Commonly Used Assistive Technology

Hopefully you have read some of my previous posts about the AT Continuum and have also visited the AT Internet Modules I mentioned in my previous post. With that, I wanted to share some commonly used AT devices seen in classrooms today. It is important to become generally knowledgeable with these items; so first and foremost, you do not feel intimidated or ignorant to their use in your classroom. While it is difficult to become an expert in all AT devices or software, it does not hurt to explore and research.

In this post I will share some common AT devices and software used in the classroom. Within each category I will share the type of learners that would benefit from the specific device and some additional information about specific programs or items that have been tested in classrooms today.

-Word Prediction Software-

What is it?   a student with word processing by predicting a word that they were intending on typing.
Applicable Individuals: Students with spelling and phonetic difficulties, LD, ID, dyslexia
Resources: http://www.aurora-systems.com/pages/learning.html: Aurora Suite 2005
http://donjohnston.com/cowriter/ : Co:Writer7

-Talking Word Processor Software-

What is it? Provide speech feedback as the student writes/types, echoing each letter as it is typed, and the space bar.
Applicable Individuals: LD, ID, Visually Impaired
Resources: 

http://www.readingmadeez.com/products/talkingwordprocessor.html : Talking Word Processor
http://donjohnston.com/communicate/  : Write Out Loud
http://www.texthelp.com/North-America : TextHelp ,  Read&Write though Windows
http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/ : Text to Speech plug-in for Microsoft Word

-Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software-

What is it? Helps a student to write without typing or using a keyboard. This software is comprehensively explained in the Automatic Speech Recognition Module that I explained in my previous post.

Applicable Individuals: Writing difficulties, poor muscle movement (CP), or struggles with OT.

Resources: Dragon Naturally Speaking 

 -Scan and Read Software-

What is it? Students and teachers can scan pictures or text and upload it onto a computer.  The software will then read the text aloud and the students can change the font, size, characters, or highlight the text to have it read back to them.
Applicable Individuals: Supports low readers, LD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ESL, ADHD, and students with poor vision.
Resources:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/openbook-product-page.asp : OpenBook
http://www.wynnwizard.com : Wynn Wizard

-Books on CD-

What is it? Read books aloud for students so they can hear the correct phonetics, rate, voice, and fluency. Many teachers are familiar with this type of technology and use it in their classrooms already, specifically in primary environments, such as in the use of centers.

Applicable Individuals: At the primary age, great for all students! Supports low readers, LD, Dyslexia, ID, ESL, ADHD, and low vision.
Resources:
http://www.audiobooks.com/ : Audio Books for downloads on Iphone or tablet.
http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks : Open Culture has many FREE downloads.
http://www.storynory.com/ : StoryNory has many free audio books for children in your classroom.
http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/order_form.asp : Many books for children, but a subscription is needed!

-Multisensory Educational Software-

What is it? Allows a student to use more than one of their senses during instruction (ex: hearing as well as seeing).
Applicable Individuals: LD, ID, ADHD, ADD, explores all learning styles.
Resources:
http://www.touchmath.com/: Touch Math
http://www.earobics.com/overview/sel.php: Earobics 
http://orton-gillingham.com/frmMain.aspx : Orton Gillingham

The school district that I currently work for uses Earobics for Kindergarten and 1st grade and for the low readers in 2nd grade. They also use StarFall.

 -Adapted Keyboards-

What is it? Traditional keyboards may not be beneficial for all types of students, especially those with difficulties in motor control. Adapted Keyboards are structured to adapt the typing experience in a variety of ways. I posted about adapted keyboards a few weeks ago. Check it out!
Applicable Individuals: CP or low gross motor skills.
Resources:
http://www.enablemart.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=keyboards : Provides a variety of keyboard options.
http://www.infogrip.com/products/keyboards/ : Infogrip Keyboards.
http://www.maltron.com/keyboard-info : Maltron (one handed keyboards, mouth/handstick keyboards, expanded keyboards).

-Portable Word Processor-

What is it? A portable word processor is lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g., from classroom to home). It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.

Applicable Indiviudals: Students who struggle with writing.

Resources:

 http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/961-portable-word-processors.gs

-Assisted Literacy Software-

What is it? Helps students develop their literacy skills. 

Applicable Individuals: Students with reading disabilities, such as dyslexia. 

Example: Computer Assisted Literacy Solution (CALS). CALS helps students develop phonemic awareness, decoding and comprehension skills, as well as reading fluency. 

  

-Voice Output Communication Device (VOCD)-

What is it?  Provides opportunities to students with developmental disabilities, cognitive disabilities, or non-verbal with communicating socially and academically.
Applicable Individuals: ID, Autisim, Non-Verbal
Resources:
http://www.ttacnews.vcu.edu/2011/01/evidence-based-practice-for-communication-includes-speech-generating-devices/ : Virginia Department of Education (Includes: GoTalk and SpringBoard)

-Type to Learn Software-

What is it? Software that provides students with keyboarding skills, and typing fluency.
Applicable Individuals: Low gross-motor skills, learning disabled, and any student who has trouble typing.
Resources:
http://ttl4.sunburst.com/ : Type to Learn
http://www.typinginstructor.com/ : Typing Instructor
http://www.bytesoflearning.com/english/view/1543: Ultra Key

This software can be purchased by school districts and all students can have access to their own personal account, which logs their progress and tiers their experiences to their individual typing ability. The district I previously worked in pushed the use of this program among the entire elementary student body. I do not recommend this kind of implementation. This software can become dull and redundant!

-Electronic Touch Tablet-

What is it? An interactive electronic tool that let's students use a multisensory approach with just a touch screen portable device. We have all seen them. Think about an I pad!
Applicable Individuals: Low gross motor skills, learning disabled, ADHD, Autisim, ID, LD, Visually Impaired.
Resources:
Nexus 10 , Google Android, Apple Ipad