Final Flashcards
what is AT?
AT bridges the gap between a childs functional skills and his ability to participate in the educational process. It breaks through the barriers associated w/ vision, hearing, communication, processing and motor skills and allows students to do the same things as their general education peers.
What is Assistive technology devices identified as in the IDEA 2004?:
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 children w disabilities.
What is AT abandonment and why is it important?
Lack of training
Insufficient funding
Time restriction
Ineffective assessment & planning process
Procurement and management difficulties
Policy barriers
Society prejudice
Knowledge & skill barriers
Access barriers
how to Avoid AT Abandonment
Is it ACCEPTABLE?
If it is not, it is rejected
Is it TRUSTWORTHY?
“When i hit this switch this happens everytime, and if not it will be rejected)
Is it ADAPTABLE?
“I can use this in this room as well as that room” → can change based on user needs
Is it FIT for PURPOSE?
This device is going to assist me to do this therefore it must do X, Y, & Z under A B C circumstances
If not it will be rejected
What are things to think about AT?
AT provides TOOLS for people
EFFECTIVE AT doesn’t have to be expensive
Ppl w/ the same disability do NOT always benefit from the same AT
Professionals are not the only source of info about a student’s needs
What are NO TECH strategies?
-Seating strategies for distractibility
(sit near the teacher, sit near the door)
-Specific planning
Breaking tasks into smaller manageable steps
Supporting directions & steps to activities
-Thoughtful universal design & environmental design considerations
HOW the classroom/home is set up
What are LOW TECH AT strategies? examples?
Simple, less complex items/ devices
Examples:
Pencil grips
Timers
Adaptive feeding utensils
Ball chairs, fidgets, weighted vests/ blankets
Keyboard stickers
Printed laminated visuals
Visual schedules/sequences
Benefits:
Provides consistency
Clear expectations
Increases independence
Helps w/ transitions
Reduced auditory prompts
Object schedules
What are HIGH TECH AT?
Dynamic display speech generating devices
Computers & software systems
What to do with SGD?
Conduct & interdisciplinary evaluation
Put the individual before the device
Collaborate & have an action plan
Use trial and error
Consider AT at every IEP
Focus on goals, documentation, & measurable outcomes
Train the team
What not to do with SGD?
Dont rely solely on standardized assessment
Dont start w/ the device in mind
Dont rely on a one size fits all approach
Dont expect a device to fix everything w/out customization and training
Dont solely rely on a high tech device
What is AAC?
An area of clinical practice that supplements or compensates for impairment in speech language production & comprehension & written modes of communication
What is Augment ?
Make something greater by adding to it ; increase
Adds to … sign, pics, etc.
What is alternative?
One or more available options
Find a new way
What is Unaided AAC?
NO external equipment or technology is needed
Ex
Vocalization, gesture, ASL, eye blind codes
What is Aided AAC?
Some equipment or technology is needed
Low tech - picture boards
High tech - SGD, tables, phones
Why AAC?
Allows for effective and efficient engagement in a variety of activities and interactions
What is the main purpose of AAC?
Wants / Needs
Information transfer
Social closeness
Social etiquette
Internal dialogue
Who is on the AAC team?
User
Family / caregiver
Communication partners
Task setting
Professionals
Factors to consider include the clients
Age
Needs
Capabilities
What are the team responsibilities?
Assessment
Assessment guide intervention
Implement intervention
Evaluate tx
Modify as needed
Where to begin assessment?
Immediate needs
-Start by addressing the clients immediate needs
Room to grow
-The assessment process is dynamic and cyclical. We need to account for shifts from the client, environment, and activities
What is a VALID and RELIABLE assessment?
1.Skilled practitioners
2.The consumer must be able to participate
3.Meaningful based on the individual needs
4.Cultural and linguistic considerations
5.Include a sufficient sample/ opportunities
6.Meet current needs
What is participation model?
- conduct interview
- social networks
- communication needs survey
- participation inventory
What are domain for assessment?
Receptive/expressive language
Symbol representation
Literacy
Cognition
motor/access
Vision
hearing
AAC Intervention - what are the basic principles?
Select & personalize AAC
Instruction of the strategies & skills the consumer needs
Instruction for communication partner across contexts
