Discerning how, when, and why students should access Assistive Technology to support learning involves many levels of decision making. It all starts with the IEP, the student’s present levels of performance, his educational needs, and the impact those needs have on learning. Thank goodness there is help! The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative provides a series of tools for educators and parents. The WATI Assistive Technology Consideration Guide is a great place to start if you suspect that there are tools that are necessary to support a student’s learning.
For example, if a student has an issue with writing, it can seriously impact that student’s ability to function in the classroom and do grade level work. For our purposes, we will assume an upper elementary age male child and begin our assessment and decision making there. He may not be able to express thoughts, opinions, or ideas on paper. How will he form complete sentences and/or organized paragraphs? How can Assistive Technology help him?
Discerning how, when, and why students should access Assistive Technology to support learning involves many levels of decision making. It all starts with the IEP, the student’s present levels of performance, his educational needs, and the impact those needs have on learning. Thank goodness there is help! The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative provides a series of tools for educators and parents. The WATI Assistive Technology Consideration Guide is a great place to start if you suspect that there are tools that are necessary to support a student’s learning.
http://www.wati.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WATI-Assessment.pdf [PDF file]
THE WATI
Enter the WATI Assistive Technology Consideration Guide. First, the team must agree on the impact of this issue. While many are possible, let’s assume that the major impact for this student is his ability to do grade level work in the classroom and express his thoughts on paper in an organized paragraph. The question becomes whether there is currently assistive technology- either devices, tools, hardware, or software that might help address this need?
Referring to the Assistive Technology Continuum, there are Low Tech, Mid Tech, and High-Tech tools to consider. Have any been tried? Is there data to support the trials? Possible Low-Tech tools include specialized pens, raised paper, highlighters, post -its, and slanted surfaces. Mid Tech Tools include tape recorders, spell checkers and dictionaries. High Tech tools include word prediction software, word banks, and word processors.
Finally, would the use of these assistive technology tools support the student in performing this skill more easily in the least restrictive environment? If the answer is yes, it is time to consult with the IEP team and document this need, its impact, and interventions that might be helpful.
Based on lack of progress on IEP goals, the Committee on Special Education must consider a student’s need for assistive technology devices and/or services, as well as possible modifications and accommodations. If a student needs such devices and/or services, the appropriate sections of the IEP must specify the:
- nature of the assistive technology to be provided;
- services the student needs to use the assistive technology device;
- frequency, and duration of such services;
- location where the assistive technology devices and/or services will be provided; and
- whether such a device is required to be used in the student’s home or another setting in order for the student to receive a free appropriate public education.
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/iepguidance/present.htm
GOALS
Goals must be written accordingly, and I recommend using the concept of a SMART Goal. A specific goal which is measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely has a greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal.
https://east.madison.k12.wi.us/files/east/Smart%20Goals%20Information%20CC%2011_0.pdf [PDF file]
Here is an example of an objective taken directly from an AT-Resource Guide for written communication which utilizes Assistive Technology:
Goal: Jon will use an electronic graphic organizer to write an opening topic, a closing, and three supporting detail sentences to construct a five-sentence paragraph, by the end of the first semester.
Objective: Given five sentences in an electronic graphic organizer, Jon will identify and arrange the opening topic, the closing, and three supporting detail sentences to create a paragraph, by the end of the first six weeks of school.
https://www.ocali.org/up_doc/AT_Resource_Guide_6.pdf [PDF file]
IN THE IEP
Another resource which offers support to parents in understanding what Assistive Technology is and how to get it into a student’s IEP is noted below:
https://adayinourshoes.com/assistive-technology/
Once the tools have been obtained, how does one manage the Assistive Technology? Who trains the teachers and parents? Who trains the student? But that is a whole other discussion!
Even if the present levels of performance indicate a student who can participate in a discussion, that doesn’t mean he can write about it. A basic understanding of texts and current events is not the issue. However, ask him to summarize that information in a paragraph and the sky falls down. On the IEP, present levels of performance are recorded, and appropriate sources of data have been discussed and administered. These have included both formal and informal assessments, with work samples, and data charts to show progress or lack of progress over time. Are there modifications and accommodations that have been incorporated? Have these interventions resulted in significant progress or is this student still having difficulty responding to a writing prompt.
FINAL NOTES
In conclusion, Assistive Technology provides many tools to support learning and can result in a positive outcome. It is a timely process, but one worth pursuing. Better to know what works sooner rather than later. Assess the student’s needs, document the impact on learning, and then choose the appropriate tool to support learning in the least restrictive environment. Keep accurate data to demonstrate progress.
If you suspect your child could benefit from assistive technology, reach out to the professionals involved in his education. In addition, access the sites documented in this article. I’ve only presented one need, and that is for writing. I haven’t even touched on communication, mobility, motor aspects of writing, reading, learning and studying, math, recreation, or activities of daily living, vision, hearing, and language processing. Understand that the array of Assistive Technology Tools is vast. Following a process to obtain these tools may be involved, but it can result in access to tools that can help this child for life.
Antonia Guccione, MA; MS
Antonia is a consultant, educator, and author with over forty years’ experience working with students of all ages, strengths, and needs.