Group items tagged

"The Diagnostic Implementation and Dashboard System (DIDs) was developed for educators to better understand and then apply effective technology solutions aligned with evidence-based writing interventions."

Geocaching is a high tech treasure hunt that utilizes a GPS receiver to determine a cache's location. Coaches are hidden all over the world by geocachers who post latitude and longitude coordinates online and challenge other to find them. A GPS receiver can pinpoint one's location anywhere on the Earth to within several meters.

resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues. See the world through your students' eyes Understood's Through Your Child's Eyes is a one-of-a-kind tool. Its videos and simulations allow you to experience what it's like for your students to struggle with reading, writing, math, organization or staying focused. Hear stories from children and find out from experts why these tasks can be so challenging for some kids. And learn strategies to help your students thrive. Create your personalized experience on Understood.org now. http://u.org/1nWvuWK

Speaking of Apps June 24, 2013 11:44 AM by Megan Sutton AAC (alternative and augmentative communication) for aphasia is a challenging area of practice for many Speech-Language Pathologists. Whereas most AAC devices and apps help those who have difficulty physically speaking, people with aphasia need help overcoming the underlying language disorder on top of any speech difficulties.

Hereward College is a general FE College in Coventry providing both day and residential places. We welcome all students including those with diverse and complex support requirements. In addition to residential students, day disabled and non disabled students also attend the College. We promote an all-inclusive, broad and balanced curriculum, which provides all students with relevant and challenging learning opportunities. We are actively encouraging learners with disabilities and able-bodied students to work together in order to help personal development, improve social skills, build self-confidence, develop teamwork and support independence for both the disabled and non-disabled students.Feedback from students has shown us that they like the inclusiveness of the College population. Whatever your interests and needs, you can pick and mix from a wide range of courses and services to enable you to develop your skills and confidence and follow your dreams, regardless of any disability, impairment or learning difficulty. We are based in Coventry with all the exciting venues and opportunities that a city has to offer and close to excellent transport networks (55 minutes from London by train).

There is a rapidly growing body of research that demonstrates the positive effects of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention on the communication of children and adults with complex communication needs. Despite the positive impact of many AAC interventions, however, many individuals with complex communication needs continue to experience serious challenges participating in educational, vocational, healthcare, and community environments. In this paper, we apply the framework proposed by the International Classifi cation of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to illustrate the need to re-think AAC intervention to improve outcomes for individuals with complex communication needs, and to foster a new generation of intervention research that will provide a solid foundation for improved services. Specifi cally, the paper emphasizes the need to take a more holistic view of communication intervention and highlights the following key principles to guide AAC intervention and research: (a) build on the individual ' s strengths and focus on the integration of skills to maximize communication, (b) focus on the individual ' s participation in real-world contexts, (c) address psychosocial factors as well as skills, and (d) attend to extrinsic environmental factors as well as intrinsic factors related to the individual who requires AAC.

Children and adults with developmental delays have benefited from the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to develop language skills necessary for more generative and functional communication. Beginning communicators however, have historically been considered too young or too pre-linguistic and therefore have not been introduced to AAC systems until behaviors, thought to be prerequisites, have been noted. Recent research and theories about early communication development have challenged this traditional practice and broadened the scope of what is considered to be AAC. Practitioners and parents unfamiliar with early AAC options may not recognize possible applications of communication strategies used with typically developing children and older persons with developmental disabilities. AAC is applicable at all ages for learning communication roles and behaviors as well as for functional communication for persons who do not yet demonstrate clear referential symbol use. This article addresses nine questions that are frequently asked about early introduction of AAC systems to children under 3 years of age. Rationales and strategies are provided that can assist early interventionists and parents in considering AAC options for children at risk for being unintelligible or non-speaking.

"Life is filled with chaos, and we have to learn how to work and solve problems in the midst of it every day. These interactive lessons give you the opportunity to experience these daily challenges without real-world consequences. Are you an educator? Learn more about the Everyday Life project."

So this year the speech path in our building went to a conference about the core vocabulary board. Before being introduced to this we were solely trying to use the PECs (Picture Exchange Communication System) and with only myself and an aid in the room regularly it was challenging to initially teach the students how to use it. So after she attended this conference she said this may be a great supplement to PECs and may be easier to use with just two adults regularly in the room. 

An article characterizing The Least Dangerous Assumption, a shift in paradigm that drives many expectations and practices when working with people with disabilities

Ynez Peterson's portaportal . OTR working with students with many challenges in learning.TechKnowledgy 09

Lawsuit against colleges using Kindle DX to deliver content as the DX does not have accessible menus for the visually impaired in order to turn on the text-to-speech function within the digital textbook

"When used intentionally and appropriately, technology and interactive media are effective tools to support learning and development. Intentional use requires early childhood teachers and administrators to have information and resources regarding the nature of these tools and the implications of their use with children. Limitations on the use of technology and media are important. Special considerations must be given to the use of technology with infants and toddlers. Attention to digital citizenship and equitable access is essential. Ongoing research and professional development are needed."

Can you help the students in these scenarios?

"Making tactile books for children is not as challenging as you may think, and to make it even easier we have collected lots of information and resources to help you in your task"

Wonderful listing of free fun online activities for students with complex learning challenges!

Welcome to BridgingApps! Many teachers have found using mobile devices with their students with and without disabilities to be beneficial in numerous ways. However, finding appropriate apps and accessories to meet the needs of your students and your classroom can be challenging and confusing. We view our website as a shortcut in that process. We focus on apps that have been designed to address a particular need or have been creatively adapted by users to meet a specific need. Finding apps is just the first step in an exciting journey of discovery with your students that will involve trial and error. All of the app reviews on our website have been conducted by therapists or special education teachers, and they have been trialed with someone who has a disability. We invite you to explore these pages to help you find the tools you need to get started and to share best practices with us on your journey of discovery.

"We believe that it is more important to focus on the person who will be using the technology, rather than the device itself. We assume that you are here because you want to improve a skill or creatively compensate for a deficit that may be preventing a person with a disability from maximizing their highest potential."

The DLM® project is guided by the core belief that all students should have access to challenging grade-level content. The new DLM Alternate Assessment System will let students with significant cognitive disabilities show what they know in ways that traditional multiple-choice tests cannot. The DLM system is designed to map a student's learning throughout the year. The system will use items and tasks that are embedded in day-to-day instruction. In this way, testing happens as part of instruction, which both informs teaching and benefits students. An end of the year assessment will be created for states that want to include a summative test in addition to the instructionally embedded system.

PrAACtical AAC is written by two professors of speech-language pathology, Robin Parker and Carole Zangari, who are passionate about AAC. Our blog is a virtual space where we can muse aloud about the state of the field, share information about implementing AAC strategies, provide resources, and discuss news of interest to the AAC community. You can read more about our blogging journey here and here. PrAACtical AAC's Mission: To improve the level of AAC services available to individuals with significant communication challenges by supporting speech-language pathologists and other interested stakeholders-

excellent resource every day! searchable and wonderful