"Autistic Girl Expresses Profound Intelligence"

The story expressed in the video below is touching, heartbreaking and inspiring. The video highlights the story of a nonverbal girl who had grown up labeled severely autistic and mentally deficient. Everyone had a assumed that she was not able to speak or understand what they were saying until one life-changing day when she walked over to a laptop and typed the following words: "hurt" and "help." She then proceeded to throw up. Her family and therapists couldn't believe what happened! It was at this time, that her parents and therapists realized there was a lot more "going on" inside Carly than they had previously thought. While this was a major breakthrough, the communication process developed slowly.At age 14, typing became more of a normal tool for her. She learned that by communicating with others, she had some control and power over her environment. She also used a text-to-speech program to communicate with her friends, family, and therapists. I think this is a testimony to how we cannot just write our students off and not challenge them or push for them to succeed. This is also a truly amazing example of the power that assistive technology devices can have for people. 

"iPad Apps for Autistic and Nonverbal Children"

The YouTube video "iPad Apps for Autistic and Nonverbal Children" provides a great view at a variety of really helpful apps that can be used for Autistic and Nonverbal Children. This video also provide a touching story of the impact an iPad can have on this population and their communication. It is a little lengthy, but it is well worth watching! I will provide the link below! Although these apps should not replace social interaction or all communication processes, these can be a great aid and engager for these students! It is also important to note these are not a miracle worker and iPads are not the right tool for everyone! 

Electronic Touch Tablet

Electronic touch tablets are similar to laptops but they are even more portable for students to use and they also have a touchscreen! It is becoming more and more common for students to have this technology already in their home, and most school have mobile iPad Carts and Tablets. Many students benefit from the use of tablets. Auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners are great candidates for tablets. In addition, students with ADHD and autism can also excel when using a tablet. The most popular brand of electronic touch tablets is the iPad. iPads allow students use a myriad of apps to develop their reading, writing, math, listening, and speaking skills. Apps can be downloaded based on a students' strengths, needs, and interests. There are an abundance of apps for different educational needs and also apps for assistive technology!   Since technology tends to be very motivating and engaging for students, it can help many students access the curriculum and experience success. I have used iPads in many aspects of my lessons and it always helps to keep the students engaged and excited to learn!

Type to Learn Software

Another great assistive technology tool is the Type to Learn Program. Type to Learn is a computer program used by students to develop their keyboarding skills. This program is very engaging and interactive for the students through the use of various games to learn where the keys are and which fingers they should use to tap them. This tool is also great for educates because is has diagnostic assessments, to see where students strengths and needs are, formative assessments, as well as summative keyboarding assessments. Accuracy, as well as speed are too things that are strengthened and stressed in this program.  Type to Learn is accessible for hearing-impaired students as well. Type to Learn is a fun way for students to practice their keyboarding skills, so they are able to use the computer to engage with the world around them. This is a great tool for all students not just students with disabilities!

Voice Output Communication Devices

Voice output communication devices are a type of assistive technology that allows students to engage in conversations and communicate with others. These are a great tool for students with a variety of disabilities that are either non-verbal or have difficultly speaking. I have personally seen one of these devices in use for a student with Cerebral Palsy. When proper training is completed these devices can be very successful. One example of a common brand of voice output communication devices is Nova Chat.

Assisted Literacy Software

Assisted literacy software is a type of assistive technology that helps students in the development of literacy skills. This is a grew tool for students with learning disabilities and reading disabilities. These programs provide individualized instruction on foundational reading skills and allows each student to work at their own pace. A common brand for assisted literacy software is CALS.

Portable Word Processor

Portable word processors serve as another great assistive technology tool to help students write. The fact that these are portable make them more accessible and usable throughout the school day because they can travel with the student and fit right on their desk. As with many of the other writing devices, this is great for students who have trouble with fine motor skills, slow writers, and those who are unable to physically write. Some examples of popular portable word processors are Neo, Fusion, and QuickPad. 

Adapted keyboard (Overlays)

There are a vast variety of alternatives to the standard keyboard. My post Keyboard Alternatives lists a few. For this post I wanted to expand on overlays and specific keyboards that can be used. A popular brand of customizable keyboards with interchangeable overlays is IntelliKeys. This brand provides a variety of pre-printed overlays and also can be used in conjunction with the software Overlay Maker 3 to create custom overlays. 

Multisensory Educational Software

According to www.education.com, multisensory learning is "Learning that involves the processing of stimuli through two or more senses (e.g., through hearing as well as seeing)." The use of multisensory educational software is an aid to help students learn in this way. This software is a great assistive technology tool for students with ADHD, students with learning disabilities and to meet the needs of visual learners, kinesthetic learners, as well as auditory learners. One popular brand of multisensory educational software is Touch Math.