Common Types of AT Used in the Classroom

Students with or without disabilities may have trouble participating in the classroom.  Assistive Technology (AT) can help students who are having problems communicating, writing, reading, hearing, or seeing the materials being presented during a lesson.  Some teachers have not come in contact with many different types of AT unless a student already comes to us with a certain AT device.  Below I will list some common kinds of AT used in the classroom and the type of learners that would benefit from the specific device.  I will also provide some information about common brands and where you can find more information for the device.

1) Word Prediction Software
Overview- Helps a student with word processing by predicting a word that they were intending on typing.
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics-Spelling and phonetic difficulties, LD, ID, dyslexia
Brands/Resources:http://www.aurora-systems.com/pages/learning.html: Aurora Suite 2005
http://donjohnston.com/cowriter/ : Co:Writer7

2) Talking Word Processor Software
Overview- Provide speech feedback as the student writes/types, echoing each letter as it is typed, and the space bar.
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- LD, ID, Visually Impaired
Brands/Resources: 
http://www.readingmadeez.com/products/talkingwordprocessor.html : Talking Word Processor
http://donjohnston.com/communicate/  : Write Out Loud
http://www.texthelp.com/North-America : TextHelp ,  Read&Write though Windows
http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/ : Text to Speech plug-in for Microsoft Word 

3) Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software

Overview- Helps a student to write without typing or using a keyboard. 

Disabilities/Learning Characteristics-Writing difficulties, poor muscle movement (CP), or struggles with OT.

4) Scan and Read Software
Overview- Students and teachers can scan pictures or text and upload it onto a computer.  The software will then read the text aloud and the students can change the font, size, characters, or highlight the text to have it read back to them.
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- Supports low readers, LD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ESL, ADHD, and students with poor vision.
Brands/Resources:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/openbook-product-page.asp : OpenBook
http://www.wynnwizard.com : Wynn Wizard

5) Books On CD

Overview- Read books aloud for students so they can hear the correct phonetics, rate, voice, and fluency.  Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- Supports low readers, LD, Dyslexia, ID, ESL, ADHD, and low vision.
Brands/Resources:
http://www.audiobooks.com/ : Audio Books for downloads on Iphone or tablet.
http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks : Open Culture has many FREE downloads.
http://www.storynory.com/ : StoryNory has many free audio books for children in your classroom.
http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/order_form.asp : Many books for children, but a subscription is needed!
**You can also create adaptable books, and put your voice onto a power point presentation so that the students are able to listen as you read.  

6) Multisensory Educational Software
Overview- Allows a student to use more than one sense during instruction (ex: hearing as well as seeing). 
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- LD,ID, ADHD, ADD, explores all learning styles.
Brands/Resources:
http://www.touchmath.com/: Touch Math
http://www.earobics.com/overview/sel.php: Earobics 
http://orton-gillingham.com/frmMain.aspx : Orton Gillingham

**The school district that I currently work for uses Earobics for Kindergarten and 1st grade and for the low readers in 2nd grade.  We have seen such a success with this multisensory approach especially with our ID students.  

7) Adapted Keyboards
Overview- Keyboards may not be beneficial for all types of students, especially those with difficulties in motor control. Adapted Keyboards are structured in a variety of ways to adapt typing. Along with keyboards, there are also trackballs, mouse adaptations, and switches. 
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- CP or low gross motor skills.
Brands/Resources:
http://www.enablemart.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=keyboards : Provides a variety of keyboard options.
http://www.infogrip.com/products/keyboards/ : Infogrip Keyboards.
http://www.maltron.com/keyboard-info : Maltron (one handed keyboards, mouth/handstick keyboards, expanded keyboards).

8) Portable Word Processor

Overview- A portable word processor is lightweight device that is easy to transport (e.g., from classroom to home). It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.

Disabilities/ Learning Characteristics- Students who struggle with writing.

Brands: Neo, Fusion, Quickpad.

Resources:

 http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/961-portable-word-processors.gs

9) Assisted Literacy Software

Overview- Assisted literacy software is software that helps student develop their literacy skills. 

Disabilities/Learning Characteristics- Students with reading disabilities, such as dyslexia. 

One example that I found is the Computer Assisted Literacy Solution (CALS). CALS helps students develop phonemic awareness, decoding and comprehension skills, as well as reading fluency. Students are identified by their teachers as having reading difficulties or challenges. The students then use computer programs to develop their reading skills.

10) Voice Output Communication Device (VOCD)
Overview- Provides opportunities to students with developmental disabilities, cognitive disabilities, or non-verbal with communicating socially and academically. 
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics-ID, Autisim, Non-Verbal
Brands/Resources:
http://www.ttacnews.vcu.edu/2011/01/evidence-based-practice-for-communication-includes-speech-generating-devices/ : Virginia Department of Education (Includes: GoTalk and SpringBoard)

The video below is a great example of how to teach in the moment, and also how to use a VOCD efficiently.

11) Type to Learn Software
Overview- This software provides students with keyboarding skills, and typing fluency.
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics-Low gross motor skills, learning disabled, and any student who has trouble typing.
Brands/Resources:
http://ttl4.sunburst.com/ : Type to Learn
http://www.typinginstructor.com/ : Typing Instructor
http://www.bytesoflearning.com/english/view/1543: Ultra Key

12) Electronic Touch Tablet

Overview-  An interactive electronic tool that let's students use a multisensory approach with just a touch screen portable device.
Disabilities/Learning Characteristics-Low gross motor skills, learning disabled, ADHD, Autisim, ID, LD, Visually Impaired.
Brands/Resources:
Nexus 10 , Google Android, Apple Ipad

As you can see, there is a large variety of AT materials, devices, and software available to assist with participation for a disabled student in your classroom.  Many of these software options would also benefit your general education students and support their writing, reading, and typing.