As an advocate who attends many meetings for children receiving special education services I am always trying to figure out what might help your child be more successful in school and/or in life. As I sit at IEP meetings with families, I find myself suggesting assistive technology evaluations more and more frequently. We live in an age of technology. It is amazing to me how much is out there for our children who have learning differences. If you as a parent start reading and researching what is available to help your child have academic success in the classroom, and/or will lead to greater independence in life, you will soon be insisting on an assistive technology evaluation for your child.
I need to clarify that I am not to be considered an expert on this subject so I have gathered some information from experts for you to consider.
First what is Assistive Technology? Well according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Assistive Technology can be a device and/or a service.
Assistive Technology (AT) Device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such a device. (34 CFR 300.5) There are low tech and high tech devices out there. For example a pencil grip for a pencil would be very low tech, paper with raised lines would qualify as well. Wearing a weighted vest, or the use of fidgets, that help a child to focus on instruction are considered to be assistive technology. A personal computer which can be purchased anywhere, could be considered assistive technology. There are software products out there that will read to non readers, or a person who cannot read or write could dictate responses or information and turn it into a paper to be handed in like everyone else. Although many students may be using some of these examples, for a student with an IEP it would be considered a requirement to meet that child’s educational needs. In short we might define Assistive technology as:
Any item, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for learning difficulties.
A definition of assistive technology may be a system of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech tools and strategies that match a person's needs, abilities, and tasks.
A tool to assist in the accomplishment of tasks that would be difficult or impossible to complete
Assistive Technology (AT) Service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. (34 CFR 300.6) The services may include:
Evaluation of AT needs
Purchasing, leasing, or providing for acquisition of AT
Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, or adapting AT devices
Coordinating and using other therapies interventions, or services with AT devices
Training or technical assistance in use or operation of AT for child, family, or team members
Assistive technology services are those that are necessary to enable the student and or the IEP team to use any AT devices specified in the IEP.
What are some reasons to consider Assistive Technology for your child:
To have access to the Least Restrictive Environment
To meaningfully participate in the general curriculum
To participate in activities
To access educational/print materials, including textbooks
To access auditory information
For written communication/computer access
For communication
When the IEP team decides a child may need assistive technology, but needs more information to determine what would be appropriate they might decide to call in an AT consult or conduct a targeted AT assessment. In all cases in which the team determines that the student is in need of AT and checks ‘yes” on the special considerations portion of the IEP, then AT must be addressed in the IEP document.
It is the responsibility of the local educational agency (LEA) to provide Assistive Technology as identified within the IEP. IDEA states that ‘Each public agency must ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services, or both, as defined in 300.5 and 300.6 respectively, are made available to a child with a disability if required as a part of the child’s related services, or supplementary aids and services. The LEA is not required to purchase AT as needed they may purchase, rent or borrow AT. It is the LEA’s responsibility to maintain the Assistive Technology as well.
I encourage all parents to consider whether or not your child could benefit from assistive technology. What are their needs? Could they do well in the general education class if they had…? Go online, check things out, a disability does not have to limit your child’s success.
Information taken from:
Assistive Technology in the IEP (A guide for IEP teams) PA department of Education
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Assistive Technology Tools Tips and Tricks Technical Resource Center www.krcc.nsnet.org
Comments:
Friday, March 25, 2011 Submitted by: Amy G.
Thanks for including this article! Sometimes people are put off by the term, and may think it only refers to "high tech" costly devices (and sometimes people think it ONLY means communication devices). Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) can help parents think about the kinds of AT that can help, provide demonstrations and loans, and support families in approaching their school teams to “partner” with them in obtaining the AT their child needs for educational success.
Friday, March 25, 2011 Submitted by: Sue
Kathy, great information in your article. Another source for information is www.pattan.net and www.iu5.org (All Programs: Assistive Technology) for more resources and information.
