INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGYSESSION 6ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY & AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATIONIPAD

Agenda

AT

iPad

Project questions

Lauren Costa’s Presentation

Assistive Technology in a Severe Special Education Classroom

LAUREN COSTA, M.ED, LICSW

Definition of Assistive Technology

“Assistive technology 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 that device.”

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Types of Assistive Technology Used

Positioning and Mobility

Communication

Sensory Integration

Leisure/Access to the Environment

Reading

Writing

Assistive Technology – Positioning and Mobility

Orthotics

Wheelchairs

Walkers & Gait Trainers

Standers

Bathroom Chairs

Recreational Seating

Orthotics

Orthosis: a brace that supports any part of the body through any of the following means:

Helps eliminate pain or further injury through immobilization

Supports non-functional parts of the body

Controls the motion of a functional body part

Common Orthotics

AFO

Body Jacket

“AFO”

Picture & Information Provided by: http://www.eagleorthopaedics.com/ortho.html

“Body Jacket”

TLSO Brace – Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis

Commonly used with children who have curvature in the spine

Halts progression of scoliosis by correcting posture by supporting the shoulders, back and abdomen

Picture Provided by: http://reflectionsonthejourneyhome.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

Wheelchairs

Promotion of Independence

Things to consider:

Classroom layout

Safety navigating classroom & hallway

Picture Provided by: http://wheelchairassistance.com/power-wheelchair/head-controlled-power-wheelchair.php

Walkers & Gait Trainers

Walkers

Individualized support

Child uses legs to hold their weight

Gait Trainers

Equipment holds child’s weight so that child may use legs

Opportunity to move using feet

Seat, harness & accessory supports

Picture Provided By: http://tadpoleadaptive.com/rifton-pacer-medium.html

Standers

Academic Benefits

Access materials

Social Benefits

Same level as peers

Physical Benefits

Strong bones

Increased flexibility

Decreases tension & constipation

Improves breathing & digestion

Picture and Information Provided by: http://tadpoleadaptive.com/standers.html

Toileting Systems

Things to consider:

Storage

Increased time for toileting needs

Privacy Concerns

Picture Provided by: http://tadpoleadaptive.com/rifton-small-toilet-system-2.html

Assistive Technology – Communication Aids

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

AAC Devices & Methodologies

Communication Aids – Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Dynamic Displays

Auditory Scanning

Facilitated Communication

Definition of Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

“Methods of communication other than oral speech that enhance or replace conventional forms of expressive and receptive communication to facilitate interaction by and with persons with disabilities who are nonverbal or have limited speech”

MA Educator Licensure and Preparation Program

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Developed in 1985 by Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D. & Lori Frost, M.S., CCC/SLP

Intervention for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities

Created for families, resident care providers & educators so that it may be used in a range of settings

Based on B.F. Skinner’s book, Verbal Behavior

Utilizes prompting & reinforcement strategies

Encourages independent communication

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

The Base Elements of PECS

Functional Activities

Skills & activities that lead to independence

Powerful Reinforcers

Powerful motivation that drives learning

Functional Communications

Skills that are useful now & in the future

Contextually Inappropriate Behaviors

Focus on functionally equivalent alternative behaviors

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

How to Communicate

Goal: Approach people to initiate communication

Teach 3 Step Sequence: Pick up, reach, release

One picture at a time (no discrimination)

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP48lxnNdHM

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

2. Distance & Persistance

Communication Partner moves away from student

One picture taught

Variety of people, activities, locations, reinforcers involved

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr3lQXNEcps

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

3. Picture Discrimination

3a.Motivation to use correct picture = getting desired item & avoiding undesired item

Reinforce at first indication of choice

3b. Equally reinforcing items with correspondence checks

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

4.Building Sentences

“I want” + reinforcer picture put on sentence strip

Entire strip given to communication partner

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

5. Answering “What do you want?”

Leads to commenting

Maintain spontaneity

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Six Phases of PECS

6. Commenting

Answering “comment” questions: “What do you see/have/hear/fee?”

Discriminating between commenting and requesting

Maintain spontaneity

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Research-based Benefits

Facilitates acquisition of speech

Increases social skills during play

Improvements in behavior management concerns

Can be used with peers & siblings

System can be implemented in schools and other environments

Dynamic Displays

User selects from an array of categories of pictures for the communication of messages, ideas, wishes, comments, needs, etc.

Touch screens allow user to access a large amount of vocabulary in one device

Voice output available

Unlike PECS, the user communicates through display rather than exchange

Dynamic Displays - GoTalk

Determine communication needs, create sheets & record messages

Helpful for students with limited fine motor skills

Dynamic Displays - DynaVox

Two Successful DynaVox Users

Sara Pyszka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlC8G5nNE7k

Augie Nieto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKFNqrmtZ4

Auditory Scanning

Form of dynamic display

Provides an oral choice from which the communicator can select a topic, letter, etc.

Used for those who cannot access tangible symbols, pictures, or a voice output communication device

Picture Provided By: http://mashley.net/blog.php?readpost=10

Assisted Auditory Scanning

Video of Partner Assisted Auditory Scanning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLb6-Oi3uR0

NAME

PROJECT

DATE

CLIENT

DATE

Eye Gaze Boards∗ INDIVIDUAL INDICATES SYMBOL THEY WANT USING “EYE POINTING”

∗ A COMMUNICATION PARTNER WATCHES AND INTERPRETS

∗ A HOLE OR CLEAR BOARD ALLOWS THE COMMUNICATION PARTNER TO WATCH THE INDIVIDUAL’S EYES

Date

Location

Communication Partner

Communication Breakdown

Resolved? How?

Communication Needs Assessments

Communication Needs Assessments

Questions to Ask

How frequently is the breakdown occurring?

Who, What, Where, When, Why?

How can we help the individual communicate? Are there systems already in place that we can add to?

How To Create Communication Aids

1. Determine the vocabulary needed to engage in communication exchange (activity, lesson, social situation, etc.)

2. Simplify vocabulary as needed

3. Provide visual supports as needed

4. Introduce, review, and practice new vocabulary in context

Facilitated Communication (FC) / Supported Typing

Individual uses pointing (pictures, letters, objects) or typing (keyboard) to express him/herself

Involved communication partner for emotional encouragement, behavior support, and physical support to assist individual in developing independence

Video of Tim Chan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=279h9QJ9ptw

Assistive Technology – Sensory Integration

Providing students with the opportunity to experience the world in a new way

Therapy balls

Squishy items (dog toys)

Stretches

Video about Multisensory Room & Therapeutic Listening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ip_ezmqfGo&feature=related

Assistive Technology – Leisure/Access to the Environment

Switches

Video about Switch Use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0CVVnw2s94&feature=related

Picture Provided By:

http://www.thesensorycompany.co.uk/catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=64

Resources

PECS Website: http://www.pecs.com/

DynaVox Website: http://www.dynavoxtech.com/default.aspx?s_kwcid=TC|16134|dynavox||S|e|15960397510&gclid=CKvnu-OrgLECFUITNAodITS-Aw

Syracuse University – Supported Typing: http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/what_is_supported_typing/default.aspx

Resources Continued

Article about Therapy Balls: http://life.gaiam.com/article/how-sitting-ball-helps-kids-focus-and-do-better-school

Practice

Create a powerpoint or keynote presentation - on any topic, just for fun.

Save and upload to slideshare & post on ning

Save and upload to Google docs

Try a little Prezi

Podcasting How To

Podcasting 101

What is podcasting

How to subscribe

Podcasting 102

Recording your own show

Podcasting 103

Recording a Skype conversation

iPad - a game changer

FreeTech4Teachers

Steve Jobs & Apps for Autism

60 Minutes

Links

iPodsibilities

Teaching Learners with Special Needs

Free Speech app

iPad

a blog post how iPad is used in a special education classroom

A Blog Post listing many apps

Apps Store has Special Education section

and our friend Cybrary man’s list

A handout for using iPad in the Special Education Classroom

More on the iPad

Live Binders on iPad in Schools - a tremendous amount of material

Mr. G Blog iPads, Web tools, math education

a CNN report

App Smackdown

iPad Apps in School great site by Richard Byrne

Even more on the iPad

ipads in the classroom - Kathy Schrock

Moms with apps blog

Smart Apps for Kids

my Pinterest board on iPad

iPodsibilities

blog, apps review, resources