ll see you in the discussion boards.