Assistive Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom

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Assistive Technology in the Early Childhood
Classroom

• Patti Drescher
• AT Consultant

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Activities in EC Classroom

• Communication
• Play
• Literacy

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Eyegaze Board

• The non-speaking person looks at a picture and
  the person on the other side of the acrylic board
  follows that person gaze to interpret the
  person's message
• Feedback is important to confirm the selection
  and to allow error correction in case of a
  misinterpretation.

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Big Mack

• Voice output communication device with single
  message output.
• 5 inch switch surface area.
• Easy to program
• Recording time of 75 seconds.
• One-shot timer to prevent message repetition if
  user continually activates the switch.

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Talking Symbols

• Record a 10 second message and add a matching
  symbol.
• Mount the notepad on any surface using its
  Velcro strip or internal magnet.
• You can add motivational messages, tasks,
  reminders and more.
• Light touch, 2" square activation area.
• Supplied in packs of 3

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Sequencer/Step by Step

• Voice output communication device with multiple
  message output.
• Record messages in preset order to play back in
  succession

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Randomizer

• Record a series of messages and play them back in
  a random order
• Rolling dice, choosing teams, choosing
  activities, playing games, e.g. Simon Says, Rock
  Paper Scissors, and many more applications

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Talking Photo Album

• Holds standard 4? x 6? photos.
• Includes a total of 24 pages, each with a
  individual message capacity of 10 seconds.
• User squeezes Play button to activate speech.
• Great for talking stories, communication books,
  step-by-step instructions, memory books and
  personal information

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Prox Talker

• Developed for individuals who communicate well
  with PECS but would benefit from the addition of
  verbal communication.
• Rugged construction to withstand rough handling.
• Reliable and easy to use.
• 80 pre-recorded sound tags (male or female).
• 20 blank sound tags.

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Comboard

• Clock-type scanner which uses up to two switches
  to operate a motor-driven pointer.
• User presses a switch until the pointer points to
  the desired picture or word, then releases the
  switch to stop pointer movement. 
• Pointer movement speed is adjustable

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Single Switches

• Variety of sizes, shapes, colors, method of
  activation

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Mounting

• Very easy to set up and re-set in any position
• Easy to position, with adjustable arm length, arm
  angle, and switch angle

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Wireless Switches

• require no cords or connections and are used to
  control an array of devices used with computers
  and other appliances
• Have transmitter and receiver

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PowerLink

• Easy set up with built-in display and a simple
  new design
• Powerful access with six modes of control
• Accurate programming and data collection
• Flexible outlets allow custom positioning of up
  to twoappliances, activating independently
• Linkable wireless technology for use with
  multiple Big or Jelly Beamer switches
• Two switch input jacks

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IntelliKeys

• IntelliKeys plugs into the computer's USB port
  and provides access for anyone who has difficulty
  using a standard keyboard.
• Comes with standard overlays or make your own.

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BigKeys

• One inch square keys, four times the size of
  standard keys but keyboard is standard size.

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Big Track Trackball

• 3 inch trackball (largest trackball available).
• The large ball requires less fine motor control
  than a standard trackball
• It has a left and a right mouse click button
  located behind the trackball to avoid unwanted
  mouse clicks.
• Switch adapted version

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Single Button Mouse

• Young children can be confused about whether to
  use the right or left button on a mouse, or may
  accidentally press the right click button
• Tiny single-button mouse with no scroll wheel,
  that's easy to control and made of rugged plastic
  for strength and durability

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Touch Monitor

• Fingers become the mouse
• Less abstract than traditional mouse
• Can be add-on or integrated

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Switch Interface

• Connect standard switches to operate switch
  enabled software.

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Battery Adapter

• Toys and other battery-operated appliances can be
  set up to be switched ON and OFF using any Single
  Switch and a Battery Adaptor.

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All Turn It Spinner

• Provides students with many opportunities to
  interact with their peers in a variety of
  classroom settings.
• Enables random selections for choosing groups or
  playing games of chance like bingo, as an
  alternative to rolling dice

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Switch Accessible Books
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Switch Toys

• Switch Adapted Bubble Machine

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Switch Latch Timer
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Teacher Tools

• Technology to assist teachers

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Time Timer

• Provides the ability to judge how much time is
  left without having to know how to tell the time
• Reinforces the sense of elapsed time with a
  graphicdepiction of the time remaining.
• Can be used to set time limits, measure the
  duration of activities and train students to make
  better use of available time.

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Boardmaker

• Graphics database
• Make a professional-looking communication
  displays
• Templates for most AAC devices
• Import photos or custom-drawn pictures.
• Make worksheets, picture instruction sheets,
  reading books, journals

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PogoBoards

• Online program to make communication boards
• Subscription service
• Use it anywhere you have internet access

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Overlay Maker

• To create IntellliKeys overlays
• Can also download free premade overlays from the
  Activity Exchange http//aex.intellitools.com

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Resources

• AbleNet www.ablenetinc.com
• Attainment www.attainmentcompany.com
• Enabling Devices www.enablingdevices.com
• IntelliTools www.intellitools.com