Another major form of assistive technology that I use in my classroom is PECS.  PECS stands for picture exchange communication system.  The primary purpose of PECS is to initiate communication.  PECS uses a software program called Boardmaker.  In this software there are pictures to print out to use for communication.  Below are some pictures and examples of what can be done with Boardmaker and PECS  My students do a great job of communicating with PECS.  How they use this program is hand over a PECS picture to me or another staff in exchange for something they want.  For example if a student needs to cut something, and they need scissors, then they need to hand over the pictures "I want" and "Scissors."  This is extremely helpful for my non-verbal students.         

blog on PhotoPeach

In my current classroom, almost all of my special education students use some form of assistive technology.  For the students I have had for awhile, who came to me without any kind of assistive technology, it is great to see the progress they have all made with it. 

Here is a great website for parents, teachers, or anyone needing extra help with assistive technology.

http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education

Here are some more examples of assistive technology that could help your child learn to the best of his or her ability.

Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams

This is a great video my professor posted in one of our class powerpoint presentations.  It is a 10 minute video but so worth watching to learn about different types of Assistive Technologies that are out there in this world that many of us do not know about...  Watching this video may help you help your students in your classroom.

Some examples of Assistive Technology are iPads, computers, iPhones, iPods, etc...

Welcome to my blog on Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs! 

Assistive Technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. Assistive Technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology.)

 If your child has a learning disability they may benefit from assistive technology.  They can also be used to help students become more independent in school and home life.