Visual Schedules and Supports

As teachers or parents working with children with disabilities, we often assume that the child “knows” the daily schedule. Do they really know? Think how lost you would be if someone took away your calendar, smart phone or schedule book.





Definition: A daily visual schedule is a critical component in a structured environment. A visual schedule will tell the student what activities will

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SLPs: AAC, Apps and Technology in the Practice

Using these little tricks that require your child to communicate, will teach them the power of communication.

I am not a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) but I do work side-by-side with many. SLP's in today's world must become experts in the technology world, just like many of us do today. I find myself sending supports to my fellow SLP's almost daily so thought it was time to have a

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Gizmos and Gadgets for all those Special Needs

What is the definition of Assistive Technology (AT)? Well, it is not just technology. Confusing, huh? There is a no-tech/low-tech category in AT which basically means, no batteries or cords that plug in. Sometimes with our population you just plain have to get creative. Think outside the box!




A few ideas:









Cue Classroom Scheduler
-  Is a pocket-sized Classroom Scheduler that

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iDevices - Learn these basic tricks to help you be more proficient

The more you play with your iDevice, the more you will learn. Here are a few of those little tricks worth knowing right away. Do it as you read each one. This will help it to go into your memory bank.(For more and up-dated tips, visit my Pinterest site: iDevice Tutorials, Guides and Info which provides links to videos and detailed information about specifics, such as Guided Access and many other

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Sign Language Resources

This is a listing of online signing resources from Judy Kuster's "Examples of Materials That Can Be Adapted For Therapy". Thank you Judith for allowing me to share this amazing list that you have compiled!!! Updates and additions will be made as time goes on and Apps have been added.



Signed Alphabet
Bill Vicar's ASL University has  

ASL hand shapes for the letters of the English

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IntelliTools Suite

IntelliTools Classroom Suite is only as dynamic as you make it. It "combines direct instruction with a flexible tool environment to help students in grades Pre K through 5 achieve mastery in reading, writing and math.

Classroom Suite 4 provides students with explicit instruction, constructive practice and embedded assessments to allow teachers to gauge progress and individualize

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Accessibility Built into your System

There are many accessibility options built right into the programming. 






Apple has always provided great accessibility options (explore: Apple's Commitment to Accessibility (which includes their iDevices) and Windows just keeps getting better. (In fact Windows 7 has a speech recognition program built in that is comparable to Dragon Naturally!) Your internet browsers are rich on options as

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Special Needs Gift Giving Guide

As stated by Cari Jean, "It's no secret that kids love toys. They see a new one on a television advertisement and tell their parents, "I want that!" If kids had their way, they would have every toy imaginable. Toys can be a great way for kids to use motor skills, to learn to play by themselves and to learn to share with others. But what happens when children do not have the required

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AT Apps and Specific Accessibility Options

Special Education has its own app category in the iTunes store. If you go to the App Store, go to Education and you will see a category for Special Education Apps, which is then broken down into categories. It is always good to do a little research on an app before purchasing it. Do a search and see if you can find some reviews or talk to others to see if they have tried it. This could save

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Assistive Technology and Early Start

The Early Start Program is California's response to federal legislation ensuring that early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system of services that are available statewide.



Infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months may be eligible for early intervention services if through documented

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Spinner Activities

All-Turn-It Spinner (Made by Ablenet)


 

This is one of my favorite tools in a classroom and for the home. A spinner is great for random choice making. Place choices on a circular board, and the student presses a switch (or the button in the lower corner) to make selections. But it's RANDOM! 

While the selection can be responded to as if it is a choice it should be understood that the

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Technology Integration Isn't About Technology

Education Week came out with a great article by By Patrick Ledesma on May 22, 2011, entitled, "Technology Integration Isn't About Technology". Some of the lines that created a "Yes!" response from me are:

It's about purpose and ease of use. We should focus on enhancing and enriching the learning experience by defining the goals and processes for why and how students will use technology.  
If

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Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) iDevice Apps and Visual Supports

Communication applications (apps), designed to be used on an iPhone, iTouch or iPad (iDevices), fit different cognitive and learning profiles just like all programs and devices do. Today, most people use multiple devices to address their daily communication needs. The idea that ANY one device can (or should) “do the job” for individuals with communication needs no longer makes sense.



The

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