In my previous blog I discussed how AT can be included in students' IEP goals. In this post, I am going to focus on how AT can support students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD or LD) and students with Sensory Disabilities (SD).
Students with Learning Disabilities:
- Are considered "puzzling students"
- Process information in unique ways that cause interference during learning activities
- Struggle with reading (dyslexia), math (dyscalculia) and written language (dysgraphia)
- Have average or above average IQs
- Considered a compatible disability; students with learning disabilities often also have attention deficits
- To learn more about students with LD click the image below or check out my Prezi presentation on SLD.
- Reading Guides: index cards (3x5 or 4x6) help students read and focus on one line of text at a time. Sometimes, students with dyslexia will pick up letter and words from other lines as they read.
- Calculator: allows the student to complete simple mathematical calculations that are difficult due to processing delays, and then the student can complete complex mathematical tasks.
- Speech to text Software: Dragon software allows the student to overcome processing delays and enable the student to express his/her ideas
- Picture Based Writing Program: reading and writing with pictures
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Students with Sensory Disabilities:
- Includes students with visual impairments, are deaf and/or hard of hearing
- Difficulty accessing printed text in small print
- Difficulty hearing verbal instructions
- To Learn more about students with sensory disabilities click here.
- Voice amplifier box: Teacher wears a microphone and his/her voice is amplified through a speaker
- Books on CD: students listen to books
- Scanner/OCR: scan printed materials and concert into clearly spoken synthesized speech
- Toggle Keys and High Contrast Colors: the student hears tones when pressing caption, number and scroll lock key; and color contrast on the screen apps can increase vision when on using the computer
I hope this blog was informative and has influenced your understanding of how technology can support students with learning and sensory disabilities. There is a variety of low- and high-technology available... just need to do a little research!
References:
Friend, M. (2010). Special education: Contemporary perspectives for school professionals. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fada.osu.edu%2Fresources%2Ffastfacts%2FSensory-Impairment-FF.pdf&ei=bnrpUdGUM_as4AO3vIGoCQ&usg=AFQjCNHKaAF9fcHXF-NiTVC-1mH-YAEa7Q&sig2=RzEd_7GwVF-RGnniBrT2kQ&bvm=bv.49478099,d.dmg
I enjoyed viewing the Prezi you posted. It offered concise information on SLD. The information was broken down so that it was easy to understand. I particularly enjoyed the video that put you into the student with a learning disabilities shoes.
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