Educating Special Needs StudentsUsing IEP’s and Assistive Technology

“Special Needs” defined:•Learning disabilities•Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD)•Emotional disorders•Cognitive challenges•Autism •Hearing impairment•Visual impairment•Speech or language impairment•Developmental delay

Two ways to educate students with special needs:

•Use Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s)

•Use Assistive Technology

Description of an IEP:

•Parents work with educators to develop a plan (IEP) to help students succeed in school

•IEP details goals set by parents, educators and other professionals

•IEP identifies resources that will be used to assist student in accomplishing educational goals

Determining if an IEP is necessary:

Teachers, parent or medical professional is concerned about academic performance.

Information is gathered by:

• a conference with parents• a conference with the student• observation of the student• analysis of the student's performance

(attention, behavior, work completion, tests, classwork, homework, etc.)

Implementing Assistive Technology to support special needs students

What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

“Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.”

Choosing the right AT for the right student• Collect child and family

information. Discuss child’s strengths and weaknesses

• Identify activities for participation. Discuss the various activities within the environments that a child encounters throughout the day. What is preventing him/her from participating more?

•  What can be observed that indicates the intervention is successful?

• Brainstorm AT solutions. Do the child’s needs include supports for movement, communication and/or use of materials? 

•  Try it out. Determine when the AT intervention will begin and create an observation plan to record how the child participates with the AT supports.

• Identify what worked, what didn’t work. Make modifications as needed.

Types of AT devices/interventions“Special Need” for AT device

Applicable AT device

1. Listening2. Note taking3. Organizing4. Reading 5. Writing

1. H.A.T. (hearing assistive technology)

2. Web Cam technology

3. LCD projection systems

4. Audio Books5. Word prediction

Software

In Conclusion . . . . .Parents, teachers and other school leaders have a duty to enhance the educational experience of special needs students by effectively utilizing IEP’s and appropriately leveraging assistive technology.