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Welcome to today's #ldchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. We're joined today by #AssistiveTech expert Jamie Martin (@ATDyslexia) to discuss Assistive Technology 101!
Edie from Washington, DC. Academic therapist building an international tribe of teachers and parents of teens and young adults with ADHD. My kids call me the Queen of Technology. #LDchat@UnderstoodOrg
A1: (1/2) My working definition of #AssistiveTech has always been: “Technology used by individuals with disabilities or learning differences to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.” #LDchat
A1: (2/2) That being said, people without disabilities can certainly use #AssistiveTech to be more productive. That’s why it’s important for folks to understand AT’s role in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) - technology helps provide choices that work for everyone. #LDchat
A1: AT is what levels the playing field for learning. Allowing Ss to independently access curriculum and all other platforms. Low tech: pencil grip High tech: AAC devices #LDchat
A1. To me, #AssistiveTech is any device, of any tech level, that helps Ss be successfuly in the learning environment. Anything from pencil grips and slant boards to specialized communication boards or iPads. #ldchat
A1 - IDEA definition - "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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability." (essentially anything). #LDchat
#LDchat LD and ADHD tools? Hi-tech choice: @Webspiration for college students and adults (online mind mapping). The same people make @InspirationSW My favorite low-tech are graphic organizers (Google Search). #LDchat
In reply to
@UnderstoodOrg, @Webspiration, @InspirationSW
A1: What we might consider low-tech today was likely in the high-tech category back in the day. Examples are books on tape (wait, what are those?) and audio recorders. In the app generation, I like that many of these individual tools can now be collected in one device. #LDchat
Ah yes...that's when we are faced with statements of "that's cheating" or "I want my Ss do be able to do it themselves." #LDchat Makes me super sad but happy to facilitate and support growth mind set!
Q2. #AssistiveTech may help kids with many different learning and attention issues, but how might it help kids with reading and writing issues, specifically? #ldchat
But when you ask Ts how the students are accessing grade level content, they respond, "We read it to them." So it's ok to depend on adults (dependence ) vs. using tech (independence)? #LDchat
Ah yes...that's when we are faced with statements of "that's cheating" or "I want my Ss do be able to do it themselves." #LDchat Makes me super sad but happy to facilitate and support growth mind set!
A2: When introducing people to #AssistiveTech for reading and writing issues, I like to talk about the “Big 5” --> Text-to-Speech, Dictation, Word Prediction, Electronic Graphic Organizers, and Contextual Spell & Grammar Checkers #LDchat#Dyslexia#Dysgraphia
A2 - Technology promotes success and independence for Ss with reading and writing challenges. To deny them the tools could be educational malpractice. (sorry, on my soapbox). #LDchat
A2: When introducing people to #AssistiveTech for reading and writing issues, I like to talk about the “Big 5” --> Text-to-Speech, Dictation, Word Prediction, Electronic Graphic Organizers, and Contextual Spell & Grammar Checkers #LDchat#Dyslexia#Dysgraphia
Yeah. Intentions are so good but unknown barriers even occur when reading all things to Ss, perhaps fluctuation of voice can throw a Ss off & actually may be as accessing as one thinks. #LDchat Not to mention, then reliance is built on Ts & minimal Ss independence, if any at all
A2. Some Ss simply cannot access a physical, printed book. Something like a digital book, or text-to-speech, can be the difference between reading and not reading. #ldchat
A2. College students with LD and ADHD often struggle. The focus is on comprehension and organization, not decoding. AT with academic support is the best way (mentors, professors, fellow students). Watch out for social skills. #LDchat
A2: In my opinion, the most transformative #AssistiveTech tool for kids with #Dyslexia is text-to-speech technology, including TTS tools that use Optical Character Recognition (OCR). TTS can conquer illiteracy in a matter of seconds. #LDchat
Do we need to promote a growth mindset for Ts as well? They can expand their repetoire of instructional methods to meet the needs of all learners. #LDchat
Do we need to promote a growth mindset for Ts as well? They can expand their repetoire of instructional methods to meet the needs of all learners. #LDchat
A2: Closed captions is considered time spent reading and will improve literacy skills! I say this often; but I feel it's one of the most UNDERused accommodations in the classroom & can be so impactful for all Ss #LDchat
A2: For kids with reading and writing issues, #AssistiveTech can be a key factor toward achieving three important things: INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, and SUCCESS #LDchat
A2: In my opinion, the most transformative #AssistiveTech tool for kids with #Dyslexia is text-to-speech technology, including TTS tools that use Optical Character Recognition (OCR). TTS can conquer illiteracy in a matter of seconds. #LDchat
A3: Parents and teachers shouldn’t feel like they have to make AT decisions alone. Seek the help of an #AssistiveTech specialist, who can provide a consultation, evaluation, training, and coaching. #LDchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
A3 - I use the SETT Framework to guide my AT recommendations. Need to consider the Student, the Environment, the Tasks they need to complete and then make Tool recommendations. Also need to Train people if they don't know how to implement the tech and then Trial it. #LDchat
A1. Progress Monitoring. If a tool doesn't help the S make gains, it's time to try something else. Like Sherlock said, "Data, data data. I cannot make bricks without clay." #ldchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
A3: Don’t forget that the kids get a vote! #AssistiveTech trials should be done as part of the selection process. Tools need to feel comfortable and usable in order to be effective. #LDchat
In Indiana, Ss with qualifying print disabilities get specialized formats at NO cost through Indiana Center for Accessible Materials. https://t.co/JMR32B0unP What state are you in? #LDchat
In reply to
@angela_lange25, @ATDyslexia, @UnderstoodOrg
A3. Choosing AT for ADHD and LD begins with strengths. What are the skills that can be accentuated? Look at the challenges, then recognize the gap. Close it. The person selecting it should know both special ed and technology. Teachers must be trained. #LDchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
A3: When considering #AssistiveTech, a good place to start is with tools that work with the platform your child is already using. Many kids don’t want to use devices that are different than the ones their peers are using. https://t.co/KsJzkwa7Ob#LDchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
"#AssistiveTech is an ongoing discussion with our son and his team. We continue to learn and make adjustments year after year and from class to class." #ldchathttps://t.co/LcEwWmKlnz
Iowa I have gotten so many round about answers over the years & this year I have a Ss on a 504 plan & the administration stated the parents have to pay for AT? I had never heard of that! Thanks for your response! #ldchat
@ATDyslexia@UnderstoodOrg what advice do you have for families or educators who are trying to get access to AT for students & the school district says parents only can provide those services if they pay for it?? Thanks for any tips #ldchat
