1. Making Informed Assistive Technology Decisions for Students with High Incidence Disabilities Laura Buck Tara Raub Mary Buyze

2. What is Assistive Technology?! In your groups, define AT for a parent.In your groups, define AT for a parent.

3. Summary of Article Overall, this article provides resources for the special education teacher to understand, identify, implement, and assess assistive technology available for the students.Overall, this article provides resources for the special education teacher to understand, identify, implement, and assess assistive technology available for the students. Main purpose: provide information on necessary materials for pre-service teachers to gain experience and adequate training.Main purpose: provide information on necessary materials for pre-service teachers to gain experience and adequate training.

4. Legislation The Assistive Technology Act of 1998: expanded IDEA and provided additional funding for ATThe Assistive Technology Act of 1998: expanded IDEA and provided additional funding for AT

5. Defining Assistive Technology Any item, piece of equipment, or product systemAny item, piece of equipment, or product system Acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customizedAcquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized Used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.Used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. Range from low-high techRange from low-high tech

6. AT Checklist to Prepare for IEP Individual’s abilities Individual’s abilities The nature of tasks the student completes The nature of tasks the student completes The context to which the task will be performed The context to which the task will be performed The type of AT device the student is using The type of AT device the student is using ***See Table 1 on pg. 22 for Facilitating IEP Questions

7. AT Training The importance of training and what the training should entail.The importance of training and what the training should entail.

8. Monitoring Progress The need for monitoring progress after the use of AT.The need for monitoring progress after the use of AT.

9. Discussion… How do you find AT? What should you know about AT going into an IEP? How do you determine what AT is appropriate for the student? Explain the continuum of AT. How should you monitor the use of AT? What does legislation say about AT? How can you become trained in the use of AT? Why is it important to become trained?

10. Concluding Remarks See Assistive Technology Resources ChartSee Assistive Technology Resources Chart (pg. 25) (pg. 25) Here I come to save the day…bringing assistive technology to students with special needs!!!