Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
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Welcome to today's #LDchat! This is Dan with the Understood team. This will be a supersized chat (45 mins) w/ 5 questions and 2 cohosts! Thanks to experts Jamie Martin (@NEATwithJamie) & @KristinMatzKane for joining us as we discuss putting #AssistiveTech into action!
Q1. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (#IDEA) says that each child who has a disability and needs #SpecialEd and related services will receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). How does (or should) #AssistiveTech factor into FAPE? #LDchat
A1: It’s important for schools to remember the FREE in FAPE. If an IEP team decides that #AssistiveTech is needed, the school needs to provide it. Budgeting and funding tips can be found in U.S. Dept of Ed’s National Education Technology Plan: https://t.co/PqHnqGZQ9z#LDchat
A1: It’s also important for schools to remember that IDEA talks about #AssistiveTech devices AND services. After specific tools are in the hands of students, schools must provide training and support for those tools to be effective. More here: https://t.co/xZXqJE6V27#LDchat
A1: #AssistiveTech can be the piece of the IEP that ensures our children can access the general ed curriculum… this is a key factor of FAPE in #IDEA#LDChat
A1: #AssistiveTech can be the piece of the IEP that ensures our children can access the general ed curriculum… this is a key factor of FAPE in #IDEA#LDChat
A1: #AssistiveTech should be considered each time the IEP team meets to amend the IEP. We tend to think intervention but we also need to think #access. #LDchat
That services part is really important and often forgotten. AT is great, but students need that support to learn how to use it. It's hard to finish or win a race when you're learning how to drive the car during the race. #LDChat
A1: It’s also important for schools to remember that IDEA talks about #AssistiveTech devices AND services. After specific tools are in the hands of students, schools must provide training and support for those tools to be effective. More here: https://t.co/xZXqJE6V27#LDchat
A1: #AssistiveTech can be the piece of the IEP that ensures our children can access the general ed curriculum… this is a key factor of FAPE in #IDEA#LDChat
A1: It can be difficult to keep track of all the #AssistiveTech options available today. IEP teams should seek the help of AT specialists (either in district or independent) to help match tools to specific student needs. That will help achieve the APPROPRIATE in FAPE. #LDchat
A1: It’s important for schools to remember the FREE in FAPE. If an IEP team decides that #AssistiveTech is needed, the school needs to provide it. Budgeting and funding tips can be found in U.S. Dept of Ed’s National Education Technology Plan: https://t.co/PqHnqGZQ9z#LDchat
Can you suggest specific goals for IEP for grade 9 profound dyslexic student that will encourage ATS to be more involved rather than just drop off laptop please
In reply to
@NEATwithJamie, @KristinMatzKane, @UnderstoodOrg
Maybe there should be less focus on the specific tool and more on features? That way they can develop a list of features/supports a student needs & go after specific products later? #LDChat
A2: Just like other parts of the IEP process, #AssistiveTech can include an evaluation which provides data for the team to consider and help make decisions about what is appropriate. #ldchat
A1: It can be difficult to keep track of all the #AssistiveTech options available today. IEP teams should seek the help of AT specialists (either in district or independent) to help match tools to specific student needs. That will help achieve the APPROPRIATE in FAPE. #LDchat
Maybe there should be less focus on the specific tool and more on features? That way they can develop a list of features/supports a student needs & go after specific products later? #LDChat
Maybe there should be less focus on the specific tool and more on features? That way they can develop a list of features/supports a student needs & go after specific products later? #LDChat
A2: When an AT specialist works on a consultation or evaluation, an important step is getting direct feedback from the student. If you listen, kids can tell you what will work and what won’t. They should have a vote in what AT accommodations are included in IEPs and 504s. #LDchat
That services part is really important and often forgotten. AT is great, but students need that support to learn how to use it. It's hard to finish or win a race when you're learning how to drive the car during the race. #LDChat
A1: It’s also important for schools to remember that IDEA talks about #AssistiveTech devices AND services. After specific tools are in the hands of students, schools must provide training and support for those tools to be effective. More here: https://t.co/xZXqJE6V27#LDchat
A2: #AssistiveTech in the #IEP or #504 is an agreement that these tools will be made available to your children as it is listed in the document in every class with each teacher. #ldchat
A2: In the IEP or 504, you will usually see #AssistiveTech described… the specific program, app, feature or tool decision is left up to the team. It can help provide flexibility to the team for a successful match. #ldchat
A2: Back when I was an Orton-Gillingham tutor (long ago), a common accommodation was having a reader and scribe for tests. Today, #AssistiveTech accommodations should have equal billing in IEPs and 504s. Teaching kids how to be independent is crucial. #LDchat
I think that lack of awareness and sometimes fear get in the way. We need to keep working on demystifying #AssistiveTech so that it becomes commonplace. #LDchat
A2: Back when I was an Orton-Gillingham tutor (long ago), a common accommodation was having a reader and scribe for tests. Today, #AssistiveTech accommodations should have equal billing in IEPs and 504s. Teaching kids how to be independent is crucial. #LDchat
Q3. Currently, there is no standard procedure for receiving an #AssistiveTech assessment. What might you need to know about the evaluator to ensure your child is getting a quality assessment? #LDchat
A2: Here’s a thought: If all teachers implemented Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in their classrooms (and made AT tools available to ALL of their students), could IEPs and 504s be a lot shorter? https://t.co/NUeRYzFBCS#LDchat
A3: #AssistiveTech evaluators are most effective when they focus on particular disabilities or areas of AT. Trying to stay on top of the entire array of AT is very difficult. Matching an evaluator to a child is just as important as matching tools to specific needs. #LDchat
Yep, that's the key. When you look at features before tools, you need to know purpose and need. If my need is TTS, I can go with that as opposed to my need being Kurzweil.
#LDChat
A3: When going through the public school process as a parent, I asked lots of questions and did many google searches. Ask if your district has an AT dept or person, connect with them. If not, ask if your state has someone. Most do. #ldchat
Have to admit I am not a fan - works ok for those waiting for tech. I believe #AssistiveTech is the way to go - get rid of scribes - provide the tech and get these Ss independent! #LDchat
A2: Here’s a thought: If all teachers implemented Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in their classrooms (and made AT tools available to ALL of their students), could IEPs and 504s be a lot shorter? https://t.co/NUeRYzFBCS#LDchat
Yep, that's the key. When you look at features before tools, you need to know purpose and need. If my need is TTS, I can go with that as opposed to my need being Kurzweil.
#LDChat
"An #AssistiveTech supervisor from the county district observed and interviewed him. Then a report was created with recommendations and AT options based on my son's specific needs." #LDchathttps://t.co/LcEwWmKlnz
A3: I agree with @NEATwithJamie The more an evaluator understands about #dyslexia#LD#ADHD etc., AND kids AND school classrooms the better they will be able to make appropriate recommendations for success and independence! #ldchat
Thinking beyond the current reality, I see IEPs and 504s as accommodating the shortcomings of the system, which should already be designed to serve all. #LDchat
A2: Here’s a thought: If all teachers implemented Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in their classrooms (and made AT tools available to ALL of their students), could IEPs and 504s be a lot shorter? https://t.co/NUeRYzFBCS#LDchat
A3: I think it’s important for #AssistiveTech evaluators to have appropriate educational experience outside of technology. It would be difficult for me to recommend AT tools to kids with #dyslexia if I didn’t understand kids or dyslexia. #LDchat
A3: I agree with @NEATwithJamie The more an evaluator understands about #dyslexia#LD#ADHD etc., AND kids AND school classrooms the better they will be able to make appropriate recommendations for success and independence! #ldchat
Thinking beyond the current reality, I see IEPs and 504s as accommodating the shortcomings of the system, which should already be designed to serve all. #LDchat
A2: Here’s a thought: If all teachers implemented Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in their classrooms (and made AT tools available to ALL of their students), could IEPs and 504s be a lot shorter? https://t.co/NUeRYzFBCS#LDchat
