AT & Learning Disabilities

In the preceding blog  we looked at how AT can be incorporated into IEPs for students. We learned that before AT devices can be included into the IEP that the IEP team has to review the student and ask certain questions pertaining to that student and their needs. This blog will focus on AT and Learning Disabilities. If you are a teacher or an educator of some capacity, you are going to have students in your class that have some type of learning disability. For those of us who don’t know what a learning disability is, please click HERE. This website does a wonderful job of explaining the definition of the term.  

Learning disabilities will come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It does not discriminate. Learning disabilities are one of the hardest elements a student can face in the classroom. With the help of AT and teacher knowledge, a student who has a learning disability will have the ability to grow with the other students. Below are some examples of how high/low tech devices can be used by students who have learning disabilites.

2 High Tech devices that can be used by student’s with learning disabilities are:

1. Speech Synthesizer – reads text from computer screen to help people with reading and writing difficulties.  

2. Electronic Calendars, Computer Organizers – this will help the student keep his/her schedule.

2 Low Tech devices that can be used by student’s with learning disabilities are:

1. Post-It Notes- can be used to answer questions, to mark a page in a book, or to write a reminder.

2. Digital Watches, Talking Clocks, and Digital Timers – this will help the student to stay on task.

References:
1.http://www.ldanatl.org/new_to_ld/defining.asp
2.http://education.illinois.edu/wp/netfiles.uiuc.edu/tpearl2/www/Learning%20Disabilities%20and%20Assistive%20Technology.htm?uniq=nob20a
3.http://resourcesforfamilies.wikispaces.com/Learning+Disabilities