Assistive Technology

Defining Assistive Technology:

High Tech: Devices that usually cost more money and are very complex for example a motorized wheelchair, a communication board, adapted vehicle, etc.

Low Tech: Devices that are not very expensive or difficult for a child to use. These include calculators, tape recorders, adapted eating utensils, dressing aids, writing aids, canes, walkers etc.

No Tech: Devices that assist a student, but are not actually electronic. For example, foam glued onto pages to make turning them easier,

Augmentative Communication:Augmentative, sometimes referred to as alternative communication (AAC) is a method of communication used by individuals with severe speech and language disabilities, those who have Cerebral Palsy, Autism, ALS, suffered from a stroke, etc. AAC is for those individuals who are unable to use verbal speech yet are cognitively able or when speech is extremely difficult to understand. These individuals will use gestures, communications boards, pictures, symbols, drawings or a combination of all of these. An individual would point to a single meaning picture

Alternative Communication: sometimes referred to as augmentative communication (see above).

I was able to play around with mmFollow on the website given to us by Jennie. I actually found the device to be more confusing and distracting to me than my actual mouse cursor. Any thoughts?

Also, the simulations were cool but some seemed not to work properly, unless that was the idea. I was very frustrated when I tried to work with them.

Assistive Technology allows students to have a wider access to curriculum materials and this technology also makes it easier for students to gain a deeper understanding of materials because it allows them to participate more fully in activities.